Carmelea
43 Station Street NORTHCOTE, Darebin City
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Statement of Significance
Carmelea is oflocal architectural and historical significance. The building was the first major place of residence of prominent and successful businessman and philanthropist MacPherson Robertson, who established Australia's largest confectionery company. The house originally occupied expansive grounds which included a house for his daughter, No 31 Station Street.
The exterior is substantially intact, whose mixed character reflects the considerable 1913 alterations and additions made to the original 1893 fabric. Internally, original Victorian and later Edwardian interior fabric is evident in many areas, contributing to the building's significance.
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Carmelea - Physical Description 1
Carmalea is a two-storey red brick house with a hipped slated roof. The house was constructed in 1893 and extensively altered in 1913. The tall red brick chimneys with moulded brick caps and barrelled tops date from the 1893 period, while much of the Station Street elevation, which includes a two-storey arcaded loggia, was constructed c1913. The slated window hoods and leadlighted rectangular bay windows were also added in 1913, replacing the 1893 bay window which originally faced Station Street.
Later alterations include the enclosing of the arcade at first floor level, formerly a sleep-out porch, a new fence erected, extensive additions made to the north and minor roof plumbing alterations carried out. The joinery has been painted in traditional colours.
The timber stables have been demolished and the grounds have been drastically reduced. No mature planting survives except outside the present property.
Internally, the front rooms appear to have been refurbished in the early twentieth century, presumably contemporary with the exterior alterations, and feature pressed metal ceilings patterned with plant motifs, leadlight windows and fretted trusswork across the window bay. Timber mantles also remain from this period. Further to the east, the Victorian section is marked internally by the arches in the corridors, a staircase and a coloured glass window to the stair hall. Jacobean style decoration also survives to the large main room which occupies the whole south face of the original building. Here ceilings are coved with diaper-patterns, matching the character of the two mantles and remnant furnishings from the Robertson household The interior was until recently substantially intact, with some superficial alterations to wall finishes and colours. Recent renovation and adaptation, to the design of Bates Smart & McCutcheon (1991), have diminished but not eliminated the original fabric.
Heritage Study and Grading
Darebin - Darebin Heritage Review
Author: Andrew Ward
Year: 2000
Grading:
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CHANDLER HIGHWAY BRIDGEVictorian Heritage Register H2354
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FAIRFIELD HOSPITAL (FORMER)Victorian Heritage Register H1878
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FAIRFIELD PARK AMPHITHEATRE COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H2412
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