Posts Tagged ‘shell motif’

Keady Hill Houses 554-556 Swanston Street, Carlton. Melbourne, Victoria

Keady Hill Houses 554-556 Swanston Street, Carlton

Like a number former terrace houses around inner Melbourne, this row of two former homes since 1995 has been used as a brothel1  (known as “Manhattan Terrace” and 556 formerly as “Club 556″).   The otherwise elegant Victorian Italianate pair were built in 1880 and unlike many used for similar purposes appears to be in remarkably good condition externally, with their elaborate detail and symmetry, including their parapet urn and balustrade largely intact (although the windows, doors and transoms have been modified).

57-69 Spensely Street, Clifton Hill. Melbourne, Victoria

Terraces (59-69) and Corner Shop (57) in Spensely Street, Clifton Hill

The Clifton Hill estate was developed in the 1870s and with its own railway station opening in 1888 quickly sprouted a number of boom terrace rows.  This row of seven (including corner shop) erected the same year in the Queen Anne style and is one of the most consistent and richly decorated in suburban Melbourne.

They were developed by T Smith for Charles Abbott in 18881

8-14 Morang Road, Hawthorn. Melbourne, Victoria

Terrace Houses: 8-14 Morang Road, Hawthorn. Melbourne, Victoria

Despite being some of the architecturally most impressive in the area, this row of five double storey Hawthorn (polychrome) brick houses is scarcely mentioned in official heritage studies, particularly the Morang Road precinct1, although neighbouring single storey terraces are.  Perhaps it is assumed.  In any case these boom style Italianate terraces were erected in 1887 (as indicated on the parapet) as a speculative development, exploiting the proximity to Hawthorn railway station which had increased in prominence with the line’s extension to Camberwell.

Elsie Terrace and Shop: 2-8 Portman Street, Zetland. Sydney, New South Wales

"Elsie Terrace" and Shop: 2-8 Portman Street, Zetland. Sydney, New South Wales

While much of Zetland is undergoing urban renewal as part of the Green Square project, a small pocket of the original Waterloo estate developed mostly in the 1885 stands much as it did, the Zetland Conservation Area1.  The row of three double storey Italianate terrace homes is named “Elsie Terrace” and was erected in 1886 as indicated on its central pediment.

57 Morrah Street, Parkville. Melbourne, Victoria

Freestanding Terrace: 57 Morrah Street, Parkville. Melbourne, Victoria

Houses like this freestanding boom terrace style home are my personal favourites and Parkville is a place which abounds in such examples of high Victoriana.  Unrendered and painted in mustard to simulate sandstone, this particular home was built in 1882 1 and retains many of its original features.  Though it appears to currently be undergoing renovations, hopefully much of its character can be preserved.

Surreyford: 3 Bedford Avenue, Surrey Hills. Melbourne, Victoria

Freestanding Terrace: "Surreyford" 3 Bedford Avenue, Surrey Hills. Melbourne, Victoria

Some 14 kilometres east of Melbourne’s CBD, close to Surrey Hills railway station can be found this rare and grand freestanding double storey terrace house named “Surreyford”.

This terrace was erected in 1889, a year after the railway to Lilydale was duplicated and it is one of a number of homes of this era built nearby although they are mostly single storey villas.

7 McCully Street, Ascot Vale. Melbourne, Victoria

Freestanding Terrace House: 7 McCully Street, Ascot Vale. Melbourne, Victoria

This freestanding boom style double storey terrace is unfortunately not heritage protected and is in an unrenovated state.  Its double storey verandah balustrade, iron lacework and roof has been removed with a single column and decking all that remains and there are large visible cracks on the facade.  Still the facade is largely in its original condition and the lack of verandah reveals a  richly decorated parapet and party walls, a pair of plain French windows on the upper storey as well as detailed ground level facade featuring a cluster of windows with arched mouldings and bracketed ledges as well as a timber framed Victorian door complete with decorated fanlight and sidelights.


Recent Comments
  • Ben: Beautiful, functional terraces (inside & out) within a great location. Clever use of space with enormous...
  • Leah: Hello I live at 15 Simpson Street. It has been lovingly preserved. 15 Simpson Street is divded into four...
  • timothy walker: Is this property for sale or rent. How much garden area is there?
  • timothy walker: I am interested in moving to Castlemaine. Is this property for sale or for rent?
  • MarkD: I’ve seen them hundreds of time and always known them as Shakespeare Terrace, but Shakspeare Terrace is...