The stables at 39 McGrettons Road, Healesville, are located within

the large Bona Vista property, being one of a collection of

outbuildings. The stables building, which may date from the 1880s, is

constructed of brick, on a rectilinear plan. The building is

double-height, has a large gabled roof form with brick gable ends, and

a large single-height skillion-roofed lean-to. The double-height

indicates an internal loft or mezzanine space, probably used as a hay

loft, which was typical of stables of this period.

The Bona Vista property, at 39 McGrettons Road, Healesville, is of

local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance.

Bona Vista, at 39 McGrettons Road, Healesville, is of local

historical significance as a property which dates back to the second

half of the nineteenth century, when land west of the township of

Healesville was developed as large grazing estates with homesteads.

James F Sullivan owned the land in 1865, which at that time extended

for 775 acres; in the 1880s under the ownership of J C Steel, the

landholding was known as Bona Vista. The 1880s residence and stables

building likely date from Steel's ownership; the two substantial brick

buildings set within expansive grounds also provide evidence of a very

extensive historic rural landholding in this area of Healesville. The

stables are also significant as a substantial surviving outbuilding

associated with a large grazing property established in the second

half of the nineteenth century in Healesville. The building, through

its large size and brick construction, helps demonstrate the scale and

operation of the nineteenth century property, and the need for

substantial horse accommodation. The stables are also an unusual

surviving building type in the municipal context. In addition, the

1880s residence and stables are of local aesthetic/architectural

significance. The residence, to its original component, is a

substantially externally intact example of a large Victorian house

which displays common characteristics such as a symmetrical form and

plan, and main single hipped roof. The building is distinguished

through its original ashlar 'block' external finish, and detailing to

window and door openings including side lights, top lights, chamfered

wall edges, and bracketed sills. The stables is also significant as a

substantially externally intact and comparatively large stables

building with gable ends, which retains its original openings and

timber doors on the north elevation. The treed setting of the historic

buildings further contributes to the aesthetic value of the property.

Integrity: No 39 McGrettons Road, Healesville, is a large property comprising a collection of historic and other buildings, sited within a generous treed setting. The buildings recommended for protection under the Heritage Overlay are the Victorian residence and the 1880s stables building. Other buildings on the property, including large iron-clad hay and storage sheds, are not of heritage value. The treed setting also contributes to the heritage character of the property, including a large oak tree.

The c.1880s residence is single-storey and comprises an original component on a cruciform plan, with a principal rectilinear north-facing wing, with a symmetrical facade, and a short central rear (south wing). This original component is of rendered brick, with a ruled ashlar 'block' finish, and has a single main hipped roof clad in corrugated steel sheeting, with a smaller hip to the rear wing, and two rendered and corniced chimneys. A verandah returns around the north, east and west sides; it has a simple form with plain timber posts and a concrete base, with stone footings visible in places. The verandah fabric is not original; the verandah roof is concave. Original windows are timber-framed double-hung sashes, with side lights and chamfered detailing to wall edges, and bracketed sills. The entrance door is centrally located in the main wing, and it too has side and top lights, similarly detailed to the windows. Later additions which generally engulf the rear (south) side of the building, are not of heritage value.

The c.1880s stables building is constructed of face brick, and is a double-height building on a rectilinear plan, with a stone base. It has a large gabled roof form with brick gable ends, and a large single-height skillion-roofed and iron-clad lean-to on the south side. The north facade has a series of original openings, including louvred windows, sliding timber doors and a larger opening with timber doors at the west end, presumably for carriage access. The double-height indicates the building originally had an internal loft or mezzanine space, probably used as a hay loft, which was typical of stables of this period. The skillion lean-to houses vehicles, and is not a significant component of the building.

The area identified for inclusion in the Heritage Overlay (see map above), includes a concentration of buildings and land area. As noted above, the focus of significance is on the two historic buildings described here, and their treed setting.