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ROBERT RUSSELL HOUSE AND FORMER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HALL

Location 30-33 HOWE CRESCENT SOUTH MELBOURNE, PORT PHILLIP CITY File Number 602542 Level Registered

[1/3] ROBERT RUSSELL HOUSE AND [2/3] ROBERT RUSSELL HOUSE AND [3/3] 1 residence 30 howe cres south

Statement of Significance

The residence was built about 1867 for Dr James Barrett, a noted surgeon and general practioner. It remained in the family until 1920. The architect was WH Ellerker. The name of the builders is not known. The form of the building is atypical of early Melbourne suburban houses. It is built directly onto the street with the unusual combination of portico, tower and flanking pavillion wings. The interior has been substantially altered. The stables complete the residential character of the property. The residence is the pivot of an important streetscape along Howe Crescent. The whole sub-division is of major importance in the history of Melbourne's planning.

The hall was first built as a church in 1868. The architects were Crouch and Wilson. It is the second oldest polychrome church in the State and was the first of many built by the non-conformists churches. The interior has been substantially altered.


Additional information


The Robert Russell house, 30 Howe Crescent, South Melbourne, built c.1867 to a design by WH Ellerker, is of significance for its association with the Barrett family who were important in the medical profession and public life of Melbourne. (Criterion h1)

It is also significant as the pivot of an important streetscape along Howe Crescent. The form of the building is atypical of early Melbourne suburban houses, being built directly onto the street with an unusual combination of portico, tower and flanking pavilion wings.
(Criterion b.2)

The whole sub-division is of major importance in the history of Melbourne's planning. It has perhaps only one other parallel, in Dendy's town survey of Brighton. (Criterion a.4)