MAIN ENTRANCE GATES (GATE 6), PILLARS AND FENCE

The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University were completed in 1876 and represent the original approach to the main University buildings. The entrance was designed to enhance the setting of the University on the hill to the north of the city, with the land opposite the gates being left as open space to accentuate the approach. The main axes of the university were dictated by siting of the Old Quadrangle, and the Grattan Street entrance is located on the north-south axis. The entrance pillars are of interest for their Gothic-inspired design by Reed and Barnes, reflecting the major architectural style used for the university buildings during this period. The octagonal basalt pillars are decorated with quatrefoil motifs and capped by octagonal ogee domes with carved representations of shingles, and topped by a fleuron. The original decorative iron gates (which form part of this registration) are now located next to the Botany School. The fixing lugs for the gates are still visible in the pillars. The galvanised iron fence replaced the original 1850s wooden palisade between 1872 and 1880. 

The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University are of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University are historically significant as evidence of the original main entrance to the university. Their construction, together with the associated gate lodge, marked a formal boundary between the town and university. 

The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University are architecturally significant for their styling, consistent with the preferred Gothic Revival style of the main University buildings. The pillars were designed by architects Reed and Barnes. Reed was long time architect to the university and designed several significant buildings on the campus, including the old Wilson Hall, one of the finest Gothic Revival style buildings in Australia until destroyed by fire in 1952.