Norman Lodge including all buildings (interior and exterior); the Gothic revival style main house, gatekeeper's cottage, carriage house, men's quarters, chapel (formerly the hall), staff cottage and associated outbuilding, prefabricated weatherboard house, and garden and landscape features; the estate's driveway, garden paths and strolling garden. The buildings at 3 and 5 Albatross Avenue are not significant.
How is it significant?
Norman Lodge satisfies the following criteria for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:
- Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history.
- Criterion D: Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.
Why is it significant?
Norman Lodge is of historical significance as an intact example of one of several bayside estates constructed in the 1860s as summer retreats for Melbourne's businessmen. It is one of the few of these estates which was not substantially subdivided during the mie-twentieth century, when maintenance of these properties became difficult for individual families. (Criterion A)
Norman Lodge is of historical significance for its association with several important Melbourne businessmen in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries including Richard Grice, Thomas Baker and Norman Myer. Grice became a principal pastoralist in the colony within a few years of his arrival in Australia in 1839, and his mercantile house became one of the oldest and foremost in Australia. Thomas Baker was a photographic scientist, philanthropist and founder of the Australian branch of the Kodak film company and established the Thomas and Alice Baker Institute of Medical Research. Norman Myer, a nephew of Sidney Myer, became the chairman and managing director of Myer Emporium Ltd. in 1938. (Criterion A)
Norman Lodge is also of historical significance for its association with philanthropic ideals espoused by some companies in the early twentieth century, exemplified in the property's use by Myer employees. Norman Lodge is historically significant for its function as a holiday and convalescent home for Myer employees; as such it holds importance for past Myer employees, their families and holidaymakers to the Mornington Peninsula. (Criterion A)
Norman Lodge demonstrates the principal characteristics of a large Gothic Revival style house in a garden setting with outbuildings. The main house is a notable example of the Gothic Revival style. It remains largely intact and retains its distinctive carved timber verandah detailing. Norman Lodge is also notable for its collection of outbuildings and ancillary structures, especially the Gothic Revival style gatehouse and prefabricated weatherboard cottage (Criterion D).
The place is also significant for the retention of original garden and landscape elements, which provide both a setting for the heritage buildings and evidence of the original landscape planning. These elements include Monterey Cypress trees which may be contemporary with the construction of the main house, a rare example of a strolling garden, a long driveway connecting the gatekeeper's cottage with the main house and original pedestrian pathways. (Criterion D)
