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MAIN ENTRANCE GATES (GATE 6), PILLARS AND FENCE
THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, 156 - 292 GRATTAN STREET PARKVILLE, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register
MAIN ENTRANCE GATES (GATE 6), PILLARS AND FENCE SOHE 2008
MAIN ENTRANCE GATES (GATE 6), PILLARS AND FENCE SOHE 2008
MAIN ENTRANCE GATES (GATE 6), PILLARS AND FENCE SOHE 2008
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University were completed in 1876 and represent the original approach to the main University buildings. The entrance was designed to enhance the setting of the University on the hill to the north of the city, with the land opposite the gates being left as open space to accentuate the approach. The main axes of the university were dictated by siting of the Old Quadrangle, and the Grattan Street entrance is located on the north-south axis. The entrance pillars are of interest for their Gothic-inspired design by Reed and Barnes, reflecting the major architectural style used for the university buildings during this period. The octagonal basalt pillars are decorated with quatrefoil motifs and capped by octagonal ogee domes with carved representations of shingles, and topped by a fleuron. The original decorative iron gates (which form part of this registration) are now located next to the Botany School. The fixing lugs for the gates are still visible in the pillars. The galvanised iron fence replaced the original 1850s wooden palisade between 1872 and 1880. 
How is it significant?
The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University are of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University are historically significant as evidence of the original main entrance to the university. Their construction, together with the associated gate lodge, marked a formal boundary between the town and university. 
The main entrance gates (Gate 6), pillars and fence to the Grattan Street entrance to Melbourne University are architecturally significant for their styling, consistent with the preferred Gothic Revival style of the main University buildings. The pillars were designed by architects Reed and Barnes. Reed was long time architect to the university and designed several significant buildings on the campus, including the old Wilson Hall, one of the finest Gothic Revival style buildings in Australia until destroyed by fire in 1952.
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    • History

      MAIN ENTRANCE GATES (GATE 6), PILLARS AND FENCE - History

      History of Place:

      Permit Exemptions

      MAIN ENTRANCE GATES (GATE 6), PILLARS AND FENCE - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

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