CAMBERWELL LINKS ESTATE PRECINCT

The Camberwell Links Estate Precinct, comprising 1-17 & 2-18 Christowel Street; 638-646 Riversdale Road; 2A-18 Westbourne Grove and 1A & 2-14 Stodart Street, Camberwell, is significant. The Camberwell Links Estate Precinct comprises a relatively wide selection of houses, both in terms of period of construction (1915-1930s), and a variety of substantial residences built in interwar styles. The combination of straight and curved streets, the garden settings and the row of Bhutan cypress (Cupressus torulosa) along Westbourne Grove are all of significance, giving the precinct a characteristic interwar character.

How is it significant?

The precinct is of local historic, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Boroondara.

Why is it significant?

Historically, the Camberwell Links Estate Precinct illustrates the influence of the electrification of the tramways and railway on the subdivision and development of housing in Camberwell during the interwar period. The railways and tramways were essential to suburban development, this is exemplified in the Camberwell Links Estate, which has a close proximity to both the tram and railway line. The cypress row along Westbourne Grove, planted to screen the railway line from the new housing, is of contributory significance as a historic link to the housing development of the precinct. The Camberwell Links Estate also demonstrates the suburban growth and subdivisions made possible by the easing of bank finance and the existence of loan schemes in the interwar period. As such the precinct shows a strong expression from Camberwell's major growth period. (Criterion A)

The Camberwell Links Estate is highly representative of the interwar era of the mid-1910s to the late 1930s, showing excellent examples of architectural styles of the period, including Arts and Crafts Bungalows, but also Californian and Attic Bungalow styles with some Old English, Spanish Mission and Moderne examples. With most development occurring during the early to mid-1920s, the character of the precinct is derived from the high level of integrity of its houses in garden settings. The precinct is also representative of the inter-war suburban development, where the combination of curved and straight streets, was popular among town planners in the early 20th century. (Criterion D)

The Camberwell Links Estate Precinct is of aesthetic significance as a collection of houses with a high level of intact decorative detail. especially among the Arts and Crafts, Attic and Californian Bungalows. Elements of high aesthetic value include the garden settings, original fences, complex roofs, tall chimneys, leadlight windows, porches and balustrades and the consistent use of contrasting materials such as roughcast render, timber, terra cotta tile and shingles with red brick. The streetscape is enhanced by the combination of curved and straight streets and generally consistent setbacks. The row of mature Bhutan cypress (Cupressus torulosa) along Westbourne Grove form a significant landscape element in its own right.

Individually Significant houses in the precinct have significant aesthetic characteristics described below:

The Individually Significant houses within the precinct have their own aesthetic significance. 8 Christowel Street is a Federation/Arts and Craft Bungalow with decorative quoining brick work and a roughcast front and side gable. The tapered roughcast chimneys with terracotta chimney tops are common within the Arts and Crafts style. The combination of the materials red brick, roughcast, and terracotta tiles create visual interest.

The Attic Bungalow at 2 Stodart Street is a substantial example of the eclectic and irregular form of the Arts and Crafts style. Although overpainted, the contrasting materials, roughcast, brick and timber shingles are still visible. The Arts and Crafts details are also noticed in the corner buttressing and the tall engaged chimney.

12 Stodart Street has an impressive hip roof with flaring hips, giving the house much of its height and Oriental character. The roof is clad with terracotta shingles and a smaller pyramidal roof over the central front porch mirrors the main roof. Soaring chimneys with quarter turned shafts sit on either side of the house, adding to the impressive roof height. The house is architect designed, however the architect is unknown.

14 Stodart Street is a fine example of the Old English style with overlapping gables, a steeply pitched roof and decorative half-timbered details. The aesthetic details of the style are also evident in the stepped chimney, original clinker brick fence, and vertical gable vent detail. (Criterion E)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House