Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Southesk

Other Name Ordsall Location Cnr Cotham Road & Charles Street, KEW VIC 3101 - Property No B1512 File Number B1512 Level Demolished/Removed

[1/1] B1512 Southesk cnr Cotham Rd

Statement of Significance

Built 1887 by John Halfey, builder & leading figure in Victoria, as his residence. Replaced an older 1858 building which still stood behind Southesk. The two front rooms had painted ceilings done in the style of Italian frescoes and executed by Vanden, Branden and Rizzi, artists to Hill and Co. in May 1887. While not deemed world class, the frescoes were unique to Melbourne. The house itself was built in Renaissance Villa style on bluestone foundations. Two balustrades surrounded the parapet of the roof and ran between the groups of pillars on either side of the entrance porch. The verandah was tiled and wide and its roof was supported by Corinthian columns.