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Borussia

Other Name

Bialek College

Location

6 Shakespeare Grove, HAWTHORN VIC 3122 - Property No B1363

File Number

B1363

Level

Regional

Statement of Significance

`Borussia', constructed in 1879 to the design of J. A. B. Koch for William Alexander Brahe, prominent solicitor and leader of the German community in Melbourne, is of Regional significance for architectural and historic reasons.

Architecturally, the elaborate arcaded single-storey verandah with open balcony above, and semi-circular bay window, both unusually crowned with balustrading, are the most distinctive elements remaining. They display the bold use of architectural elements for decorative effect typical of Koch's work. The upper floor is now unbalanced, due to the replacement of all but one of the original windows and their embellishment. The significance of the house is enhanced by the existence of a number of other designs by Koch in the St. James Park area, which enable his distinctive Italian Renaissance Revival domestic style to be seen.

Historically, it was one of the earliest mansions in the St James Park area, which developed as possibly Melbourne's best precinct of detached Victorian villas. Retaining its spacious grounds (albeit altered), it is one of the most imposing in this area.

`Borussia' was also a centre of German cultural and social life from the time of its construction, along with the two other houses in the area owned by the Brahe family, until the strong anti-German sentiment, which came with the First World War.

First Classified: 6/9/62
Upgraded: Classified Regional 5/2/01
within St James Park Historic Area B7234

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House