CAMBERWELL ROAD ESTATE PRECINCT

The Camberwell Road Estate Precinct, comprising 1-1A & 2-6 Acheron Avenue and 458-486 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, is significant. The land comprising the precinct and the surrounding area was originally William Newnham's farm, from about 1870. He subdivided part of his land in 1888, a parcel known as Newnham's Orchard, in 1888, which created the Camberwell Road Estate. Further subdivision around Acheron Avenue took place in the early 1920s.

The housing stock of the precinct was built rapidly in the decade following subdivisions in 1926. The precinct is comprised of interwar masonry houses (all detached apart from one maisonette pair at 1-1A Acheron Avenue).

The properties at 458, 460 and 470 Camberwell Road are Significant. The remainder of the properties are Contributory, apart from 476 Camberwell Road which is Non-contributory.

How is it significant?

The precinct is of local historic, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Boroondara.

Why is it significant?

Historically, the precinct is a tangible illustration of the division of large residential holdings in Camberwell during the interwar period when this part of Camberwell was the focus of substantial suburban growth. This contrasts with the small amount of development that took place during the late 19th and early 20th century in the area, despite the subdivision of part of Newnham's Orchard in 1888. The integration of a garage into house designs, as seen at 458 and 470 Camberwell Road, is also of interest an innovation that began to be seen in the 1930s, indicating the growing importance of cars. (Criterion A)

Architecturally, the houses in the precinct are superior examples of styles popular during the late 1920s and the 1930s, including California Bungalow, Interwar Mediterranean and Tudor/Old English houses. The houses exhibit a high level of intactness, including the retention of matching front fences to almost all houses. (Criterion D)

Aesthetically, the precinct is significant as a collection of houses with a high level of intact decorative detail, seen particularly among the Tudor/Old English houses (at 1-1A & 2A-4 Acheron Avenue; and 458 & 470 Camberwell Road) with their picturesquely varied brickwork. The precinct is also distinguished by the large scale of most of the Camberwell Road houses, which are even more prominent due to their elevated siting

Individually Significant houses in the precinct have their own aesthetic significance. Stratford, at 458 Camberwell Road is a fine and generally intact example of an interwar suburban residence combining contemporary Tudor references. The careful integration of a garage into the front elevation of the house is of note and the survival of the original fence and driveway configuration contributes to the setting of the house.

470 Camberwell Road is a very picturesque example of the Tudor/Old English style with a very steep central gable. There are numerous cladding materials adding visual interest, including ruled render to the front gable with accents of tapestry brick bats to the eaves and the entrance arch, random stone rubble to the base of the front porch and steps, and a broad band of cream bricks below the diamond-pane windows. Below this band, on the left-hand side of the facade, is a garage which appears to be original. The eclectic mix of forms and materials reflects its purpose as an 'advertisement' of the skills of local builders, the Ameys, who owned and constructed it.

460 Camberwell Road is a substantial Interwar Mediterranean Revival by designer-builder A Mortimer McMillan. Cordova-pattern roof tiles and textured stucco on the walls give it a Spanish Mission flavour. Distinctive details include a Serlian window with bevelled glass, and unusual chimneys with an intricate fluted shaft and cap. The house has an extremely long facade which gives it a landmark quality, enhanced by its corner site, deep garden setback and front fence. Presentation of all the Camberwell Road houses is enhanced by their elevated position above the road. The retention of original front fences and generally consistent setbacks throughout the precinct add to its appreciation. The large and well-formed mature oak tree in the front garden of 470 Camberwell Road enhances the appearance of this house and the streetscape. (Criterion E)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House