Airlie House

Other Name

later The Elms

Location

31 Somerville Road, YARRAVILLE VIC 3013 - Property No 4087015800

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

Architecturally, expresses both an early construction date and the basalt construction distinguishes Footscray from other suburbs. Historically, linked with some of the city's earliest river front industrialists and the maritime activities (via Walpole) which made Victoria's busiest 19th century port, Williamstown, and its industrial partner, Footscray, a prominent duo in the metropolitan area. Also a possible link exists with the romantic novelist Walpole and a later entertainment (the cinema) via the Footscray Walpole's progeny.

Maribyrnong Heritage Review, Volume 6

These elm trees are significant to the City of Maribyrnong:
- as mature and large examples of their type, being among the largest, and therefore possibly oldest, in the City ( Criterion B2);
- for their association with Horace Walpole and other well known persons who lived in this house ( Criterion H1).

Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) criteria

The Australian Heritage Commission criteria consist of a set of eight criteria which cover social, aesthetic, scientific, and historic values. Each criterion has sub-criteria written specifically for cultural or natural values. The relevant criteria are:

B.2 rarity

H.1 association with important person or group

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House