House at 2 Ferguson Street

'Brittanica' at 2 Ferguson Street, Williamstown is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.

Historically, it is significant as part of a small group of houses that illustrate the early residential development in Ferguson Street before it became the main commercial centre of Williamstown from the late nineteenth century onwards. It is also significant for its strong associations with locally important people such as pilot and Melbourne Steamship Co founder, James Deane, thereby evoking Williamstown's special role in Melbourne's early maritime history. (AHC criteria A4, D2 and H1)

Aesthetically, it is significant as a rare example of a two-storey weatherboard Victorian Italianate villa of individual design, which is a major element in the residential streetscape at the bayside end of Ferguson Street. It is distinguished by rare features such as projecting two level bay windows and the unusual detailing of the side elevation with its pointed arch windows. (AHC criteria B2, E1 and F1)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House