131 Mangans Rd, Lilydale property destined for heritage protections

A historic Lilydale home with links to renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, is up for heritage protection, as the hills strengthen its links with the famed opera singer.

The property has been unoccupied since the passing of the current landowner and is managed by legal representatives. Picture: Yarra Ranges Council

A historic property on Melbourne’s eastern fringe with links to renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba is in line to get heritage protection.

Coldstream Hill, at 131 Mangans Rd, Lilydale, was built in the early 1900s and used as a holiday home for Melbourne’s elite.

In 1925, influential architect Marcus Martin was appointed by then owner Captain Cecil Martin Keppel Palmer and his family to renovate the home.

The home was renovated in the 1920s. Picture: Nash-Boothby Studios

The dining room, pictured in 1927, is still intact. Picture: Nash-Boothby Studios

Mr Martin designed the home in the Spanish Mission revival style, with the Cordova tiled hipped roof, gable top chimneys and rendered facades remaining on the building which was inspired by the Keppel Palmer family’s travels to the Americas.

Coldstream Hill’s interior remains substantially intact including the dining room with brick stairs, pressed metals ceilings, dark stained timber detailing and the arched brick fireplace.

The brick fireplace remains in the home. Picture: Supplied.

Coldstream Hill features metal pressed ceiling in several rooms. Picture: Supplied.

The home is only known example of Mr Martin’s work in the Yarra Ranges and is one of the few examples of his work in the Spanish Mission style.

The home was also associated with opera singer Dame Nellie who was the godmother of Keppel Palmer’s daughter Angela.

The home is associated with opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Picture: Supplied.

Retired local heritage architect Trevor Westmore, who nominated the property to the council for heritage protection, said Coldstream Hill was of significant “historical and architectural importance” for the Yarra Valley.

“It’s unique reverse layout, courtyard and unique cladding … makes it architecturally and technically important,” he said.

“A heritage overlay is vital for preservation and conservation of this property.”

Yarra Ranges councillor Tim Heenan said it was important to protect the area’s history.

“Every little piece we can hang on to from a historical and heritage point of view is important,” he said.

Dame Nellie Melba outside the front door of Coombe Cottage in 1916. Picture: Supplied.

Lilydale historian Sue Thompson said Dame Nellie supported Lilydale and the Yarra Ranges throughout her life.

“She spent her summers in the Yarra Valley after her father bought land there in the 1860s,” she said.

“The area always had an attraction to her … she always loved the blue hills.

“Wherever she travelled in the world she always spoke about Lilydale and promoted the area.”

Ms Thompson said Dame Nellie’s support of the area and her support of Victorian music students still has a huge impact on Australians decades after her death.

Dame Nellie Melba spoke about Lilydale wherever she travelled. Picture: Supplied.

If approved on the heritage register, Coldstream Hill would join other historic Yarra Ranges properties including Dame Nellie Melba’s Coldstream home Coombe Cottage which sits on the Coombe — The Melba Estate, the art deco style Burnham Beeches mansion and Olinda’s Miyako House.

Part of the Coombe estate, the original home of Dame Nellie Melba, was converted into a winery, cellar door and restaurant. Picture: Supplied.

The heritage overlay application is set to be put forward to the planning minister in February.

If approved by the minister the heritage overlay application would go through exhibition and submission stages.

It may also go to a planning panel before it is returned to Yarra Ranges Council for the overlay to be adopted.

After this stage it will be submitted to the planning minister once more before Coldstream Hill officially receives the heritage overlay.