Back to search results » | Back to search page » |
Other Name40 Murphy Street, South Yarra Location40 Murphy Street SOUTH YARRA, STONNINGTON CITY LevelIncluded in Heritage Overlay |
|
What is significant? The house is two-storeys in height and built of red face brick with
cement-rendered dressings. The main roof is a high hipped roof covered
in slate. The facade is dominated by a wide two-storey projecting
polygonal bay on one side, and a single-storey projecting room with a
parapet on the other. The projecting room was an early addition. The
house is entered via a small porch structure on the north side. The front brick fence, side garage and glass hood over the front door
are not significant.
How is it significant?
Why is it significant?
'Ilfracombe', at 40 Murphy Street, South Yarra, is significant.
The house was built in 1889-90 for pioneer of the Australian
accounting profession, Joseph Henry Flack, and his wife Marion. The
Flacks resided there until their deaths in 1918 and 1924, respectively.
'Ilfracombe' is of local architectural significance to the City of
Stonnington.
Architecturally, 'Ilfracombe' is a striking example of the major
changes in architectural design in the late 1880s, completely
rejecting the applied cement and cast-iron ornament that typified
Victorian Italianate houses and moving to a very modern, sculptural
and stripped back form without even a verandah. The two-storey
polygonal bay on the facade is the main decorative feature, as are the
contrasting red face brick and render dressings. The design approach
can be seen as a free form interpretation of the Queen Anne Revival
from Britain, and is reflected in the geometric leadlight highlights.
The use of louvered shutters (removed) and stripped-back detail also
suggests an early Georgian Revival influence. (Criterion D)
Residential buildings (private)
House