Residence
46 Eastern Beach, GEELONG VIC 3220 - Property No 213063
City East Heritage Area
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Statement of Significance
Significant
C Listed - Local Significance
STATEMENT OFSIGNIFICANCE
The house at 46 Eastern Beach, Geelong, has significance as an unusual and reasonably intact example of a postwar Freestyle Bungalow style, with an Arts and Crafts-like picturesque arrangement of roof forms. It was originally built in 1909 (with major alterations in 1947) for Geelong timber merchant, Thomas Higgans, and was later owned by Ella Solomon, wife of Julius Solomon, Managing Director of the well-known and established Geelong Department store, Solomon's Pty. Ltd., from the 1920s.
The house at 46 Eastern Beach is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. Although the house has experienced some alterations, it still demonstrates original and unusual design qualities of an eclectic Federation and postwar Freestyle Bungalow style. These qualities include the Arts and Crafts-like picturesque arrangement of roof forms (clad in overpainted corrugated galvanised iron) and protruding spatial forms. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the prominent rendered polygonal tower and the squat square tower which is angled approximately 45o to the extended balconied section of the house, rendered weatherboard wall construction, main central gable and attic dormers, timberdetailing of the side balconies, lofty chimney stacks and lower section of the polygonal corner tower, subtle Art Deco lines and moulds applied to the verandah loggia, north-west tower, parapet of the polygonal tower and bellcast balcony panelling, segmentally-arched entrance loggia below the bellcast-like panelling and the timber framed windows. The decorative rendered fence and mature shrubbery, together with uninterrupted views to Corio Bay, contribute to the significance of the place. The house at 46 Eastern Beach is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with residential devleopments in Geelong in the Federation (c.1895-1915) and postwar (post 1945) periods. In particular, this house has associations with Thomas Higgans, original owner and Geelong timber merchant from 1909, having had the house designed by the prolific Geelong architects, Laird and Buchan. The house also has associations with a the prominent Solomon family from 19, as it was purchased as the family home by Ella Solomon, wife of Julius Solomon, Managing Director of the well-known and established Geelong Department store, Solomon's Pty. Ltd. The Solomon family had long associations with the property (which they named Lorisville, presumably after their daughter, Loris), owning the property until 1962.
Overall, the house at 46 Eastern Beach is of LOCAL significance.
REFERENCES
Sands and McDougall Street Directory, 1912-1962, 1961-70.
Geelong Town Council Rate Books, Bellarine Ward, 1910-1953, Geelong Historical Records Centre.
Certificate of Title, 18 June 1922, 8 September 1922, Titles Office, Melbourne.
Laird and Buchan, Specifications: Residence at Eastern Beach for Thomas Higgans, file H.563, Geelong Historical Records Centre.
Laird and Buchan Account Book 1908-1909, Geelong Historical Records Centre.
Geelong Advertiser, 10 July 1933. C. Demllo, 'Digressions', in the Investigator, vol.25, 1990, pp.171-172.
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Residence - Physical Description 1
Description
The house at 46 Eastern Beach, Geelong, is set on a large allotment with a substantial front setback. The garden consists of several mature shrubs and flowers, with some lawned areas. The front is bound by an elaborate rendered brick fence with incised panels and capped piers, and is approximately 1200 mm high. There is also a steel gate. The house also has panoramic views to Corio Bay.
The two storey, cement rendered weatherboard, eclectic Federation and postwar Freestyle bungalow consists of an Arts and Crafts-like picturesque arrangement of roof forms (clad in oveprainted corrugated galvanised iron) and protruding spatial forms. The house is balanced by the main central gable that links the rear gabled wings. The significant protrusions include the prominent rendered polygonal tower and the squat square tower which is angled approximately 45 degrees to the extended balconied section of the house. Elements of Laird and Buchan's original design can be partially discerned in the main central gable and attic dormers, timber detailing of the side balconies, timber framed windows, lofty chimney stacks and lower section of the polygonal corner tower. These features were typical elements of the architects' work for the period and they also have an affinity with some of the contemporary designs by Melbourne architect Robert Haddon who worked in association with Laird and Buchan on some Geelong designs. Also of particular interest are the subtle Art Deco lines and moulds applied to the verandah loggia, north-west tower, parapet of the polygonal tower and bellcast balcony panelling. These Art Deco details are especially rare for Geelong houses and contribute to the uniqueness of the design. Furthermore, the segmentally-arched entrance loggia below the bellcast-like panelling, together with the ornamental cement-rendered fence, contribute to the distinctive and varied architectural display.
Residence - Physical Description 2
Mostly intact, 2 storey plus attic level with 3 level octagonal bay & 2 storey oblique, rectangular bay to front. Gable roof clad in corrugated metal sheeting, tall brick chimneys (now painted) with rendered capping & terracotta pots. 2 storey verandah with rendered piers (including panelling) & skirt-like balustrade, upper level now enclosed, arched openings to ground level. Altered balcony to 3rd level (appears to have had a solid balustrade), later aluminium opening beneath. Timber sash windows, some with multi-paned upper sashes, concrete stair to side. Early rendered fence with metal gate.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Geelong - Geelong City Urban Conservation Study, Volumes 2-5
Author: Graeme Butler
Year: 1991
Grading: CGreater Geelong - Geelong City Urban Conservation Study Volume 1
Author: Graeme Butler
Year: 1993
Grading: CGreater Geelong - Geelong City 'C' Citations Study
Author: Dr David Rowe
Year: 2002
Grading:
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FIRST CUSTOMS HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0185
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FORMER SCOTTISH CHIEFS HOTELVictorian Heritage Register H0662
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CORIO VILLAVictorian Heritage Register H0193
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