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Keston

Other Names

Aidios , Ardross

Location

13 Milton Street ASCOT VALE, MOONEE VALLEY CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2]
13 Milton Street Ascot Vale
[2/2]
13 Milton Street Ascot Vale

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

'Keston' at 13 Milton Street, Ascot Vale, a late Victorian era Italianate mansion designed by Tadgell Bros and built in 1889 is significant.

Significant fabric includes the:

- double-storey asymmetric built form with a projecting bay;

- original hipped roof form and slate roofing;

- unpainted polychrome brickwork, basalt steps and associated pedestals,

- original chimneys and eaves detailing;

- original pattern of fenestration, elements of window and door joinery and leaded glass highlight and sidelights;

- original setback at the front; and

- verandah ornamentation.

Two tall mature Canary Island Date Palms (Phoenix canariensis) and a mature Pepper Tree (Schinus molle) in the front garden are also significant.

How is it significant?

13 Milton Street, Ascot Vale, is of local architectural (representative) and associative significance to the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?

'Keston' at 13 Milton Street, Ascot Vale, is significant as a Victorian-era Italianate mansion. The Italianate style is well represented in the Heritage Overlay in Moonee Valley, however mansions of this large scale are less common than single storey detached houses. 13 Milton Street demonstrates the mansion typology through its asymmetrical building form with a two-storey projecting polygonal room and a return verandah also extending over two storeys. The house is set on a medium-sized allotment with a garden setting. 'Keston' compares well with 17 Norwood Crescent, Moonee Ponds, 1885 (HO266) and also with 49-59 Raleigh Street, Essendon, 1889 (HO106), both in its level of intactness and architectural design.

13 Milton Street demonstrates Italianate characteristics including the slate roof, original chimneys, eaves detailing, unpainted polychromatic and red brickwork, window and door joinery including timber window valances, leaded glass highlight and sidelights, and double-level verandah with ornamentation. The integrity of the place is enhanced by the retention of early garden elements including two tall mature Canary Island Date Palms (Phoenix canariensis) and a mature Pepper Tree (Schinus molle). Overall, it is highly intact example of the Italianate style, with very few changes visible. (Criterion D)

13 Milton Street Ascot Vale is significant for its associationwithTadgell Bros, a building, architecture and property businessformedbetween Frederick and Ernest Tadgell in 1888. The businessconcentratedinitially on architectural projects such as 13 Milton Avenueandbuildings for the Anglican Church, but later operated asauctioneers,valuators, estate, finance and insurance agents within theMoonee Valleyarea. 13 Milton Street is attributed to the design byTadgell Bros, whoinvited tenders for the erection of a 'largetwo-storied brickresidence' in Milton Avenue. Tadgell Bros occupiedoffices at 13 NorwoodCrescent, Moonee Ponds (c1901-02; HO89), 439 MountAlexander Road,Moonee Ponds, and at Ascot Vale and Essendon railwaystations. Othersignificant works in Moonee Valley by Tadgell Brosinclude BuckleyLodge, 200 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds (HO95); StJames' AnglicanChurch, 1 Hudson Street, Moonee Ponds HO354); and StThomas' AnglicanVicarage, 760 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds (HO85).(Criterion H)

Group