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Broomfield Avenue Precinct

Location

2-52 and 3-45 BROOMFIELD AVENUE and 495, 509 and 515 HEIDELBERG ROAD, ALPHINGTON, DAREBIN CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Broomfield Avenue Precinct comprises the properties at 2-52 & 3-45 Broomfield Avenue and 495 (Park), 509 and 515 Heidelberg Road, Alphington. It is an early twentieth century residential precinct, which comprises a mix of Edwardian villas and inter-war bungalows. The consistency of built form and the extent to which development in two key phases is apparent are important characteristics of the precinct. The following elements contribute to the significance of the precinct:

- The houses at 1-9, 17-27*, 31-43, 2-20, 24, 26 & 30-52 Broomfield Avenue and 509 & 515 Heidelberg Road.
- The mature street trees and in the park at 495 Heidelberg Road (Platanus sp., Quercus sp., Fraxinus sp).
- The bluestone kerb and channelling.

Non-original alterations and additions to contributory houses and the houses/flats Nos. 11, 22, 28, 29 and 45 Broomfield Avenue are not significant.

(*Note: there are no numbers 13 or 15)

How is it significant?
The Broomfield Avenue Precinct in Alphington is of local historic, architectural and aesthetic significance to Darebin City.

Why is it significant?
Historically, the Broomfield Avenue Precinct is significant as evidence of important phases of suburban development in Alphington, including the recovery in the first decade of the twentieth century and the rapid development after World War I associated with improvements to the railway service, which provided fast and efficient transport from Melbourne's middle and outer-ring suburbs to the city. The housing is characteristic of medium scale suburban housing of both the Edwardian and Inter-war periods. (AHC criteria A.4, D.2)

Architecturally, the Broomfield Avenue Precinct is significant as a representative example of an early twentieth century residential subdivision in Darebin, which is notable for the consistent quality of its built form. The aesthetic qualities of the precinct are enhanced by the mature street trees and the parkland at the entrance to Broomfield Avenue. (AHC criteria D.2, E.1)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residential Precinct