Tooronga
17 Pevensey Crescent, GEELONG VIC 3220 - Property No 217267
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Statement of Significance
A Listed - State Significance
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Historically, connected to three prominent Geelong residents, Scott, Scott Jnr. and Wilson. Architecturally, an innovative and successful design for its period and ideally suited to its location, also contributory to an important streetscape.
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Tooronga - Physical Description 1
Description
A corner tower, as the pivot for two gabled bays, set at right-angles to one another, is the main element of this and other (usually later) Geelong house designs of the mid-to-late 1890s and early 1900s. Examples such as 244 Malop Street and particularly the Haimes Memorial Homes, 1896 (102-110 McKillop Street) share this configuration. The architects, Toms & Duran, however, were responsible for the Haimes design.
Shown in the Building Engineering & Mining Journal of 1891, the house changed slightly in translation from drawing to building. Today's gabled verandahed bay on the south-west corner was drawn as a hipped-roof sexagonal verandahed pavilion, almost detached from the main building. There was also a single-storey gabled entrance pavilion facing into the crescent. Pertinent to the inspiration for some of the timber detailing was a female figure depicted in the foreground holding a Chinese parasol. A perspective of the vast entrance hall (under the lantern?) was equally impressive. Rich timber panelling, carved joinery and plaster detailing combined with the lofty (two-storey?) space to present an impressive interior. Materials noted included red Northcote bricks, a bluestone base and 'plinth bands' and white bricks at the windows with Waurn Ponds freestone heads. The cost was estimated at 3,500 pounds.
Whether built as drawn or not, the house is impressive externally and ideally suited to its corner site, given the corner tower (and lantern?). The 'tea-house' hip on the main roof and the gabled verandahed bays have a strong Far Eastern character, while the tower itself lends a French element to the already picturesque assembly.
External Integrity
Generally original, except for closing in of the lookout (assumed not a lantern) and replacement of the fence. The Edwardian character, square-top picket fence remnant may be original.
Streetscape
A major element in an important Victorian era residential streetscape (precinct 3.7).
Tooronga - Physical Description 2
Largely intact. Substantial 2 storey bi-chrome brick with string course moulded brick & basalt plinth, prominent octagonal tower to corner with 3rd level lookout (now enclosed). Hipped roof clad in in slate with terracotta ridge capping & finials, brick chimneys with projecting mouldings & terracotta pots. 2 storey verandahs to north & west sides with timber balustrades, also single storey section to west & gable entry porches to both sides. All verandahs have large turned timber posts, timber frieze & timber brackets & battened roughcast to gable ends. Tiled decks to ground level, basalt stair. Timber sash windows, most with multi-paned leadlight to upper part, original panelled door with leadlight to upper part & leadlight arched highlight & sidelights, arched leadlight window to stair.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Geelong - Geelong Region Historic Buildings and Objects Study Volume 2
Author: Allan Willingham
Year: 1986
Grading: AGreater Geelong - Geelong City Urban Conservation Study, Volumes 2-5
Author: Graeme Butler
Year: 1991
Grading: AGreater Geelong - Geelong City Urban Conservation Study Volume 1
Author: Graeme Butler
Year: 1993
Grading: AGreater Geelong - Geelong City Urban Conservation Study, Volume 4(a)
Author: Helen Lardner
Year: 1995
Grading: A
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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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