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Tintern House & Garden

Location

10 Tintern Avenue,, TOORAK VIC 3142 - Property No B0229

File Number

B0229

Level

National

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B0229 Tintern House
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B0229 Tintern House Facade
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B0229 Tintern 10 Tintern Ave
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B0229 Tintern Garden
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B0229 Tintern Garden
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B0229 Tintern Garden
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B0229 Tintern Garden
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B0229 Tintern Garden
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B0229 Tintern Garden

Statement of Significance

What is significant? Tintern is a single storey mansion erected in 1855 for William Westgarth. The oldest part of the house is a ten room portable iron dwelling, manufactured by W and P McLellan of Glasgow and erected in 1855. Between 1870 and 1894 the house was dramatically extended, before some demolition of the eastern section in the late 19th century. There have been some largely undated alterations in subsequent years.
How is it significant? Tintern is of scientific, historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant? Tintern is of scientific (technical) significance as a very rare surviving example of a 19th century pre-fabricated iron dwelling. Manufactured by W. and P. McLellan of Glasgow, the earliest part of the house illustrates the application of 19th century industrial techniques to housing construction and provides some idea of the nature of colonial development in the middle of the 19th century. The importation of portable houses to Australia reflected both the shortage of materials and workers in gold rush Victoria and the economic reliance of the colonies on Britain. While a large number of pre-fabricated dwellings were imported to Victoria during the gold rushes to cope with Melbourne's rapidly growing population, very few now remain here, or, indeed, in the world. The use of decorative cast iron to simulate traditional rendered finishes, including brackets and scrolls, is a notable feature of the house. Tintern is of historical significance for its association with William Westgarth (1815-1889), eminent pioneer colonist, author, politician, merchant and historian who was responsible for the construction of the building, although he owned it for only a short period.
Tintern is of architectural significance for the two 20th century fireplaces which are the work of the noted architect Harold Desbrowe Annear.
Adopted from Heritage Victoria statement 27/06/2012
House classified: 'Regional'' before October, 1968
Revised: 'National' 17/04/1969:

Garden Significance: Tintern's garden was subdivided in 1902 during the ownership of architect Walter Butler. The reduced site was possibly re-landscaped by Desbrowe Annear in the 1920s-30s.
It is of Regional significance:
- as the setting of a residence of outstanding architectural, historical and technological significance;
- for remnants of a former city mansion garden, including the remains of the early house podium, the bluestone steps, the stylish wall and eastern elevation of the residence;
- for its retention of a large and rare Quercus macrocarpa (Burr Oak);
- for its aesthetic qualities largely derived from the long views through the garden to the residence and the large planted site which forms a strong contrast with the dense surrounding urban development.
The garden at Tintern is also of Local significance:
- as a typical formal garden design of the inter-war period, major features include the formal sunken garden, balustrading, hedge and earthen podium on which the house sits;
- for its collection of trees and shrubs typical of the inter-war and post-war periods, some of individual botanical interest including a Davidia involucrata, Fagus sylvatica 'Atropunicea' and Eucalyptus citriodora.
Garden classified: 'Regional' 20/11/1991

File note 27/06/2012: G13019 amalgamated & filed with B0229

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