Dwelling

History/Notes
Land at 11 Stephen Street early formed part of the 'Newtown Brae' Estate subdivision of 1912. This dwelling was designed in late 1934 by the Melbourne architectural firm, Irwin and Stevenson, for Geoffrey L. Strachan, woolbroker. It was constructed in late 1934 and early 1935 by C.J. Totterdell, builder.

Strachan was born in c.1895, the son of James Ford and Marion (nee Aitken) Strachan. He married Gladys Kettlewell and they had two children: Hugh and Susan.

The two storey, painted brick, interwar Georgian Revival style dwelling has steeply-pitched gabled roof forms that traverse the site, together with a gabled garage wing that projects towards Stephen Street. This garage wing appears to be original but with the street facade altered. There is a minor gabled wing that also projects towards Stephen Street. The roofs are clad in tiles and there are substantial rendered, rectangular chimneys, wide eaves with returns on the gable ends and terra cotta lancet ventilators.

The principal facade appears to be the north elevation that faces onto the private yard where there is an elevated terrace. There is a regular arrangement of timber framed windows and doors featuring timber shutters.

Apart from some alterations to the front of the garage, the dwelling appears to be largely intact and in good condition.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriage Indexes, Department of Justice online, November 2015.
Newtown Building Permit Register, 1934, City of Greater Geelong.
Newtown Rate Books, 1930, 1934, 1935, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Laird & Buchan Sketch Books, 401A, SK34, p.2, with note stating "for Irwin & Stevenson", Geelong Library & Heritage Centre. Certificate of Title, vol. 3210 fol. 835.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House