Bona Vista

The stables at 39 McGrettons Road, Healesville, are located within the large Bona Vista property, being one of a collection of outbuildings. The stables building, which may date from the 1880s, is constructed of brick, on a rectilinear plan. The building is double-height, has a large gabled roof form with brick gable ends, and a large single-height skillion-roofed lean-to. The double-height indicates an internal loft or mezzanine space, probably used as a hay loft, which was typical of stables of this period.

How is it significant?

The Bona Vista property, at 39 McGrettons Road, Healesville, is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance.

Why is it significant?

Bona Vista, at 39 McGrettons Road, Healesville, is of local historical significance as a property which dates back to the second half of the nineteenth century, when land west of the township of Healesville was developed as large grazing estates with homesteads. James F Sullivan owned the land in 1865, which at that time extended for 775 acres; in the 1880s under the ownership of J C Steel, the landholding was known as Bona Vista. The 1880s residence and stables building likely date from Steel's ownership; the two substantial brick buildings set within expansive grounds also provide evidence of a very extensive historic rural landholding in this area of Healesville. The stables are also significant as a substantial surviving outbuilding associated with a large grazing property established in the second half of the nineteenth century in Healesville. The building, through its large size and brick construction, helps demonstrate the scale and operation of the nineteenth century property, and the need for substantial horse accommodation. The stables are also an unusual surviving building type in the municipal context. In addition, the 1880s residence and stables are of local aesthetic/architectural significance. The residence, to its original component, is a substantially externally intact example of a large Victorian house which displays common characteristics such as a symmetrical form and plan, and main single hipped roof. The building is distinguished through its original ashlar 'block' external finish, and detailing to window and door openings including side lights, top lights, chamfered wall edges, and bracketed sills. The stables is also significant as a substantially externally intact and comparatively large stables building with gable ends, which retains its original openings and timber doors on the north elevation. The treed setting of the historic buildings further contributes to the aesthetic value of the property.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Stables