Back to search results » Back to search page »

Oxbridge House

Other Name

Uxbridge House

Location

12 Grandview Grove HAWTHORN EAST, BOROONDARA CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/3]
Hawthorn Heritage study 1992
[2/3]
Hawthorn Heritage study 1992
[3/3]
Hawthorn Heritage study 1992

Statement of Significance

1. Built 1889-90 for and possibly by the builders Huddlestone and Brown, with additions in 1905 to the designs of the architect, E.A. Bates, of Hyndman and Bates, "Uxbridge House" has historical significance as an example of the important role of building firms, building societies and architects in the boom years in suburban Hawthorn. The house has associations with at least three building societies - the Fourth Victorian Permanent Property Building and Investment Company, the Fifth Original South Melbourne Terminating Building Society and the Australian Widows Fund. It has historical significance, also, for its associations from 1896 to 1907 with the notable Bates family. Annie Cramer Williams Bates was the widow of parliamentarian, William Bates (1826-1891), Member for Collingwood 1868-74 and Minister in the McCulloch government. "Uxbridge" was named after William Bates' birthplace in Middlesex, England. Annie engaged her son, the architect, E.A. Bates, to make additions to the house in 1905. Bates later joined the firm Bates, Peebles and Smart, the forerunner of the present Bates, Smart and McCutcheon.

2. "Uxbridge House" has historical significance, also, for its associations from 1907 until 1985 with the Melbourne jeweller, F.R. Abrecht, and his descendants. The firm that bears his name is still operating in Coll ins Street.

3. Architecturally significant as the design for his own family home by the important Melbourne architect E.A. Bates.

4. Architecturally significant for the illustration of the change in taste in dwelling style from the Victorian villa into the Edwardian period. An unusual example of the application of primarily Queen Anne details to a Victorian villa.

Group