The properties at 279-281 Main Street, Lilydale (otherwise known as the Beresford Buildings) are significant. The form, scale and detailing of the substantial 1905 Federation Free Style commercial buildings are of local significance. The advertising signage, ground floor entrance treatments and awnings are not significant.

The Beresford Buildings are of local historical and aesthetic significance to the township of Lilydale.

The Beresford Buildings are a mirrored pair of two-storey brick shops with dwellings above. Each site is very narrow and they extend back to Market Street. The general built form of the shops is typical for the period, with the full width street façades with hipped roofs concealed by a parapet. The chimneys are characterised by plain brickwork with corbelled tops. The mirrored façade is distinguished by its Federation Free Style character which employs the redbrick and render idiom of the period.

 

The Beresford Buildings are historically significant to the township of Lilydale as remnant turn of the

century commercial premises located on the Main Street of Lilydale, having occupied and operated

from the site continually since 1905.

 

The Beresford Buildings are aesthetically significant to the township of Lilydale as intact and finely

detailed Federation Free Style shops. Key elements contributing to the aesthetic significance include

the exposed face brickwork contrasted with rendered elements, the octagonal pilasters capped with

an urn, moulded string courses, parapet detailing, paired casement windows and leadlight fanlights,

recessed arch motifs and remnant orbs on the parapet.