Healesville Commercial Precinct

Healesville Commercial Precinct is focused on the Healesville 'main street' shopping centre, which is linear in form and borders the east-west running Nicholson Street (Maroondah Highway). The street is sited on a terraced hillside that slopes down from south to north where it borders the flats of the Watts River, giving the street 'high' (south) and 'low' (north) sides. The wide intersection of Green and Nicholson streets is at the centre of the precinct, and is dominated by the Grand Hotel. Dates of construction for graded heritage buildings range from the late 1880s through to the post-WWII period, a wide date range which is not uncommon in rural centres where development can occur over a long period. Generally, two-storey buildings are on the 'high' south side of the street, advantageously sited to afford views to the Watts River corridor, over the roofs of the typically single-storey buildings on the north side of the street. The majority of buildings within the precinct are of brick, with many over-painted, and some with combinations of brickwork and roughcast/render finishes; there are also timber buildings. Mature street trees along Nicholson Street are subject to an existing Heritage Overlay (HO159).

How is it Significant?

Healesville Commercial Precinct is of local historical, social and aesthetic/architectural significance.

Why is it Significant?

Healesville Commercial Precinct is of local historical significance, as a long-standing commercial/retail shopping strip in Healesville which emerged on Nicholson Street, historically the main road (main street) through town, in the aftermath of the 1865 town survey. A diversity of businesses and commercial activities were quickly established on the street, with by 1866 approximately thirty traders principally engaged in supporting the town's role on the main route from Melbourne to the gold diggings at Woods Point. By the end of the nineteenth century Nicholson Street was home to more numerous and diverse businesses, including those servicing the burgeoning tourist trade as well as town residents and the agricultural hinterland. In the first half of the twentieth century, commercial activity in Healesville also supported the timber/sawmilling industry, and in more recent times vineyards and a viticulture industry. The precinct demonstrates some of the principal characteristics of an historic rural town main street, including a mix of single and double storey historic commercial buildings, typically with zero setbacks to the street; shopfronts at ground floor level; awnings and verandahs; parapets; and prominent corner buildings including hotels. Healesville Commercial Precinct is also of local social significance as a much valued commercial/retail shopping area in the town, which has retained its historical commercial focus, emphasising its importance to the Healesville community. The precinct is additionally of local aesthetic/architectural significance. It has a comparatively high level of intactness, and streetscape diversity arising from the variety of building treatments, with buildings spread along the linear form of the street, sited on the 'high' or 'low' sides. Prominent buildings include the two hotels (the Grand and Healesville), Rathrone House and the cluster of interwar shop/residences to the east end of Nicholson Street. Mature street trees/street plantings along Nicholson Street, which are subject to an existing Heritage Overlay (HO159), also contribute to this aspect of significance.

Group

Commercial

Category

Commercial Precinct