Loch-End or Gillespie's house, 705-707 Spencer Street, West Melbourne
Graeme Butler and AssociatesJul-91
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Loch-End or Gillespie's house, 705-707 Spencer Street, West Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
Jul-91
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 108897
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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GRAEME BUTLER 1983, CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEGrading as at 1991 : BPeriod : Late Victorian (1884)Grantee : M Dawson 1859HistoryWilliam Gillespie moved from Dryburgh Street, to occupy and own this house from 1884 until he sold it in 1890 to William Dean, who was one partner in a large firm of Flinders Lane wall paper importers, and sold hangings and paints of all sorts. By 1895 the house had passed onto another firm in a similar line of business, Crawford & Co. also of Flinders Lane. The tow latter owners leased the house to William Tralor and Henry Nind. William Dean was the founder of William Dean & Co. now Deans Art and Handicrafts Supplies of Lonsdale Street. The business was initially established by him in 1854 in Elizabeth Street and the expertise gained there enabled him to take over a larger concern from Fitch and French in Flinders Lane. From here he supplied paint to house decorators, artists, coach builders, etc. so successfully that he was able to open up many outlets throughout the metropolis. William Gillespie, the first owner, was a partner in a large cartage firm, Hall and Gillespie. He was one of those thousands who tried his luck on the gold fields after 1852, eventually returning to Melbourne to set up his own cartage firm. By the time he built this house, the firm operated with thirty horses and drays. Renowned architect, William Pitt designed this house, one of his few small residential commissions, to be constructed by builder, D. Richards of Emerald Hill.DescriptionClosely confined by its site, this double fronted, single storey face brick house has twin window bays, reflected by a bayed iron verandah and hipped roof bays, set against a transverse gable iron clad roof. An iron fence is used at the frontage, whilst other decoration is confined to brackets at the eaves. (Compare with 69 Campbell Street, Castlemaine, 1894, 1421 and 1407 Sturt Street, Ballarat.Integrity - Generally original.Streetscape - The last part of a 19th century residential streetscape.SignificanceArchitecturally, an early, near original example of a villa type uncommon in inner Melbourne, designed by prominent architect, William Pitt and part of a streetscape, of high regional importance. Historically, associated with two regionally prominent persons Dean and Gillespie, the latter epitomising the wealthier residents of the study area, of high regional importance.Recommendations - Repaint trim in typical or original colours, consider zoning provisions to maintain residential use and form.References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory; V.& M = Sutherland 1888. Victoria and its Metropolis; PA =CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION )1. D. 18842 RB 1885-86, 214: RB 1890- 91, 211; RB 1895-96, 2183. D. 18954 V.& M. p. 560- 5615. Ibid p.7206. PA 753/1884.Note: William Gillespie was a member of Hotham Council from 1870-1872.___________________________GRAEME BUTLER & ASSOCIATES, 2015. WEST MELBOURNE HERITAGE REVIEWWhat is significant?William Gillespie moved from Dryburgh Street, North Melbourne, to occupy and own this house from 1884. He sold it about the time of his death, in 1889, to William Dean, who was one partner in a large firm of Flinders Lane wall paper importers who sold hangings and paints of all sorts. By 1895 the house had passed on to members of another firm in a similar line of business, Crawford and Co. also of Flinders Lane. The two latter owners leased the house to William Tralor and Henry Nind.William Dean was the cofounder of William Dean and Co., now Deans Art and Handicrafts Supplies of Lonsdale Street. Dean established the business by 1854 and the expertise gained there enabled him to take over a larger concern from Fitch and French in Flinders Lane in 1874. From the Flinders lane store, he supplied paint to house decorators, artists, coach builders, etc. so successfully that he was able to open up many outlets throughout the metropolis.William Gillespie, the first owner, was a partner in a large cartage firm, Hall and Gillespie. He was one of thousands who tried his luck on the gold fields after 1852, eventually returning to Melbourne to set up his own cartage firm. By the time he built this house, the firm operated with thirty horses and drays.Renowned architect, William Pitt designed this house, as one of his rare small residential commissions, to be constructed by builder, D. Richards of Emerald Hill (later part of South Melbourne).Contributory elements include:double fronted, single storey face brick house, closely confined by its compact site;twin window bays, reflected by a bayed, cast-iron and timber verandah with corrugated iron clad roof;a transverse double gable slate clad roof, with eaves brackets and hipped roof bays;cemented chimneys with cornices;double-hung sash windows;four-panel door with side and top lights;an iron double-palisade fence on a stone plinth at the frontage; andcontribution as the last and major part of a 19th century residential streetscape.Integrity is good despite placement of a bus shelter in front of the house that obscures public views to it.How is it significant?Loch-End or Gillespie's house is significant historically and aesthetically to West Melbourne and the City of Melbourne.Why is it significant?Loch-End or Gillespie's house is significant.Aesthetically, an early, near original example of a villa type uncommon in West Melbourne and inner Melbourne, as designed by the prominent architect, William Pitt, also contributory part of a valuable streetscape; andHistorically, associated with two locally prominent persons, Dean and Gillespie, the latter epitomising the wealthier group of residents in the West Melbourne area, also representative of a major growth period (Victorian-era) in West Melbourne.
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 108897 | 1 PDF : 1.33 MB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |