HOUSE

The property at 17 Old Fernshaw Road, Healesville, is a large allotment on the north side of Old Fernshaw Road, with the c.1919 dwelling located on the south of the property. The latter is a symmetrical, timber and cement sheet, attic-storey double-fronted bungalow residence, with a large gable-ended single-hipped roof. The house has a dado of painted weatherboards with the upper portion of wall of painted cement sheet (stucco) with cover straps. A verandah runs the full length of the main facade, the roof of which is incorporated into the main roof form, and clad with aged terracotta tiling; a double brick chimney with a stepped brick cap is located to the west roof slope. The facade is symmetrical and comprises a central painted timber paneled front door with a panel of leaded glass to the upper portion and narrow sidelights with leaded glazing. The windows are tripartite, timber-framed double-hung sashes with multi-paned top sashes. The verandah has a simple timber frieze, with vertical posts, and a painted timber rail with vertical slatted balustrade to the west side; the verandah supporting posts have a square profile, and are grouped in threes at either end of the verandah. The upper (attic) level of the gable comprises an infilled rectangular opening which may originally have been an open verandah, now infilled with modern timber-framed glazing, incorporating awning sashes. The house is set in a generous well-maintained garden setting.

How is it significant?

The property at 117 Old Fernshaw Road, Healesville, is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance.

Why is it significant?

No 117 Old Fernshaw Road, Healesville, is of local historical significance. The dwelling was constructed in c.1919, in a subdivision which, being north-east of the Graceburn River was outside the original town reserve of Healesville. Old Fernshaw Road was originally the main route from Healesville to the locality of Fernshaw, which had been established in the 1860s on the Blacks' Spur, between Healesville and Narbethong. Fernshaw became one of the popular tourist attractions along the heavily forested and scenic Blacks Spur. Old Fernshaw Road was bypassed in 1955 when the route of the Maroondah Highway was altered. It subsequently developed into a more residential street. The property is also of local aesthetic/architectural significance. The dwelling is a substantially externally intact Federation Bungalow, a transitional style which falls partway between the detailing and varied texture of Federation houses - seen here in the timber dado/stuccoed front wall combination, fenestration and door detailing - and the square house plan with a simple rectangular division of verandah space associated with early bungalows of the 1910s and early 1920s. In comparable terms, it is generally more intact and/or of larger scale than other similar examples in Healesville. Other elements of note include the symmetrical composition, simply detailed but strongly proportioned verandah, and the prominent single-hipped and high-pitched roof. The treed setting also enhances the presentation of the building, and this aspect of significance.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House