Oxbridge House
12 Grandview Grove HAWTHORN EAST, BOROONDARA CITY
Victoria Road Precinct
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
1. Built 1889-90 for and possibly by the builders Huddlestone and Brown, with additions in 1905 to the designs of the architect, E.A. Bates, of Hyndman and Bates, "Uxbridge House" has historical significance as an example of the important role of building firms, building societies and architects in the boom years in suburban Hawthorn. The house has associations with at least three building societies - the Fourth Victorian Permanent Property Building and Investment Company, the Fifth Original South Melbourne Terminating Building Society and the Australian Widows Fund. It has historical significance, also, for its associations from 1896 to 1907 with the notable Bates family. Annie Cramer Williams Bates was the widow of parliamentarian, William Bates (1826-1891), Member for Collingwood 1868-74 and Minister in the McCulloch government. "Uxbridge" was named after William Bates' birthplace in Middlesex, England. Annie engaged her son, the architect, E.A. Bates, to make additions to the house in 1905. Bates later joined the firm Bates, Peebles and Smart, the forerunner of the present Bates, Smart and McCutcheon.
2. "Uxbridge House" has historical significance, also, for its associations from 1907 until 1985 with the Melbourne jeweller, F.R. Abrecht, and his descendants. The firm that bears his name is still operating in Coll ins Street.
3. Architecturally significant as the design for his own family home by the important Melbourne architect E.A. Bates.
4. Architecturally significant for the illustration of the change in taste in dwelling style from the Victorian villa into the Edwardian period. An unusual example of the application of primarily Queen Anne details to a Victorian villa.
-
-
Oxbridge House - Physical Description 1
This garden villa has been extensively altered, first by Bates in 1905, then for Abrecht. The extent of each phase of alterations is not clear. They would appear to include the conservatory, leaded glass and gallery additions, and the alterations to the verandah and probable addition of the gabled bay.
The quirky tower may relate to either the original house or the major alterations.
The present condition appears to be substantially intact to the 1905/6 form. It comprises a single storey house built relatively close to the road and executed in render with a slate roof. An octagonal tower provides a corner element which addresses the garden on two sides. Adjoining is a tall gabled bay incorporating intricate fretwork and an almost Art Nouveau sinuously framed window. This is joined by a small entry porch with timber valence, then a wide hipped bay returning to a verandah recess. Elaborate leaded glazing is used in most openings.
Heritage Study and Grading
Boroondara - Hawthorn Heritage study 1992
Author: Meredith Gould, Conservation Architects
Year: 1992
Grading: A
-
-
-
-
-
AUBURN PRIMARY SCHOOL NO.2948Victorian Heritage Register H1707
-
AUBURN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H1559
-
PARLINGTONVictorian Heritage Register H0731
-
"1890"Yarra City
-
"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
-
"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
-
-