FRANKLYN HOUSE FLATS

What is significant?
Franklyn House, 137 Osborne Street, South Yarra designed and built by H.R. Lawson in 1919, is significant. The significant attributes are the Arts & Crafts Bungalow style form, materials and detailing of the flats.

Later alterations and additions are not significant.

How is it significant?
Franklyn House is of local historic and architectural significance to the City of Stonnington.

Why is it significant?
Historically, Franklyn House is one of the oldest residential flats in the City of Stonnington and is of particular note as an early surviving example of a 'conversion' flat created by the prominent architect/builder/designer, Howard R. Lawson. While there are other examples of Lawson's work in Stonnington this is the only known example of a conversion of an existing house converted to flats.(Criterion A, B, D & E)

Architecturally, Franklyn House demonstrates a skilful conversion from a 19th-century house to flats. Lawson employed a number of simple design elements - such as the shingled front gable, strut-like timber brackets, and rows of square holes along the tops of solid balustrades - to create an attractive Arts & Crafts Bungalow facade, which is typical of his work. The external staircase to the upper level is a characteristic feature of 'conversion' flats.(Criterion D)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Flat