The Willows

It comprises a medium-sized late-Victorian Italianate villa with unusual asymmetrical massing with a cast iron return verandah and detailing that illustrates a transition to Queen Anne influences. The house is significant as viewed and appreciated from Elizabeth Street, and is significant to the extent of its nineteenth century external form and fabric.

The modern alterations and additions are not significant.

How is it significant?
'The Willows' at 44 Elizabeth Street, Malvern is of local architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Stonnington.

Why is it significant?
Architecturally, 'The Willows' is a late representative example of a medium-sized Victorian Italianate villa built for middle-class residents of Malvern, of the sort that began to characterise the suburb in the 1880s and 1890s. The villa exhibits typical features of this type, including an asymmetrical plan form, cast iron verandah, a hipped roof clad in slate, and rendered chimneys with heavy cornices. (Criterion D).

Aesthetically, it is distinguished by its complex massing, fine bichrome brickwork and interesting detailing that illustrates the transition to Federation influences, including the corner bay window placed on the diagonal, eaves brackets set on a ground of roughcast render, the unusual bulging rendered window sills, and notable margin glazing of the double-hung sash windows. (Criterion E)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Villa