Residence

Previously C Listed - Local Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The semi-detached house at 36 Alexandra Avenue, Geelong, has significance as a reasonably intact and unusual example of the Victorian Italianate style. Built in 1886 for William Bell and Sons to a design by the Geelong architect Joseph Watts (as part of a duplex of semi-detached houses), the building appears to be in good condition when viewed from the street.The semi-detached house at 36 Alexandra Avenue is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities of the Victorian Italianate style. These qualities include the hipped roof form that traverses the site, together with the projecting bay window at the front with a conical roof, and the front verandah form. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the single storey height, asymmetrical composition (or symmetrical composition as part of the duplex), horizontal weatherboard wall cladding, galvanised corrugated steel roof cladding, two rendered brick chimneys with projecting cornices, rendered party wall that rises above the main roof, narrow eaves with worked timber brackets, arched timber framed double hung windows with decoratively moulded architraves having moulded capitals at the springing of the arches, punctuating keystones in the arched window heads, timber framed double hung window under the front verandah, and the timber framed doorway with a four panelled timber door and sidelights and highlights. The front cast iron palisade fence with a bluestone plinth also contributes to the significance of the place. The architectural significance of the semi-detached house at 36 Alexandra Avenue also relies on the retention of the neighbouring house at 38 Alexandra Avenue.The semi-detached house at 36 Alexandra Avenue is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with residential developments in Geelong in the second half of the 19th century. In particular, this house has associations with William Bell and Sons who instigated construction in 1886. This house and the neighbouring semi-detached house were designed by the Geelong architect Joseph Watts.Overall, the semi-detached house at 36 Alexandra Avenue is of LOCAL significance.

REFERENCES

Reports and Drainage Plans, Barwon Water profis system, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1983.

Voters' Roll, Bellerine Ward, 1992, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Electoral Roll, Division Corio, Subdivision Geelong, 1984, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Sands & McDougall's Directory of Geelong, 1972, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Sands & McDougall "Invicta" Geelong Directory, 1968, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Geelong City Council Rate Books (Bellerine Ward), 1881-1960.

Geelong Town Plan 1881, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Morrow, W.J., Index to the Geelong Advertiser, 1886, Geelong Historical Records Centre.

Copy of Land Titles Search with associated documents, H. Buxton.

Rowe, D., 'Architecture of Geelong 1860-1900', B. Arch Thesis, Deakin University, 1991.

R. Hill, 'Joseph Watts', Geelong Biographical Register in the Investigator, vol.25, no. 1, 1990.

HLA-Envirosciences Pty Ltd, 'Conservation Plan - Limeburners Point, Geelong', April 1996, pp.3-4.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House