Terraced Houses: 300-308 Malvern Road, Prahran. Melbourne, Victoria

This row of five wide terraced homes forms an important Victorian streetscape in Prahran.  It is set back from the street, looking out to the brooding large Commission Towers of the Prahran government housing estate opposite.

The terraces are simple in style.  The gable roofs are hidden by a tall parapet which is lined with classical balustrade and urns (most of which are missing).  The urns are atop both the party walls and intermediate piers which mark the midpoints of each terraces.  The corrugated iron verandah roof angles out sharply with its party walls scantly decorated.  Each compartment is divided by two cast iron columns which interestingly are only present on the upper level of the verandah, with brackets, fringe and balustrade in iron lace.  The lower level is largely absent of decoration, however has a large faceted bay window and a door with decorative window surrounds.

300 (pictured right) was once known as ‘Pink House’.  During the 1960s the house was purchased by a local church with funds raised from the sale of the chapel to attract young people to the congregation.  Several others in the area were also preserved in this way, however the practice was later discontinued.