Grimwade House, fmr Harleston stables, outbuilding, garden, gate and Picconia excelsa tree
220 Orrong Road, CAULFIELD NORTH, Glen Eira City
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Statement of Significance
It is historically significant (Criterion A) as the former home of prominent business man, speculator and benefactor, Sir Frederick Grimwade. Both Grimwade and his house are exemplars of the commercial enterprise of the Boom period and the amassing of personal fortunes with which it is associated. It is aesthetically significant (Criterion E) as an imposing yet stately large house of its time, the classic Italian form with comer verandah terminated by projecting wings being most distinctively seen in this instance. It is enhanced not only by the garden setting but also by the delicate cast iron verandah spandrels, stained glass work and stencilled ceiling in the music room. It is socially significant (Criterion G) on account of the value placed on it by the community associated with the Melbourne Grammar Junior School since its inception on this site in 1911.
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Grimwade House, fmr Harleston stables, outbuilding, garden, gate and Picconia excelsa tree - Physical Description 1
A substantial and largely intact mid-late Victorian villa with grounds and post 1918 additions undertaken by Melbourne Grammar School. Elements relating to the period of occupation by the Grimwade family include:
1. The Main House, a two storeyed stuccoed Italianate villa with earlier verandahprotected central section and flanking bayed pavilions having rich stuccoed ornamentation, massing and interior treatments characteristic of' the late Victorian Boom period. The principal facades are raised on a grassed podium in the manner of the period and the lower level cast iron work (1875) is distinguished by solid cast iron spandrels and finely cast "rineau" frieze. Bayed windows are reflected in the verandah to the facade which is also bayed, overlooking the former south lawns. Inside, early surviving finishes include embossed "leather" dados (overpainted), ornamental plaster ceilings, pedimented architraves with heraldic shields (mostly overpainted) and extensive stained -glasswork including a coat of arms over the front door and figure of "Pomona", the Roman goddess of fruit, illuminating the substantially intact staircase.
The interior rooms of the pavilions retain their polished timber architraves and "leather" dados with coffered ceilings to the former billiard and music rooms, the latter retaining its stencilled decoration: A coffered barrel vault is a distinguishing feature at the rear entry to the main lobby.
2. Stables, consisting of a two storeyed main building of utilitarian character with loft over in brick and having a slated gable roof. A hay loft door with pulley beam and king post motif to the gable above is a distinguishing element characteristic of this type of building. An attached room has a distinguished lantern treatment with varnished pine ceiling and timber roof trusses. Elsewhere, the interior spaces have been altered although the stable hand's room remains at the north end.
3. Wash House, recently demolished.
4. Garden, retaining principle parts of the original layout including the circular driveway (rebuilt) and some plantings (Norfolk Island Pine, Oak).
5. Ornamental Cast Iron Gates, in the Gothic style with flanking pedestrian gates and having cusped details and finials to the four main pillars with ''Harleston'' to the driveway pillars. Stone bollards mark the former carriageway. Remnants of early (?) timber pillars are associated with the gates and mark the commencement of later boundary picket fences.
Grimwade House, fmr Harleston stables, outbuilding, garden, gate and Picconia excelsa tree - Physical Description 2
Integrity:
1. Main House: High, interior overpainting, substantial classroom additions at east end.
2. Stables: Medium, substantial internal alterations, original points of entry for horses bricked up.
3. Garden: Medium4. Gates: High
Grimwade House, fmr Harleston stables, outbuilding, garden, gate and Picconia excelsa tree - Physical Description 3
Condition: sound
Grimwade House, fmr Harleston stables, outbuilding, garden, gate and Picconia excelsa tree - Historical Australian Themes
Caulfield as a location for Melbourne's gentry
Heritage Study and Grading
Glen Eira - Caulfield Conservation Study
Author: Andrew Ward, Architectural Historian
Year: 1994
Grading:
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GLENFERNVictorian Heritage Register H0136
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LABASSAVictorian Heritage Register H0135
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TRAM VERANDAH SHELTERVictorian Heritage Register H0174
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