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STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OFFICE (FORMER)

Location

337 ASCOT VALE ROAD, MOONEE PONDS, MOONEE VALLEY CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) office, designed by (or under the direction of) SECV chief architect A.R. La Gerche and constructed in 1923, at 337 Ascot Vale Road, Moonee Ponds is significant. It is a two storey inter-war building constructed of brick with a transverse gable roof with a projecting cornice along the Ascot Road elevation. The side parapetted walls follow the roof profile. The front elevation comprises tall double-hung sash windows with rendered frames and sills in rows of four each on the ground and first floor and rows of six each in the side elevation. The entrance door is recessed with splayed side walls and a stepped brick arch inlaid with chevron pattern bricks. Above the entrance is a tall leadlight window providing light to the stairwell. Other detailing is minimal and include expressed bricks in a diamond pattern in the Young Street gable wall, a rendered band along the top of the first floor windows, a deep rendered band along the base, and rendered bands to the corners.

Non-original alterations and additions are not significant.

How it is significant?
The former SECV office at 337 Ascot Vale Road, Moonee Ponds is of local historic significance to the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?
It is historically significant as a building that is associated with the takeover of private and municipal electricity networks by the SECV in the 1920s. This building, constructed just one year after the first SECV head office in 1923, was the first suburban office established by the SECV and represents the beginnings of the administrative network required to support the massive task of establishing the metropolitan electricity network during the 1920s. It is also significant as an example of the buildings designed by or under the direction of chief SECV architect, A.R. La Gerche. (Criteria A & H)

Group

Utilities - Electricity

Category

Other - Utilities - Electricity