Ballarat Terrace: 227-231 Lydiard Street. Soldiers Hill, Victoria

Ballarat Terrace, built in 1889, is about as close to the Melbourne boom style of terrace that you can find outside of Melbourne. The terrace is fully restored and operates as a bed and breakfast.

It was designed for publican Hugh Raverty by local architect firm James and Piper.¹

Architecturally it features a large parapet central to all three of the houses. The large round pediment features the name of the terrace and is adorned by urns, flanked by scrolls above a cornice with a deep modillion. The terraces themselves are richly decorated with polychrome brick, primarily red including patterns emulating voussoir and quoins.  The two storey verandahs are supported by two cast iron columns each, between them are framed cast iron balcony decorations.  The double hung windows have additional window surrounds split by cast iron columns.  The doors have large wooden surrounds with detailed etched glass panels. The mid terrace bears the name “Amberfield” in 1940s style plaque, of the origins of this naming I’m not quite sure.

Ballarat Terrace is afforded special heritage protection under its own City of Ballarat heritage overlay HO86². Although it is of state significance, it is not listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.