Nirrana

'Niarrana', at 2 Raleigh Street, Essendon, is significant. The house was built in 1908-09 for Charles Elliot Vandeleur.

Significant elements of the place include the:

Asymmetrical, single-storey built form;

of its original roof form, verandah, and fenestration.

The integrity of the building is enhanced by thehighlevel of intactness of these main elements, which include the chimneys, gablet above the verandah, eaves details, detailing to gable ends and window hood, bay windows, verandah decoration, and window and door joinery.

The house is significant to the extent of its 1909 fabric. The modern rear extension and carport are not significant. The early interwar concrete and wire front fence is a contributory element.

How is it significant?

2 Raleigh Street, Essendon, is of local architectural (representative) and aesthetic significance to the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?

'Nirrana' at 2 Raleigh Street, Essendon, is of architectural significance as a fine representative example of a Queen Anne villa. It demonstrates principal characteristics of the style in its symmetrical plan centred on a diagonal axis which is created by gables to the two street frontages flanking a short return verandah, and marked by the front door and gablet above it. The high hipped roof with tall red brick chimneys with rendered caps, and casement windows with highlights are also characteristic features. The house is particularly notable for the Art Nouveau influence seen in the scrolled fretwork of the verandah and the corner gablet, the oriental arch motif seen on the verandah and the chimneys, and the king-post motif of the gable half-timbering. The presentation of the house is enhanced by an unusual early interwar fence with concrete posts and cyclone wire mesh whose corner gateway directs the eye along the diagonal axis to the elaborate front entrance. (Criteria D and E)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House