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Former Earlsbrae Hall

Other Names Lowther Hall - C E G G S ,  Lowther Hall Anglican Girls Grammar School Location 29 Leslie Road,, ESSENDON VIC 3040 - Property No B0537 File Number B0537 Level State

[1/1] B0537 Lowther Hall 29 Leslie

Statement of Significance

Lowther Hall, a monumental colonnaded Corinthian Classic Revival mansion is standing in reduced grounds in Leslie Road, Essendon It was originally called Earlesbrae Hall and erected in 1890 for wealthy Melbourne brewer Collier McCracken. The architects were Lawson and Grey and the builder W K Noble. The two storey brick structure is rendered and decorated with modelled stucco.
Lowther Hall, the residence for many years of celebrated eccentric and Coles' Book Arcade founder E W Cole, was renamed in 1920 after Anglican Archbishop Lowther Clarke, and converted to a girls' grammar school. The mansion house with impressive corinthian colonnade and classical detail is a unique Classic Revival design in Victoria and the finest of the few documented works of architects Lawson and Grey. The structure is notable for the high quality of materials and finishes and the elaborate and well crafted interior spaces.
Lowther Hall stands intact and in use as a girls' grammar school. The exterior colonnade is being restored and the interior remains well preserved although minor unsympathetic alterations have been undertaken.
Classified: 'Regional'
Revised: 03/08/1998