Police Station and residence
43 James St NORTHCOTE, Darebin City
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Statement of Significance
The Northcote Police Station is of local architectural and historical importance. The station possesses local landmark qualities owing to its prominent hilltop setting. The building is a distinctive example of the Queen Anne style within the municipality, and although the verandah and balconette have been removed, the building is otherwise externally substantially intact. Together with the Presbyterian Church across the road (qv) the building contributes to the heritage character of the local streetscape. Construction of the police station in 1891 is associated with the period of suburban expansion of the municipality, and has served the local community as a public building over a long period of time.
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Police Station and residence - Physical Description 1
The police station is a red brick Queen Anne style building, influenced by the contemporary domestic architecture of English architect Richard Normal Shaw. The Sergeant's residence was entered through the door on the south elevation, whilst the office and constables quarters were entered from the eastern side, through an arched porch. The east and south elevations were thus designed as the major facades of the building.
The south elevation is asymmetrically arranged, with a prominent half-timbered gable and slated roofs. The double-hung sash windows have sixteen-paned top sashes with coloured glazing and segmented arched heads with brick voussoirs and keystones. The original two-storey verandah, since demolished, was supported by coupled turned timber posts on brick piers and had vertical timber balusters. A balconette at first floor level on the projecting bay has also been demolished.
The east elevation is also asymmetrically composed, having a three-storey stair tower, tall red brick chimney stacks with corbelled and moulded brick caps and large overhanging gable with half timbering. The large arched entrance at ground floor level has moulded brick voussoirs. At roof level was an observation platform, frequently used by both the police and Government; in particular during the investigations by a Parliamentary Committee on the railways question in c1894.
A similar, but more intact, police station exists at Kilmore.
Heritage Study and Grading
Darebin - Darebin Heritage Review
Author: Andrew Ward
Year: 2000
Grading:
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FORMER LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR HOME FOR THE AGEDVictorian Heritage Register H1950
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TERRACE HOUSESVictorian Heritage Register H1774
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FORMER NORTHCOTE THEATREVictorian Heritage Register H2287
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