High Street South Residential - Kew - HO527
KEW, BOROONDARA CITY
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Statement of Significance
Statement of Significance
Wh at is significant?
The High Street South Residential precinct developed gradually between the late nineteenth and the first decades of the twentieth century. The development of the area generally relates to the initial horse tramway along High Street in the nineteenth century, followed by the introduction of the electric tram and the subdivision of the Findon Estate in the early twentieth century. The proximity to Kew Junction is also important. Of note are the high number of reasonably intact Victorian and Federation era dwellings, and the interwar dwellings in the western area of the precinct.
Buildings within the precinct are typically single and attic storey, double-fronted detached villas. A few larger double-storey villas, terraces and semi-detached dwellings are scattered throughout. Characteristics include the predominant use of brick and roughcast render, and Federation-style villas with prominent, decorative verandahs/porches and pitched terracotta tiled roofs. Interwar housing, in the form of bungalows and attic-storey residences, is primarily found in Henry Street, Bowen Street and the west end of Miller Grove.
Specific buildings of individual and contributory significance which are important to the precinct are identified in the attached schedule.
H ow is it significant?
The High Street South Residential precinct is historically and architecturally significant to the City of Boroondara.
Wh y is it significant?
Historically, the High Street South Residential precinct is significant for demonstrating the gradual pattern of subdivision and development of Kew from the mid-1870s through to the first decades of the twentieth century. The development on High Street followed a common pattern in the area, with initial development in the later Victorian period, generally close to Kew Junction, followed by a downturn in the 1890s economic 'bust', and then new development in the improving years after the turn of the century. Conversely, development to the west of High Street, including that of the former Findon estate, more readily exemplifies the residential subdivision of large nineteenth century estates in the early decades of the twentieth century. New streets (Miller Grove, Bowen Street and Henry Street) and medium sized allotments were created from a linear-form subdivision in 1913, which were subsequently developed during the late 1910s and 1920s. Despite the drawn out history of development, unifying characteristics of the Victorian and Federation era dwellings, and the later interwar development, include the generally consistent use of brick and overall uniformity of allotment sizes. The generally free-standing houses on generous sized allotments also reflect on the apparent affluence of the original residents and the desirability of the area.
Architecturally, the High Street South Residential precinct is significant for incorporating a variety of building types and styles from the Victorian and Federation eras, and interwar period. Dwellings of single and attic storeys, including double-fronted detached villas and some larger double-storey villas, are found in the precinct together with terraces and semi-detached dwellings. Brick and roughcast render are common materials, while double-fronted Federation-style villas stand out due to their
prominent, decorative verandahs/porches, including some with highlyornamented timber fretwork, and pitched terracotta tiled roofs. Thediagonal alignment of High Street, with dwellings on sharply angledfrontages, has encouraged construction of vigorous diagonally-orienteddesigns with views of side elevations, and entrance and verandahornamentation. Conversely, the 1920s bungalows in the west of theprecinct display a comparatively high occurrence of juxtaposed frontgables, rather than the simpler transverse roof type more commonelsewhere in Boroondara.-
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High Street South Residential - Kew - HO527 - Physical Description 1
The High Street South Residential precinct is a precinct with two parts - the larger area is located to the south of High Street close to the intersection of Barkers Road and the other area is located further north along High Street. The larger precinct includes all properties in Miller Grove and Henry Street, the majority of residential properties in Bowen Street and extends along the both the east and west sides of High Street (including properties between numbers 4 and 28 on the east and properties
between numbers 9 and 39 on the west side) and the north side of Barkers Road (including properties between numbers 81 to 101). The northern section is a small group of properties in High Street which includes numbers 63 to 73 on the west side and 72 to 98 on the east side. The area was gradually developed during the Victorian, Federation and interwar periods for residential purposes.
Buildings within the precinct are typically single and attic storey, double-fronted detached villas. A few larger double-storey villas, terraces and semi-detached dwellings are scattered throughout. Characteristics of the precinct include the predominant use of brick and roughcast render including in the construction of double-fronted Federation-style villas with prominent, decorative verandahs/porches and pitched terracotta tiled roofs.
In terms of Victorian development, the precinct comprises a number of single-storey brick Victorian villas, which are generally double fronted, and are dispersed throughout the precinct. These dwellings are indicative of the earlier phase of ribbon development along High Street prior to the 1890s Depression. As the century turned and economic conditions improved, much of the intervening allotments were occupied by Edwardian or Federation villas, fairly evenly divided between brick and timber villas and duplex pairs. Many of the timber residences featured notched weatherboards.
Interwar development in the precinct, in the form of bungalows and attic-storey houses, is primarily found in Henry Street, Bowen Street and the west end of Miller Grove, and their streetscape character therefore differs from that of High Street. Again, brick construction predominates, although not exclusively. These streetscapes also display more generous building setbacks and front gardens.
There is some later housing stock and non-contributory development, especially near the corners of Stevenson Street, which is likely to have replaced earlier housing stock. The allotments to Barkers Road generally are larger than those to High Street, and thus the houses - all brick villas -are of a grander scale.
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XAVIER COLLEGEVictorian Heritage Register H0893
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D'ESTAVILLEVictorian Heritage Register H0201
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SPRINGTHORPE MEMORIAL, BOROONDARA GENERAL CEMETERYVictorian Heritage Register H0522
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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