Symons Street Residential Precinct

Symons Street Residential Precinct is based on Symons Street, Healesville, an east-west running street which is parallel to, and elevated above the main street (Nicholson Street) to the south. The precinct also incorporates some properties in Church, Green and Manse streets and Crowley Road. There are three non-contiguous sections in the precinct: the west section with properties in Symons and Church streets; middle section near the intersection of Symons Street and Crowley Road; and east section near the intersection with Manse Street. West of Green Street, the slope of Symons Street is such that there is a 'high' side (south) and a 'low' side (north), and a divided roadway flanking a treed grassy verge and oaks of long-standing. Graded houses within the precinct generally fall within the date range of the late 1880s through to the 1940s. Houses have late-Victorian/Federation styling and character, as well as some interwar dwellings representing variants on the California bungalow form. Overwhelmingly, buildings in the precinct are constructed of timber, with a limited number of brick dwellings. On the south side of Symons Street, dwellings have varying setbacks with those on the most dramatically sloping blocks often set well back from the property boundary to take advantage of views to the north. On the north side, dwellings are generally closer to the street with some having lower storeys set below street level, accommodated by the sloping allotments and appearing from Symons Street as single-storey buildings. This is particularly so in the west end of the precinct near Church Street, as well as at the east end near Manse Street. Some of the buildings on the high south side of the street are also visible in views from a considerable distance, including to the north across the Watts River. The precinct also includes a number of former guest houses, such as Grandview at 28 Symons Street, York Lodge at 4 Symons Street, and Ingle Nook at 2 Green Street. In addition to mature street trees, many of properties in the precinct also have long standing and complementary garden settings. The gardens, some of which are terraced, combine with the often sloping allotments to enhance the presentation and appearance of many precinct properties.

How is it Significant?

Symons Street Residential Precinct is of historical and aesthetic/architectural significance to Yarra Ranges.

Why is it Significant?

Symons Street Residential Precinct is of local historical significance, as a long-standing residential area in an elevated part of Healesville, where allotments were purchased in the first 1865 land sales, after the initial Healesville township survey. Symons Street was established to the south of the main street (Nicholson Street), running parallel with it but on higher ground. A number of dwellings had been constructed by the late nineteenth century, including Claremont at 1 Symons Street, an 1880s dwelling which is the oldest house in the precinct; St John's Anglican Church of 1889 is also an older property. The street itself remained unmade into the early twentieth century, albeit trees were planted in these years to beautify the street. The hilly eastern area of the precinct attracted more prominent and affluent members of the Healesville community. Guesthouses were also constructed in elevated parts of the precinct, taking advantage of views, and drawing attention today to the important role of tourism in the history of the town. Symons Street Residential Precinct is also of local aesthetic/architectural significance. The precinct has a comparatively high level of intactness, with graded properties dating from the late 1880s through to the 1940s, of late-Victorian/Federation and interwar origin. Significant aesthetic attributes include the topography of Symons Street with its high and low sides; houses adapted to the often steep allotments, including concealment of lower building levels from the street; views out from the prominently sited properties, including to the north; and public views of buildings on the high south side of Symons Street, from outside the precinct (such as from the north across the Watts River). Street trees, and mature garden plantings and trees on often sloping and picturesque allotments, also contribute to the aesthetic significance.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residential Precinct