675 Centre Road
675 Centre Road BENTLEIGH EAST, GLEN EIRA CITY
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Statement of Significance
The former East Brighton (later East Bentleigh) Public Hall is situated at no. 675 Centre Road, East Bentleigh and was built in 1895-96 by L.R. Phillips, councillor at the nearby Caulfield Shire, to a design of the Melbourne architects Blackwell and Dalton. It is historically important. It is historically important (Criterion A) as the oldest surviving community owned public facility in the district, having served initially as a public hall with additions since demolished presumably accommodating a library. Its ownership and usage show that it functioned in a manner of a Mechanics Institute, this place being a focal point for social activities and public meetings from its inception until the post war era. In this respect it directly recalls a now distant time when East Bentleigh was a community made up primarily of market gardeners. As an early surviving nineteenth century public building in the area, it is unique (Criterion B). This importance is demonstrated by the surviving hall and porch, now encompassed by later additions and which in themselves demonstrate the growth of the district sustained during the early post war period when the building continued as a community facility in its intended role.
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675 Centre Road - Physical Description 1
The building consists of an early red brick hall, now defaced, with a Modeme addition at the front incorporating the original porch and providing foyer and present storage accommodation. There is a more recent canopy to this addition facing Centre Road and there are various rear post war additions. The original brickwork has been laid in English bond. The, original hall is distinguished by its gabled root: side brick walls with windows now bricked up but retaining the original doorways and cast iron wall and sub floor vents characteristic of the late Victorian period. The original facade parapeted gable end is visible above the entry roof and it is possible that the original roof structure to the earlier porch is in situ beneath. The Modeme styled additions are in clinker brick and have been altered by the addition of the recent canopy and removal of the flag pole. The facade has a generally symmetrical arrangement about a raised and stepped central section corresponding with the original porch. The left hand window has a horizontal concrete window hood in the style of the period. Inside, the roof Space to the early hall is concealed by a suspended ceiling. The original ceiling profile is visible above but now lined with Caneite whilst above this, there is evidence of the original varnished pine lining boards, understood to be substantially intact. The walls have been faced with roughcast, possibly in 1956. The stage has been extended on at least two occasions and the proscenium altered.
675 Centre Road - Physical Description 2
Condition: sound
675 Centre Road - Physical Description 3
Integrity: medium
675 Centre Road - Historical Australian Themes
Developing cultural institutions and Ways of Life
Heritage Study and Grading
Glen Eira - City of Glen Eira Heritage Management Plan
Author: Andrew Ward, Architectural Historian
Year: 1996
Grading:
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