"Acton", Residence
41 Virginia Street, NEWTOWN VIC 3220 - Property No 205393
Newtown Hill Heritage Area
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Statement of Significance
B Listed - Regional Significance
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
Constructed in 1930 as the private residence of Stewart Balfour, garage proprietor, "Acton" has regional historical significance for its associations with the important Geelong motor trade. Balfour Motors, which originally owned a cycle business in Malop Street, took over larger premises previously owned by Denys Lascelles, wool merchants, on the corner of Gheringhap and Mercer Streets, and provided new car and petrol sales and an early car wash and tyre retreading service. Balfour Motor premises were used during the 1930s as the Geelong headquarters of the R.A.C.V. It has regional architectural significance as a relatively rare and charming Tyrolean interpretation of the English Cottage manner. It is particularly intact and well maintained. Contextural elements such as garage, fence, gates and entry pergola, side hedge and garden, contribute to its significance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Existing Listings - None
Recommendations - RNE LPS Area 2 Place
REFERENCE:
Newtown Rate Book 1929, No 121.
Ibid 1931 No. 121.
Ibid 1932 No. 121.
Trevor Nicholls, Balfourn Motors (Formerly Balfour Bros. Pty Ltd, 1990, unpaginated.
Newtown rate book 1932 No 121.
Nicholls.
Ibid 20 April, 1932
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"Acton", Residence - Physical Description 1
DESCRIPTION:
A romantic Tyrolean interpretation of the English Cottage manner, particularly well built and intact.
There is a major jerkin-head roof facing the street and another facing the left-hand side. A recessed first-floor balcony faces the street set into the gable-end, which is unpainted render, all timbered, extending up as a balustrade to the balcony with a floral window-box. Beneath, is a recessed porch on the right-hand side and a shallow bow window on the left. There is another recessed porch at left. The first-floor jetties forward with fretwork barges, exposed rafters and pendant bosses. There is a garage similar to the house, set back. There is a matching clinker brick fence, with slots and soldier course decoration with a header cap between piers and an entry pergola with wrought iron vehicular gates. The garden appears to be largely intact, with various clipped topiary bushes, including a side-hedge and a huge cypress.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Geelong - Geelong Region Historic Buildings and Objects Study
Author: Allan Willingham
Year: 1986
Grading: BGreater Geelong - City of Newtown Urban Conservation Study
Author: Context Pty Ltd
Year: 1991
Grading: BGreater Geelong - City of Newtown Urban Conservation Study
Author: Richard Peterson
Year: 1997
Grading: B
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GEELONG TOWN HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0184
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ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCHVictorian Heritage Register H0187
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ANZ BANKVictorian Heritage Register H0191
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