Chomley Street Precinct

The Chomley Street Precinct is an Edwardian residential streetscape developed in a remarkably short period of time between c1911 and c1913. This period marked a renewed surge of development across the broader Municipality following the hiatus in building activity caused by the 1890s depression. Building stock in the precinct mainly comprises semi-detached cottage pairs but also includes a reasonably rare hybrid example of an Edwardian corner store and attached residence. 

Elements which contribute to the significance of the precinct include (but are not limited to):

-high degree of intactness of the area to its c1913 state arising from the absence of modern infill;

- all Edwardian building stock including the shop and attached residence at 69/71 Chomley Street; 

-extent to which the development over a single time period is apparent;

-the overall regularity of the built form and subtle variety in the character and expression of individual housing stock;

-intactness of individual buildings to their original states. Dwellings typically survive with their presentation to the street largely unaltered retaining verandahs and decorative render and timber detailing; 

-the consistent, modest single-storey scale of the built form; 

-the generally uniform front setbacks and modest side setbacks; 

-face red-brick, timber and render materiality and gabled or hipped roofscapes with chimneys and terracotta tile cladding;

-the almost complete absence of on-site vehicle accommodation; and,

-consistent low front fence height in most sections of the streetscape.

The Chomley Street Precinct is of local historical and aesthetic significance. 

The Chomley Street Precinct is of historical significance as evidence of the major phase of suburban development which took place in the Municipality in the first two decades of the twentieth century as the economy recovered after the 1890s depression (Historical theme: 3.3.5 Recovery and Infill 1900-1940). The precinct also demonstrates a rare pattern of settlement in Prahran as a complete and uninterrupted Edwardian streetscape resulting from a 1910s subdivision. In this part of the municipality, Edwardian dwellings more typically occur as infill development in partially complete 1880s subdivisions. In addition, the precinct highlights the important role of the corner shop in serving local neighbourhoods prior to the advent of the motor car and supermakets (Historical theme: 7.1 Serving local communities). 

The precinct is of aesthetic significance for its remarkably intact and cohesive collection of Edwardian semi-detached and villa housing. While individual buildings are reasonably typical of the period, the repetitive rhythm established by the concentration of broadly similar facade designs is of particular significance.