Matlock Street Precinct

Matlock Street Precinct incorporating Prospect Hill Road; 39-57 & 36-72 Spencer Road; 1-5 & 2-12 Bow Crescent; 1-43 & 2-30 Matlock Street; 29-37 Myrtle Road; 3-17 & 2-14 Marden Street; 1-87 & 2-42 Warburton Road; 1-11 & 2-18 Carinda Road; 1-17 & 2-16 Maling Road, is significant.

Matlock Street Precinct is of local historic, aesthetic and social significance to the City of Boroondara.

Matlock Street Precinct is historically significant for its association with the Outer Circle Railway Line originally constructed in sections in the 1890-1 and progressively opened and closed according to demand until the 1920s. The land reserved for the railway line is now part of the Anniversary Trail of linear parkland. Planned near the East Camberwell Station the Prospect Hill Estate were part of the trend to market land in close proximity to the railway.

Matlock Street Precinct is historically significant for its demonstration of a middle ring suburb's growth adjacent to the railway line with groups of small attached buildings in Bow Crescent and Warburton Street close to the line, the attached groups illustrating the first residential development in the area.

Matlock Street Precinct is historically significant as an area originally subdivided as part of the Prospect Hill Estate in 1885 and as two subsequent extensions. Despite allotments being offered from the late 1880s development in the area was slow as a result of the economic recession and the varied ability of developers and estate agents to promote a suburban lifestyle. Historically Matlock Street Precinct demonstrates; in common with other Estates released during the Boom years, the time taken for development to be fully realised. Matlock Street Precinct, in particular the shop at 35 Matlock Street is associated with the long running television series 'The Sullivans'.

Matlock Street Precinct represents a large area with predominantly small allotments and modest suburban housing within garden settings. Although mixed in character it does provide a high level of Edwardian residential development with some Interwar examples. Predominantly constructed of timber, there is also some distinctive rows of attached brick residences built as groups at 2-12 Warburton Road and 10-12 Bow Crescent. The type of development (modest scale) and period (predominantly Edwardian) Matlock Street Precinct is comparable to Union Road Residential Precinct (HO534), Surrey Hills North Residential Precinct (HO535) and Canterbury Hills Estate Surrey Hills (HO536). Matlock Street Precinct is distinguished by its relatively large area and high degree of integrity and a low level of alterations. Carinda Road is a good example with a number of representative weatherboard Federation houses in good condition and with consistency of material, form and detailing. Matlock Street Precinct is distinguished by its relatively large area, high degree of integrity and relatively low levels of alteration to individual places.

Matlock Street Precinct is aesthetically significant for the parkland and recreation area related to the former Outer Circle Railway Line, now the Anniversary Trail; and its associated landscaping including several palm trees along the parkland easement

along Myrtle Road.

Matlock Street Precinct is aesthetically significant for the group of attached dwellings at 2-8 Bow Street that are built as two pairs of small brick residences with rendered upper

walls and projecting gable fronts with large sash and sidelight window. Small timber porches to each side are well detailed in timber. Another group of brick and render houses at 7-15 Warburton Road are unusual in the precinct and provide a consistent Edwardian streetscape. These houses feature a combination of arch-headed windows in rubbed brickwork, and more conventional square -headed windows with leaded toplights. Timber strapping is applied to the render finish of the upper walls and gable ends. Some small late Victorian houses occupy 6-10 Warburton Road and are distinguished by their consistency and use of large bay windows. Bow Street is also distinguished by some late Victorian di-chrome brick houses with typical cast iron frieze verandahs.

Marden Street is a fine and intact streetscape with small Edwardian houses on the low side of the street and set close to the front boundary and a picturesque juxtaposition of roof forms. Slightly larger residences in timber with ornate verandahs, box windows and timber strapping to gable ends re typical of the period. A particularly unusual house at 41 Matlock Street has a large recessed porch with timber fretwork and balustrade, a diagonal box window and a simplified hip roof form. A late Victorian house at 15 Matlock Street is a fine example of di-chrome (cream and brown) brickwork and with a return verandah with cast iron frieze.

Carinda Road has a consistency of material, form and detailing and is a good example of a number of representative weatherboard Federation houses in good condition.

Matlock Street is aesthetically significant for its modest but intact Interwar houses in timber and red brick. 43 and 57 Spencer Street are intact examples of a timber Californian Bungalow and 149 and 151 Prospect Hill Road are fine and intact examples of the style in brick with timber shingle gable ends. Matlock Street Precinct is aesthetically significant for its centrally located parkland bisecting the area, and providing both open space and views from Marden Street and Myrtle Street.

The parkland associated with the Outer Circle Railway may hold social value for the residents of the area, however this has not been addressed in this assessment. The local community and the wider tourist community with connections to 'The Sullivans' television series socially value the 'A & J Sullivan' store. This series developed a strong following both in Australia and abroad during the 1970s and the 1980s through its depiction of Australian suburban family life during World War II. These communities have continued their connection to the property since this time, evidenced through regular community visits and expressions of connection in the public sphere.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House