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Robertson house
8 part Geelong Road, FOOTSCRAY VIC 3011 - Property No 2037000600

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Maribyrnong City
HO188 (1) - Robertson House, 8 Geelong Road, Footscray.JPG
HO188 (1) - Robertson House, 8 Geelong Road, Footscray.JPG
HO188 (1) - Robertson House, 8 Geelong Road, Footscray.JPG
HO188 (2) - Robertson House, 8 Geelong Road, Footscray.JPG
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Statement of Significance

The Robertson house is significant to the City of Maribyrnong because:
- the house is, architecturally, an adept and one of the best executed designs in the Queen Anne villa manner judged within the City (Criterion F1);
- of its historical association with one of Footscray's more famous commercial figures, John Robertson (Criterion H1);
- of its owner's association with the development of industrial relations in the City when Footscray led the State in obtaining uniformly more adequate working conditions (Criterion A4); and
- of its contributory role within a notable group of houses built by prominent persons, both within Footscray and the State during a number of key eras in the City's history (Criterion A3)

Footscray Conservation Study SOS

Architecturally, an adept design in the Queen Anne villa manner but more important, historically, because of its association with one of Footscray's more famous commercial figures, particularly in his industrial relations role when Footscray led the State in obtaining uniformly more adequate working conditions. Also it is set among other houses built by leaders in other fields, both within Footscray and the State.

Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) criteria

The Australian Heritage Commission criteria consist of a set of eight criteria which cover social, aesthetic, scientific, and historic values. Each criterion has sub-criteria written specifically for cultural or natural values. The relevant criteria are:

H.1 association with important person or group

A.4 demonstrates well the course and pattern of history, important historic events

A.3 richness and diversity of cultural features

F.1 design or technological achievement

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    • Physical Description 1

      Robertson house - Physical Description 1

      Robertson's red brick Federation Bungalow style house contrasts with the conservative but contemporary Italianate style of his partner, Hooper's house at 10 Geelong Road. Composed around the main hip roof, with gabled wings set at right-angles, the house is distinguished by an octagonal corner turret in the verandah on the north side, return timber verandah, and a large bay window to the front wing with an unusual embossed dado. Otherwise timber slatting, unglazed Marseilles pattern terra-cotta roof tiles, tall tapered brick chimneys, embossed wall cladding and half-timbered details provide typical period ornamentation.

      The house is similar to designs by, architects, HW & FB Tompkins (see example Ascot Vale Rd, Ascot Vale) who designed the Hooper store in Brunswick 1908.

      Physical Conditions

      Robertson house - Physical Conditions

      Good (partially disturbed, well preserved).

      Integrity

      Robertson house - Integrity

      Substantially intact/some intrusions. The verandah floor has been rebuilt, the fence replaced and adjoining tennis court built on (see 6 Geelong Rd.). An unrelated addition has been placed on the south side.

      Set among stylistically related houses built for Footscray's elite in this part of Geelong Road and linked historically, by its first owner, to the adjoining 10 Geelong Road.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Robertson house - Historical Australian Themes

      Thematic context
      Australian Principal Theme Building settlements, towns and cities
      PAHT Subtheme Making suburbs
      Local Theme(s) Employers' Housing

      Physical Description 3

      Robertson house - Physical Description 3

      Map (Melway) 42 C3
      Boundary description The title land and buildings with emphasis on fabric from or near the construction
      date and Robertson occupation.
      Heritage Significance City
      Creation date(s) 1901
      Local Government Area City of Maribyrnong
      Ownership Type

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Maribyrnong - Maribyrnong Heritage Review

      Author: Jill Barnard, Graeme Butler, Francine Gilfedder & Gary Vines
      Year: 2000
      Grading:

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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