Warrandyte Township Heritage Area Prec
Yarra Street, Brackenbury Street WARRANDYTE, Manningham City
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Warrandyte township precinct comprises residential, civic and commercial buildings, as well as parkland and open space in Yarra Street (and parts of intersecting streets) generally between Trezise Street and Mullens Road and part of Brackenbury Streetthat illustrate three key phases in the historic development of the township; the establishment and early development following the gold rush of the mid nineteenth century, the rise of the town as a tourist resort and artists retreat during the Inter-war years, and the re-building that occurred in the wake of the disastrous 1939 bushfires.
How is it Significant?
The Warrandyte Township precinct is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to Manningham City.
Why is it Significant?
The Warrandyte Township precinct has historic and social significance as it provides evidence of one of the first townships to be established in the study area and illustrates the influence of gold discovery upon settlement in the nineteenth century. Gold continued to be a major local industry into the early twentieth century. The township is also an example of one of the first tourist resorts close to Melbourne that emerged in the inter-war years as a result of improved roads and increased motor car usage. It also has important associations with many notable Australian artists and architects, which is demonstrated by it being a subject of a number of paintings and other works. Finally, the town also provides evidence of the re-building that occurred in the wake of the disastrous 1939 bushfires. This is particularly demonstrated by the Warrandyte Style Residential precinct, which is historically significant for its associations with locally important female architect/builders Alexa Goyder and Myrtle Houston. It as a representative area of housing demonstrating the characteristics of the 'Warrandyte Style' first identified by Robin Boyd in Australia's Home in 1952, a style that was copied elsewhere in the township. (RNE criteria A.4, D.2, G.1 and H.1)
The Warrandyte Township precinct has aesthetic significance as an informal almost semi-rural village where the buildings are often secondary to the landscape elements, particularly the mature vegetation, which comprises a mix of native and exotic species that creates a distinctive cultural landscape character. It is notable for the use of local materials such as Warrandyte stone in a number of buildings and public realm elements, which gave rise to the description of a 'Warrandyte Style' that is a notable and distinctive element of the character of the area today. This is particularly evident in the Warrandyte Style residential precinct at the east end of Yarra Street and in Brackenbury Street, which contains the best examples of the style by Goyder and Houston. (RNE criterion E.1)
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Warrandyte Township Heritage Area Prec - Physical Description 1
INTRODUCTION
Warrandyte Township precinct comprises the properties on either side of Yarra Street extending from Tresize Street in the west to Russell Road in the east (including parts of adjoining side streets), as well as Brackenbury Street between Mitchell Avenue & Mullens Road. At its core are commercial and civic buildings, which define the Warrandyte town centre and form the historic centre of the precinct. This is surrounded by residential areas at either end, and areas of informal parkland and open space between Yarra Street and the Yarra River. The overall character of the precinct is of an informal almost semi-rural village where the buildings are often secondary to the landscape elements, particularly the mature vegetation, which comprises a mix of native and exotic species that creates a distinctive cultural landscape character.
The buildings within the precinct that illustrate the key phases in the historic development of the Warrandyte township can be broadly grouped as follows:
CIVIC & COMMERCIAL GROUP
This group of buildings are generally situated between Whipstick Gully Road and Mitchell Street and is defined by two landmark buildings; At the western end, the two storey Grand Hotel, which dates from the Federation era, while the eastern end is terminated by the Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute. This forms the historic core of the centre and, along with the related group further to the east, best demonstrates the beginnings of the township during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
In between these buildings on the south side is a row of single storey shops of various dates, which includes an early twentieth century shops at Nos. 152-56 and 158. Although very altered, these retain some early elements including parapet detailing.
Development on the north side of Yarra Street is more intermittent. Notable buildings include the former Gospel Chapel at No. 103, the former Warrandyte Post Office at No. 111-17, and the group of three gabled, weatherboard shops at Nos. 183-197. There is another weatherboard shop at No. 207. There is a curious concrete ruin just to the east of this shop. These buildings are interspersed with areas of open space that allow views to the Yarra River, The trees are a mixture of native and exotics, which include Elm and Cherry trees. A local landmark is the 'Diary Tree', an old Monterey Cypress situated in a car park, which is in very poor condition.
Other elements, which contribute to the character of this commercial and civic group include kerb and channelling, and retaining walls fashioned out of Warrandyte stone, and a bluestone pitched drain on the Yarra leading through a car park to the River - this is situated almost directly opposite Mitchell Avenue. Toward the east end adjacent to the Yarra River is the ruins of the Warrandyte Dairy.
WARRANDYTE WAR MEMORIAL GROUP
A second node of buildings is situated around the intersection leading to the Yarra River bridge, which date from the late nineteenth century until the post-war period. On the south side of the bridge is the Warrandyte War Memorial, constructed of Warrandyte stone with stone pathways and terraces. To the east of the memorial is an intact Inter-war house, now used as a shop, which is adjacent to the former Warrandyte Wine Hall. The Wine Hall is a two story Victorian weatherboard building, built close to the street and is a local landmark. It is now used as a shop and residence. Opposite the Wine Hall is a postwar amenities block of unusual design. The angled walls are constructed of Warrandyte Stone on a lava rock base and there is a floating roof above. On the street side is a bus shelter, while toilets are located on the opposite side.
WARRANDYTE STYLE RESIDENTIAL
This part of the precinct comprises eastern end of Yarra Street and that part of Brackenbury Street between Mitchell Avenue and Mullens Road in Warrandyte, which is a narrow, serpentine road that winds around the side of the hill at the rear of the Warrandyte town centre. The steepness of the hill means the houses on the west side are mostly set down low beneath the road, while the houses to the east are elevated. The topography, together with the dense bushland and gardens means that many houses are partly or fully concealed from the road.
This part of the precinct includes the greatest number of houses in the 'Warrandyte Style', which were designed or built by Alexa Goyder and Myrtle Houston. The style refers to the use of random-rubble or earth construction sub-floor and chimneys, with the use of the lapped vertical timbers for first floors. The 'Warrandyte Style' houses include those designed by Goyder or Houston at 300-02 (Goyder's own house), and 314 and 318 Yarra Street.
The other houses in this part of the precinct are mixed in style, but are often simple rectangular plans, without architectural pretension, set in bushland. Some, while not pure examples of the 'Warrandyte Style' exhibit influences of it in the use of the materials, and in form and layout - these include 119, 130, 139, 151, & 152 Brackenbury Street and 306 Yarra Street.
YARRA STREET (WEST) RESIDENTIAL
The houses throughout this part of the precinct (generally to the west of the commercial area) are mixed in terms of their style and materials, however, most are detached and predominantly single storey and are set within gardens with mature trees. Of most interest are the inter-war era dwellings that illustrate the re-building of Warrandyte in the wake of the 1939 bushfires. A number of these dwellings exhibit elements the Warrandyte Style', which includes the use of local stone for chimneys and feature walls. Many of the other inter-war houses utilise light-weight materials such as fibro-cement that demonstrates the shortage of materials at the time of rebuilding during and after WWII. Such materials were also fire-resistant, which no doubt added to their appeal. Good examples of these houses are found at Nos. 48, 56, 64, 70, 76, 96 & 98 Yarra Street. A small number of interwar houses are constructed in brick including the former police station at No. 65, and at 71 & 212 Yarra Street.
CONTRIBUTORY ELEMENTS
Brackenbury Street
(odd) 119, 139 & 151*
(even) 130 & 152
Mitchell Avenue
Warrandyte Fire Station (former)*
Stiggant Street
9
Tresize Street
9*
Yarra Street
(odd) 45-55, 65*, 71*, 77* (Oak trees), 95, 103*, 111-17* (former Post Office), 183-87*, 189*, 193-97*, 207
(even) 18*, 32, 36-8*, 44, 48, 56, 64*, 70*, 76, 78, 96, 98, 112* (Grand Hotel), 152-56, 158 (former butcher), 180-86* (Mechanics' Institute), 204, 212, 220-30, 232-34* (former Wine Hall), 286, 300-04*, 306, 308, 314, 318*, 322* Warrandyte War Memorial*, Diary Tree*, Elm trees, Cherry trees, stone retaining walls and kerb & channel, bluestone pitched drain (opposite Mitchell Avenue), Warrandyte Dairy ruins*, South Caledonia Mine ruins*
The places marked with an asterisk (*) have an individual citation in this Study, which provides additional information.
Warrandyte Township Heritage Area Prec - Integrity
Integrity - Not known
Warrandyte Township Heritage Area Prec - Physical Description 2
Threats - None apparent
Warrandyte Township Heritage Area Prec - Physical Description 3
Key Elements
Buildings
Landform
Landscape
Tree(s)
Warrandyte Township Heritage Area Prec - Historical Australian Themes
Local Themes
2.01 - Towns and settlements
Heritage Study and Grading
Manningham - Manningham Heritage Study Review
Author: Context Pty Ltd
Year: 2006
Grading: Local
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FORMER WARRANDYTE WINE HALLVictorian Heritage Register H1150
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WARRANDYTE MINER'S COTTAGEVictorian Heritage Inventory
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VICTORY GOLD MINEVictorian Heritage Inventory
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