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The Gables, 148 Domain Street, South Yarra

Gould, Meredith01/10/1984

Record details

Title:

Creator:

Gould, Meredith

Date of work:

01/10/1984

Reference number:

BIF-SY 102540

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 Title: The GablesBuilding Type: ResidenceStyle: Picturesque Gothic RevivalPeriod: Early VictorianConstruction Date: c.1853 with subsequent additions ; Source: RatebooksMaterials: Brick wallsNotable features/Significance: Notable features include the verandah decoration, verandah roof and structure. An 1850's house added to several times in its early life but retaining the dominant form, of a Gothic Revival building with elaborated gables and quoins to windows and corners. The verandah on the rear 2 storey addition is of an unusual design executed in timber possibly c1860. Window joinery is of various forms. Casements survive on the north and east facades, six pane sash double hung windows to west, and two pane sash tall double hung windows to the rear extension. The building is amongst the oldest extant in South Yarra/Melbourne.Alterations and Recommendations: Bargeboards (sympathetic - no recommendations); Some window openings blocked up, porch roof, bay window, french doors ( inappropriate - reinstate original design); Painted brickwork ( extremely inappropriate - remove by approved method); Fence, possible removal of verandah ( extremely inappropriate - reinstate original design); Tiles to porch (extremely inappropriate - remove)Other Comments: Any restoration work should be thoroughly researched. Internal inspection is required to determine the date of each section.Builder: Probably John McDonaldHistory: Built c1853 for John McDonald : Builder John McDonald. This mid Victorian, Gothic Revival building stands on crown land portion no.15 which was bought by Nehemiah Guthridge, a Melbourne merchant and entrepreneur, at public auction on 14th March 1849 for the sum of 190 pounds. Within two years the new owner had sold the 9 and a half acre allotment piecemeal, in both large and small sub divisions. One such division was a strip of land measuring 259 x 60 feet, on the north east side of Domain Street bought by a builder John McDonald in April 1851 for the sum of forty pounds. Seven small brick or wood houses were built as an investment o n this long, narrow piece of land by McDonald and were rented out by him over the following twenty years, during which time the house at No.148 increased in size from two rooms to nine rooms. This house and the smaller cottage at No. 142 Domain Street have survived from this early building period with few external changes, and historical research reveals that they are amongst the oldest houses retaining their original form and aspect, in the Melbourne / South Yarra area.1853 - Owner: McDonald, John - Brickhouse - 2 rooms (Rates 30 pounds)1854 - Occupier: Withers, George; Owner: McDonald, John - Brickhouse - 3 rooms (Rates 25 pounds)1857 - Occupier: Wadsworth, Richard; Owner: McDonald, John - Brickhouse - 6 rooms (Rates 100 pounds)1874 - Occupier: Robinson, Thomas; Owner: McDonald, Norman - Brickhouse - 9 rooms (Rates 50 pounds)1895 - Occupier: Bennet, William; Owner: McDonald, Norman - no.148 - Brickhouse - 9 rooms (Rates 42 pounds)1916 - Occupier: Bennet, William; Owner: McDonald, Norman - no.148 - Brickhouse - 9 rooms (Rates 56 pounds)1946 - Occupier: Parrington, Thomas; Owner: Estate May Parrington - no.148 - Brick flats - (2) (Rates 240 pounds)1966 - Occupier: Sonne, Elizabeth, Patterson A & E; Owner: CEG Grammar School - no.148 (Rates $1080)1982 - Occupier: MCE Grammar School*Alterations to 2 flats March 1929

Names:

City of Melbourne

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