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Former M.H. Baillieu Residence And Garden

Location

729 Orrong Road, TOORAK VIC 3142 - Property No G13131

File Number

G13131

Level

State

Statement of Significance

The former M.H. Baillieu residence and garden, 729 Orrong Road, Toorak, designed by noted architect H. Desbrowe Annear in 1925 and retained in family ownership for over four decades, is of State cultural significance:

- for the largely unaltered residence which retains unpainted tapestry brickwork and cement render, and the design of which is an accomplish mix of classically-derived elements used with a Baroque exuberance;

- for the layout, design and major planting of the garden; this aspect illustrates a prevailing enthusiasm for Italian and Mediterranean influenced gardens and this is amongst the best surviving examples in Victoria of this style, especially given the complementary ensemble of house and garden and the general intactness of the design;

- for the design and workmanship of its architectural landscape elements, including retaining walls, garden walls, steps, balustrades, tennis court, the drive and pathways; the external masonry wall is of special importance for its design (which incorporates architectural elements of the residence and has oculi with wrought iron bars permitting vistas into and out of the garden);

- for its planting, especially the mature trees and cypress hedges, and the tradition of planting the perennial borders.

- for its aesthetic qualities, principally derived from the vistas within the garden, changes of level, mature planting and consistent use of masonry for architectural elements of the garden;

- for the survival of the plan by Harold Desbrowe Annear, a towering figure in the history of Australian architecture and design; his garden plans are extremely scarce and this plan communicates ideas not fully realised in the property; and

- for the manner in which it demonstrates an important phase in the urban development of Toorak and South Yarra, long regarded as the elite residential area of Melbourne; it is linked in its significance to the nearby mansion Trawalla on whose garden it was developed.

Group