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Former Pately

Other Names Richmond House ,  Lindisfarne Location 56 Avoca Street,, SOUTH YARRA VIC 3141 - Property No B0222 File Number B0222 Level State

[1/1] B0222 Richmond House 56 Avoca

Statement of Significance

Richmond House, originally known as Pately and then Lindisfarne, was erected in 1858-9 for Edward Wheelock, a Melbourne importer of American stoves and hardware. The six room, two storey brick and stucco town house with unusual single storey post verandah was extended in 1861-68 for G W Selby, pioneer colonist. The author of the transitional Italianate style house is unknown.
Richmond House is representative of an identifiable suburban town house group erected in the decade 1855-65 in the South Yarra area. The style is unusual in Melbourne, being clearly derived from earlier colonial architectural traditions enhanced with the popular and modish italianate grammar of the post gold rush era in Melbourne. The town house is notable for the fine proportions of the facades and fenestration combined with an unusual and refined verandah.
Richmond House has been enhanced internally and the original fabric altered and extended externally. The building survives in a recognisably intact form and compared with similar buildings in the same region, is of relatively high integrity.
Classified: 17/07/1958