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Former Barunah

Other Names

Mansem , Tower House

Location

82 Dundas Street and Cnr Newcastle Street,, THORNBURY VIC 3071 - Property No B2318

File Number

B2318

Level

Regional

[1/2]
B2318 Barunah Thornbury
[2/2]
B2318 Barunah 82 Dundas St

Statement of Significance

Built on four lots of an 1887 subdivision of Michael Pender's original Crown Section, Barunah was briefly the home of Pottery Manufacturer, Frank A Harris, after its completion in 1892. Harris had started the Fitzroy Steam Brick, Pipe, Tile and Pottery Works at Clifton Hill and in 1878, the Builder's Brick and Tile Supply Company in Preston, not far from Barunah.
Barunah is a remarkably intact, large Victorian period house, both internally and externally; the ruled and rusticated stucco having survived unpainted. A window bay, spire and a two-level arcaded cast-iron verandah flank the central Italianate manner tower which itself is adorned with a scrolled and bracketed broken pediment over the entrance arch.
The interior is dominated by the encaustic tiled stair hall with its twin upper-flight staircase and pedimented overdoors facing the hall. Deeply bracketed cornices, detached Ionic columns at the hall arch and panelled spandrels to this arch are main elements of the richly decorated plaster throughout the house.
Stables are included, the fence is excluded.
Classified: 'Local' 29/10/1970
Revised: 05/08/1982

Group

Residential buildings (private)