Redcourt Avenue Precinct

What is significant?

The Redcourt Avenue Precinct, Armadale, is an interwar residential area resulting from the subdivision of the nineteenth century Redcourt and Sebrof mansion estates. Developed in large part by builders Dickson and Yorston Pty Ltd in the 1930s, the precinct is predominately comprised of handsome single and double-storey interwar villas. Elements which contribute to the significance of the precinct include:

- High degree of intactness of the area to its c1942 state and extent to which its development in one main period is apparent.

- The interwar building stock predominately comprising substantial villas but also including a block of flats from the same period.

- The high architectural quality of individual dwellings, each of a distinctive character but collectively reflecting the styles and tastes of the inter-war period.

- Historical relationship to the Sebrof and Redcourt mansions on Orrong Road.

- The predominately double-storey scale of built form within the precinct

- The detached form of the early dwellings with generally uniform front and side setbacks and street orientation.

- Intactness of interwar built form and extent to which original detailing survives. Building stock survives largely unaltered and the area is notable for the general absence of prominent additions and alterations.

- Face brick or render materiality and hipped or gabled roofscapes with chimneys and terracotta or slate tile cladding.

- The open landscape character of most sections of the precinct resulting from undeveloped front setbacks and established garden settings, including the terraced landscapes at 1 and 3 Redcourt Avenue and 341 Dandenong Road. The retention of many original low height stone rubble or brick front fences also contributes to this quality

- Vehicle accommodation typically sited in discrete locations in side or rear setbacks with single driveway access along side boundaries.

- Allotment patterns reflecting the original interwar subdivision of the surrounding mansion estates.

How is it significant?

The Redcourt Avenue Precinct is of local historical and aesthetic significance.

Why is it significant?

The Redcourt Avenue Precinct is of historical significance as an illustration of the type of affluent suburban development which took place in the interwar period following the subdivision of large Victorian era estates (Historic Theme: 8.1.3 The end of an era - mansion estate subdivisions in the twentieth century). The presence of the Redcourt and Sebrof mansions was central to the development of the character of the surrounding streets and in imparting a cachet to the area which would influence the nature and quality of subsequent house building. The precinct is of added significance for its association with prestige builders and estate developers Dickson and Yorston Pty Ltd.

The Redcourt Avenue Precinct is of aesthetic significance as a highly intact streetscape of substantial interwar villas in a broad range of architectural styles. The quality of their design and construction, the stylistic diversity and the attractive garden settings with low front fences all contribute to the significance of the place as a fine and distinctive example of affluent residential development from the interwar period (Historic Theme:8.4.1 Houses as a symbol of wealth, status and fashion). The aesthetic significance of the precinct is enhanced by the presence of house designs by accomplished interwar architects including Gordon J Sutherland, A Mortimer McMillan and RM and MH King.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residential Precinct