Back to search results » Back to search page »

High Street (Reservoir) Precinct

Other Name

High Street Precinct

Location

658-94 and 763-93 HIGH STREET, RESERVOIR, DAREBIN CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/4]
HIGH STREET EAST SIDE
[2/4]
HIGH ST SSBV
[3/4]
HIGH STREET WEST SIDE
[4/4]
High Street Reservoir, No

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The High Street Reservoir precinct, which comprises the properties at 658-694 and 763-793 High Street. The following elements contribute to the significance of the precinct.

- The shops to the extent of the inter-war fabric including surviving original/early shopfronts and awnings. The consistency of scale and original inter-war detailing is integral to significance of the precinct.
- The former State Savings Bank of Victoria branch at No.666, which is of individual significance (Please refer to separate citation)
- The residence and former doctor's surgery at No.662, which is of individual significance (Please refer to separate citation).

Non-original alterations and additions to the inter-war buildings and the buildings at 775-781 and 674-682 are not significant.

How is it significant?
The High Street, Reservoir precinct is of local historic significance to Darebin City.

Why is it significant?
The High Street, Reservoir precinct is historically significant as a representative example of an inter-war neighbourhood level shopping strip, which provides evidence of the suburban expansion of Preston during the 1920s development boom and in particular how the electrification of the Whittlesea railway stimulated commercial development along the route. As a representative example it demonstrates the strong associations between the development of commercial centres and public transport in the early to mid-twentieth century and how small centres with a range of services including shopping, financial and medical were established within easy walking distance of residential areas. (AHC criteria A.4, D.2)

Group