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Airlie, 254-260 Domain Road, South Yarra

Gould, Meredith23/07/1984

Record details

Title:

Creator:

Gould, Meredith

Date of work:

23/07/1984

Reference number:

BIF-SY 102520

Level of description:

Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)

Type of materials:

Graphic materials

Part of:

Series: South Yarra (BIF-SY)

Access restrictions:

UnrestrictedOpen access.

Use restrictions:

UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.

General notes:

Building Address: 260 Domain Road - Corner Domain and Punt RoadsBuilding Title: AirlieBuilding Type: Police Academy ; Original use - HouseStyle: Italianate/BaroquePeriod: VictorianConstruction date: 1873 & later addition c.1920 ; Source: Ratebooks registerNotable features/Significance: An imposing two storey Victorian house with double bay to Domain Road and a tower over the principal entrance on the west side. The eaves are heavily moulded and bracketed under a slate roof with lead cappings and cast iron embellishment to the upswept tower. Significant additions in the twentieth century have resulted in a colonnaded ground floor verandah and baroque porte cochere, which is relatively harmonious with the 1870's structure. The property includes a substantial redbrick and stone fence and elegant polychrome outbuildings by W. Salway which are substantially intact. Notable features include the fence; elaborate/high standard design of cement rendered surfaces.Statement of Significance: Airlie is of historical significance as a remnant of the early development south of the Yarra River, and because of the important and interesting uses to which the building has been put. David Ogilvy purchased the land on which Airlie was later built in one of the earliest land sales south of the Yarra, in 1846. While Airlie appears to be Ogilvy's second house on his property, and while the property's curtilage has been substantially reduced over the years, the house remains as a reminder of the large estates that characterised the early development of South Yarra. For its first seventy years Airlie functioned as a residence, owned by a number of prominent Victorians, including George Chirnside of Werribee. But its subsequent uses are historically most significant. In 1942 and 1943 Airlie was Headquarters for Special Operations Australia, also known as 'Z' Special Unit, which organised coastwatchers and intelligence missions into Japanese occupied territory by allied servicemen. The house reverted to private ownership after the war, but was acquired by the Health Department in 1950 and converted to a Tuberculosis clinic, for which purpose it was used until being given to the Police Department in 1957 for a training college. Airlie has thus played a substantial role in Victoria's wartime, health and police history. Airlie is of architectural significance as an example of a relatively early South Yarra mansion. Although it has been altered over the years, its character as a substantial mansion house remains, providing an idea of the lifestyle of Melbourne's 19th and early 20th century elites.Alterations and Recommendations: Fence repaired (sympathetic - no recommendations)Other Comments: Property key: 102520 - 254-260 Domain Rd. 'Airlie' takes its name from the Dukes of Airlie in Scotland. West wall to 252 Domain Road is of interest. (1) MCC Building Permit Application; (2) Old Titles Office; (3) MCC Ratebooks (4) Melbourne Street Directories.Architect: Coach house and stables complex built 1890 : Architect William SalwayBuilder : Joseph Dean, 50 Capel Street West Melbourne (outbuildings)Owner: The house stands at the south east corner of Crown Land Portion No 8 which was bought at auction by David Ogilvy on 23 March 1846 for #140.The new owner built a house on the site of the present Witchwood Close and laid out a vineyard which stretched down the hill towards the River Yarra.Subsequent to Ogilvy's death, in 1871, his widow sold the original house, which had been called 'Airlie Bank' and directed the existing house to be built on the corner of Domain and Punt Roads in 1873.

Names:

City of Melbourne

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