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Spencer Street Precinct

Location

1-23 and 8-18 SPENCER STREET, PRESTON, DAREBIN CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Spencer Street precinct comprising the houses at 1-23 and 8-18 Spencer Street developed between 1920 and 1926, is significant.

The group of relatively intact Inter-war Californian Bungalows and their original 1915 subdivision pattern are significant. No. 16 is individually notable as a large and fine example of an Inter-war Californian Bungalow within the context of Spencer Street precinct and in Preston. The precinct has a high degree of integrity, with only two non-contributory properties, being No. 12 on the north side, and No. 21 on the south side.

The following elements contribute to the significance of the precinct:

-The houses constructed in the period from c.1920 to c.1926, and any associated early (pre-WWII) outbuildings or garages.
-The early front and side fences and front garden remnants and layout at No. 16, and front garden and fence at No. 18.
-The gabled building, apparently once within the rear yard of No. 16, but now separated by the rear fence.

How is it significant?
The Spencer Street precinct is of local historic and aesthetic significance to Darebin City.

Why is it significant?
Historically, the Spencer Street precinct is significant as an illustration of the development that occurred in Preston during the development boom that occurred after the First World War, which saw the municipality elevated to the status of a city. The Spencer Street precinct is also significant as fine representative example of an interwar residential precinct with a high degree of visual cohesion and consistency. The historic value of the precinct is enhanced by its high degree of integrity. (AHC criteria A.4, D.2)

The house at No. 16 Spencer Street is aesthetically significant as an intact and relatively sophisticated example of bungalow design. (AHC criteria D.2, F.1)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residential Precinct