HO144 BURKE ROAD PRECINCT EXTENSION

The Burke Road Precinct, comprising 86-92 Campbell Road, Hawthorn East, 36A-38 Tourello Avenue, 603-675 &488-520 Burke Road Camberwell/Hawthorn East is significant. The precinct comprises a notable collection of 1920s interwar development in combination with earlier Victorian and Federation examples. The precinct was in part subdivided by Amelia Tallis as a part of the Sunnyside Estate. The Arts and Crafts and Californian bungalows within the precinct are some of the finest and most substantial within Camberwell/Hawthorn, due to the prime location. The residential suburban landscape has been retained, despite being located next to a major thoroughfare. The suburban landscape is enhanced by the intact nature strips, the garden settings, and where they occur, the original front fences.

Furthermore, the interwar development along Burke Road illustrates the importance of the fixed-rail public transport to Camberwell's and Hawthorn's interwar suburban growth and development.

How is it significant?

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

Why is it significant?

The Burke Road Precinct is historically significant as tangible evidence of federation and interwar development of the nineteenth century subdivisions of Camberwell and Hawthorn. The range of building forms, consistent setbacks, and material consistency within the precinct reflects the use of covenant controls. Such building controls were a distinguishing characteristic of many Camberwell subdivisions, including the Sunnyside Estate. The Burke Road precinct is also historically significant as being in part (the east side) subdivided by the Tallis family, an influential family within the City of Boroondara. (Criterion A)

Architecturally, the Burke Road Precinct is representative of early nineteenth Century and interwar suburban development. The expression is predominately interwar, with the majority development occurring in the 1920s. The material consistency is representative of the interwar architectural styles and the development of the City of Boroondara as a whole. Variation is achieved through the decorative elements such as porch placement, fenestration and gable features. The fine examples of Arts and Crafts and Californian Bungalows are complemented by earlier development, two Victorian dwellings, one Queen Anne example and two Federation examples. The east side of Burke Road was developed in a short period of years, resulting an uncharacteristically homogenous group of 1920s bungalows. (Criterion D)

Aesthetically, the Burke Road Precinct is of significance as a collection of particularly fine 1920s bungalows which in combination with larger villas and mansions of the Victorian and Federation era create an impressive streetscape. The majority of the houses are 1920s bungalows with varying Arts and Crafts or Californian bungalow details. The homogenous use of material enhances the aesthetic significance of the precinct, almost all roofs feature Marseilles patterns terra cotta tiles, the gables are decorated with timber shingles, roughcast, or half timbering, materials which are seen in various combinations along Burke Road. Where they occur the examples of original brick and roughcast interwar fences are particularly elaborate and varying in design.

Individually Significant houses in the precinct have their own aesthetic significance. The mixture of elements and designs in the decorative detailing of the Victorian Mansion at 649 Burke Road, 'Colthurst', reflects the Boom Style of the 1880s. The architect designed villa at 675 Burke Road, built 1912, features a multitude of gables and bays. The dwelling reflects the picturesque and asymmetrical expression of the eclectic Queen Anne style.

'Buccleugh', the timber dwelling at 631 Burke Road is a Federation bungalow, simple in form and detailing. The deep veranda, simple roof form, and large garden setting is characteristic of the style. The architect designed red brick mansion, 'Linlithgow' was built in 1915-16. The asymmetrical form and brickwork detail, in combination with the two storey return verandah and complex roof form, represents the transitional style of this substantial mansion.

The substantial Arts and Crafts bungalow at 508 Burke Road was built in 1920-21. The asymmetrical form and dominating roof form is representative of the style. Similarly, the Arts and Crafts bungalow at 603 Burke Road is a particularly fine example of the style, featuring a triple gable front and a combination of brick and timber details.

'Irrewarra' at 667 Burke Road, dates from 1924, is an attic style rendered bungalow. The form and detailing is unusual for this part of Camberwell/Hawthorn featuring classical elements in its decoration. 'Mirrabooka', 671 Burke Road, is a particularly fine example of a 1920s Attic Bungalow, featuring a typical gable fronted form with a major and minor gable, tapered roughcast piers to the veranda, timber shingle gable ends and a roughcast and brick exterior. 621 Burke Road from c.1924 is a fine example of a brick Californian Bungalow with an original low brick fence and fine arched front porch. The house is highly intact, retaining its leadlight windows and Marseilles pattern terra cotta roof cladding. 673 Burke Road, a Californian Bungalow also built in 1924 is significant for its unusual shingled window hoods over the bay and bow windows. (Criterion E)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House