Terrace

14-16 Spencer Street, Essendon, a pair of late Victorian Italianate terrace houses built c1891-92 is significant.

Significant fabric includes the:

original built form, roof forms (No 14 only) and original chimneys;

the two-storey hayloft and stable outbuildings with remnant early hook pully mechanism (No 16)

rendered masonry walls to the principal elevation, face brickwork to side elevations and original pattern of fenestration;

Italianate parapets, two-storey verandahs set between party walls; basalt sills and thresholds; and

blind round-arched windows, original window and door joinery.

The third-storey extension and garage (No 16) and the skillion rear extension (14) are not significant.

How is it significant?

14-16 Spencer Street, Essendon, is of local historical and architectural (representative) significanceto the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?

14-16 Spencer Street, Essendon, developed on the Lincolnshire Park Estate, is historically significant for its long association with the Tate family, who were early settlers in the Holden/Diggers Rest area. The Tates of Pleasant Vale established what is now known as 'Tate's Ford', a stone road leading through Jacksons Creek which allowed locals to access the Holden Common, Mt Alexander Road (Calder Highway) and the railway station. 14-16 Spencer Street; developed by Paul Tate c1891-92 continued to be owned by members of the same family until the death of James Tate in 1939. 14-16 Spencer Street is also historically significant for its association with Christ Church Essendon, serving as a clergy house from 1893-1912 with residents being Rev John Good who resided there from 1893-1903 and Rev M.M. Whitton from 1903-12. (Criterion A)

14 and 16 Spencer Street, Essendon, is significant as an example of a Victorian terrace in the Italianate style. It is distinguished from other terraces as it features a single- and double-fronted house. Terraces in the City of Moonee Valley are far less common than detached houses, and two-storey examples are relatively uncommon and is distinguished by its unusual form of two different sized houses.

Overall, the terrace houses at 14-16 Spencer Street, Essendon, demonstrate key characteristics associated with the Italianate style, including the uniform arrangement of the principal facades, two storey verandahs with cast iron friezes, ornate parapets and party walls, cement rendered chimneys and walls, use of plain face brickwork to side elevations and an original fenestration pattern. 14-16 Spencer Street are of relatively high integrity apart from an additional partially visible storey added to No 16. Other changes are minor and are not considered to compromise the significance of the place as a whole. Significance is enhanced by the remaining outbuilding, formerly used as a stable and hay loft and located behind No 16. (Criterion D)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Terrace