Longville House

C Listed - Local Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Longville House at 2 Fitzroy Street, Geelong, has significance as a legacy of the Victorian Eclectic style. Originally built in 1883-84 to a design by the Geelong architects Watts and Jackson for John Longville Price, Geelong solicitor and former Mayor, Longville House remains a substantial residence. Although there have been obvious changes since the neighbouring allotment fronting Eastern Beach was subdivided and the front of the house was altered to the Fitzroy Street facade, the building is in good condition when viewed from the street.

Longville House at 2 Fitzroy Street is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. Although altered, it still demonstrates original design qualities of a Victorian Eclectic style. These qualities include the hipped roof form clad in dichromatic slate tiles, broad eaves with decorative timber brackets, and the dichromatic brick wall construction with cream brick quoinwork to the building corners and openings. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the symmetrical composition, two storey height, projecting two storey verandah and balcony with cast iron columns, brackets, valances and balcony balustrade, timber framed six panelled door with sidelights and transom window, timber framed double hung windows (especially the tripartite windows), and the narrow central timber and glazed opening (with 3 paned transom window) on the east facade of the first floor. Although relocated, the cast iron palisade fence with bluestone plinth now contributes to the significance of the place.

Longville House at 2 Fitzroy Street is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with substantial residential developments in Geelong in the 1880s, and particularly with John Longville Price, solicitor, former Mayor and original owner from 1883-84. The property has long associations with the Price family until 1964. The house has further associations with the Geelong architects, Watts and Jackson.

Overall, Longville House at 2 Fitzroy Street is of LOCAL significance.

References

Reports and Drainage Plans, Barwon Water profis system, 1964, 1994.

Voters' Roll, Barwon Ward, 1992, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Sands & McDougall's Directory of Geelong, 1972, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Sands & McDougall "Invicta" Geelong Directory, 1968, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Geelong City Council Rate Books (Bellerine Ward), 1883-1960, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Geelong Town Plan 1881, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Rowe, D. J., 'Architecture in Geelong 1860-1900', Bachelor of Architecture Thesis, Deakin University, 1991, Sheet 139.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House