The Heights

What is Significant? The Heights is a 1.13 hectare property with a number of 19th century buildings in a landscaped setting. The buildings include a partially prefabricated timber residence, stables complex (stables, coach house, dovecote and groom's cottage), water tower, and timber outbuildings. The prefabricated portion of the house is of German origin and was constructed on the site in 1854 as a 14 roomed house for Charles Ibbotson, well-known Geelong businessman. The house has been substantially modified several times and only minor portions of the original framing and cladding are extant. Several additions and alterations were carried out from the mid 1850s until the 1970s including: a room and two servants' rooms (1856); further alterations (1860s); billiard room (pre1878); conservatory (1878, now demolished), house refurbishments (1890s); external alterations and extensive modernisation of the interior by the architect, Harold Bartlett (1938-39) during the ownership of the Whyte family, and major internal refurbishments and minor exterior additions from 1975 when the National Trust was bequeathed the property. The gardens at The Heights are an early surviving, reasonably intact example of a large urban 19th century villa garden and form a fitting landscape setting. The establishment is indicative of the lifestyles of affluent residents of the 19th century, with its complex of buildings, iron entry gates, back of house retaining wall, service drive retaining wall, rose arbour, formal garden bed layouts, paths and carriage drive, pond, fountain and paving circle, major exotic trees, understorey shrubs and box hedging.
The timber stables with gable roof forms and dormer windows appear to have been designed by the architects Prowse and Snell and were built in 1855. The stables are largely intact apart from some alterations to allow vehicular access. The groom's cottage was built in 1856-57 having tuck pointed ashlar basalt and dressed freestone quoining, and is in good condition and high integrity. The water tower, directly behind the main house, was constructed in c.1860. It is a unique structure of four levels (three above ground level) and is constructed of stone and timber. The water tower remains substantially intact with decorative timber detailing to the lookout tower, although the timber access stair to the lookout is no longer extant. The single storey bluestone stables complex is substantially intact and was constructed in 1862, probably to a design by the Geelong architect and surveyor, Joseph Shaw. The adjacent basalt and timber dovecote appears to have been constructed in the late 19th century and it is also largely intact, including the detailing of the nesting boxes within.
How is it significant? The Heights is aesthetically, architecturally and scientifically significant to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant? The Heights is aesthetically significant as an intact and rare known surviving example of a mid 19th century urban estate complete with main house, gardens, and outbuildings consisting of the stables complex, groom's cottage, water tower and dovecote. The garden illustrates early styles of planting and tastes in the main northern garden and in its overall layout, specifically the Gardenesque. The garden also shows contrasting styles and tastes of the 1930s and 1940s, which overlay parts of the original garden. The gardens contain a number of large and impressive trees that contribute significantly to the garden and visual amenity of the surrounding residential area.
The Heights setting is architecturally and scientifically significant for demonstrating original design and technical qualities as part of a substantial urban estate. The partially prefabricated imported main house, of German origin, is one of only two known surviving examples of this type in Victoria and is possibly the largest in Australia. The shiplap weatherboarding, with its unusual cyma recta moulding, is rare in Australia. The internal form and 1930s interior, particularly the kitchen, with its furniture and furnishings (having a direct provenance to the Ibbotson and Whyte families) contributes to the architectural amenity of the main house. The water tower is a unique structure for its elliptical plan, and as a functional building. These types of buildings were more often picturesque follies in large 19th century gardens, without a functional role. The outbuildings are also significant for demonstrating original Victorian Picturesque design qualities and for contributing to the architectural amenity of The Heights complex.
Adopted from Heritage Victoria statement: 15/01/2013
Classified: 09/10/1975

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House