Former Terrace Houses: 40 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. Melbourne, Victoria

This row of three Queen Anne style Edwardian terraces now has the same street address and have been divided into several units.

It consists of two symmetrical terraces built right up to the street and a third set back concertina style with a variation in decoration.

The main feature of each house, constructed of “blood and bone” red brick and render is the central half timbered gable projecting from the hipped terracotta tile capped roof. The gable with its finial,combined with the tall chimneys creates a picturesque sillhouette albeit with the backdrop of modern hospital towers. The form of the gable cascades through the verandah divided into three bays on each house by very tall turned wood verandah posts spaced in between by fringe and brackets in cast iron lace and the palisade fence at ground level. Long pendants mark the midpoint of each bay Each party wall has vermiculation in render to mark each floor adding to the picturesque appearance. The balustrade is detailed with a repetition of patterned panels. The third terrace differs in design, with an open wooden frieze and brackets letting in more light. A large rectangular wooden panel complete with square and diamond patterns provides an unusual focal point adding interest along with the taller carved fretwork brackets and bolder frieze below. This may have originally been a pair given the alignment of the hallways, side by side along the middle party wall. Edwardian hallmarks of this third terrace may indicate that it was constructed as a later addition, possibly around the turn of the century while the neighbouring terraces, given the cast iron, possibly mid 1890s.

This row has heritage protection under City of Yarra’s heritage overlay HO361 and has recently been acquired by the adjacent St Vincent’s Hospital.