Historic property earmarked for hotel development 

Plans to incorporate what is possibly North Melbourne’s oldest surviving house into a $10 million hotel development were given the tick of approval by the City of Melbourne last year.

The timber house at 48-50 Villiers St was built in 1854. According to the Hotham History Project (HHP), North Melbourne’s first two houses – neither of which are still standing – were built in 1852. 

The City North Heritage Review noted that the house is considered a rare example of an early timber residence with original multi-paned windows and has potential to provide information about the early history of Melbourne. It is protected by a heritage overlay.

The status of the heritage listed house was raised in an objection to the plans submitted online, which read: “48-50 Villiers St North Melbourne is more than likely the oldest surviving building in North Melbourne. It was built during the 1850s – that’s the Goldrush era. There is still evidence of its past use as a dairy in the backyard area – Melbourne red clay brick paving. Interestingly, there is also the original bluestone paving in the backyard further supporting the property’s past as a cottage industry.”

North West City News is aware of one house in North Melbourne that was built the same year as the Villiers St house, but none that were erected earlier.

In 2016, a planning permit was issued by the City of Melbourne for a $4 million nine-storey building to be constructed on the property behind the timber house. 

The developer applied to amend the permit, adding eight metres in height and an estimated $6 million in costs. A new permit was issued by the council in June 2020.

The development will involve refurbishment and conservation works on the old timber house, which will then be used as restaurant, bar and lobby space for the hotel. 

“It is our view the proposed entranceway achieves an appropriate balance between providing a defined access point for the building and providing a respectful and visually recessive outcome to the existing heritage building,” Urbis’s planning application read.

“The expression of the building has been thoroughly considered by the design team to provide a simple yet sophisticated backdrop to the existing heritage building on site.”

“The material utilised comprises a metal facade and frame with glazed windows and solid concrete behind. The metal frame is operable to allow guests to adjust the frame to suit their requirements and provide shade and privacy throughout the day. This is not only an important factor given the site’s western orientation, but this will also result in an interactive façade that varies in appearance depending on how many of the operable blades are open or closed at any time.”

A number of outbuildings on the property, of similar age as the house, will be demolished to make space for the 81-room hotel •