Victoria’s great Victorians: locals’ love affair with the era on show as 19th century properties hit the market
It’s only fitting that the greatest concentration of Victorian architecture is in Victoria. And there are a slew of incredible period homes on the market right now.
It’s only fitting that the greatest concentration of Victorian architecture is in Victoria.
The non-architecturally savvy could be forgiven for thinking the design style was named after the southern state, but the elegant era is dedicated to the great Queen Victoria.
Although she reigned between 1837 and 1901, Australia’s finest examples of Victorian architecture are often concentrated towards the end of her monarchy when money was flowing from the local gold rush and subsequent building boom.
RELATED: What your home could be worth in 2028: Every Vic suburb
Overgrown jungle transformed into Federation masterpiece
Award-winning heritage home hides underwater games room
By the mid to late 19th century, Melbourne’s population had hit half a million — surpassing that of Sydney — and, according to some historical counts, it was briefly the richest city in the world and the second-most populous in the British Empire.
The ornate facades and grand proportions of Melbourne’s stately Victorian homes reflect the economic prosperity of the time.
Although many were lost to mid 20th century development, those that remain today are coveted by buyers with a taste for a bygone era.
Nicole Gleeson of Kay & Burton Stonnington said they have always had an enduring appeal.
“They’re simply timeless so they’re always a popular choice of architecture. They just never ever go out of fashion,” she said.
“Then you’ve got wonderful things about them like great ceiling heights which add to the grandeur.
“The bigger ones will have your grand front rooms and most have the ability to be renovated with modern rooms to the back and that’s what appeals to buyers today.
“You can have that mix of a beautiful period facade with a modern interior with all the bells and whistles. It really is the best of both worlds.”
PropTrack home values index: See how house prices changed in April
Inside Princess Margaret’s historic Riviera home
Ms Gleeson, who recently listed a stately freestanding Victorian terrace in Powlett St, East Melbourne with a price guide of $5.95-$6.545m said even the addresses of these regal residences tick boxes on buyers’ wish lists.
“The most popular suburbs in Melbourne are the areas that seem to offer these beautiful terrace homes and that’s probably another reason why they’re so appealing.”
While the Victorian era introduced plenty of worker’s cottages with detailed verandas and modest cast iron lacework, the real head turners are the Italianate and Gothic residences with ornamental brick facades, big verandas, ornamental parapets, intricate iron lacework and stained glass windows.
Right now there have been a number of stately Victorians listed on the market in Victoria.
Price guide: $5.95m-$6.545m
With all the grandeur of a Victorian terrace, Exeter has the added bonus of being a freestanding home a short walk from Fitzroy Gardens and the CBD.
Restored with meticulous attention to detail, the five-bedroom terrace features formal and informal spaces with oodles of Victorian charm throughout from the classic front veranda to the open fireplaces and ornate chandeliers.
In addition to the spacious main floor plan there is also a separate apartment with ensuite above the garage.
Price guide: $6.5m-$7m
The real estate rumour mill claims Cherry Farm is Glen Iris’ first residence.
The grand dame was built around 1860 and blends a unique combination of rare gothic revival Victorian architecture with a contemporary designer renovation.
Beyond the period facade complete with gargoyles and Scottish slate tiles there are 3.8m high ceilings, stained glass windows, original open fireplaces, a wine cave and library, plus plenty of modern additions.
Sitting on approximately 1273sq m, the picturesque property also includes manicured gardens and a backyard pool.
Price guide: $6m-$6.6m
If street appeal is everything then this Victorian in Fitzroy North has it in spades. With a unique and beautifully restored brick facade, the home is a rare example of the period. The six-bedroom residence on a large 1156sq m land parcel has a mix of old and new details with original fireplaces as well as modern inclusions and a spacious backyard.
The stables are currently being used as a gym and workshop plus there is a freestanding two-bedroom apartment out the back.
Price guide: $3.9m-$4.2m
A magical restoration of Melbourne’s iconic Victorian architecture, this Williamstown home has plenty of its original glamour featured inside and out.
The English-inspired gardens and elegant exterior, complete with intricate ironwork and a full-width tessellated tile veranda give way to a meticulous 21st century renovation.
Inside there are high ceilings, polished floorboards and marble fireplaces as well as an updated country kitchen and wine room.
The stately home sits on 1012sq m just down the road from the local Botanic Gardens, transport and several schools.
Price guide: $6.7m-$7.2m
Clifden is a prime example of Italianate Victorian elegance by the beach.
Perched on two titles measuring 1848sq m of parklike surrounds, the historic home sits across the road from stunning Fishermans Bay.
One of Mornington’s finest seaside estates, the palatial property is framed by towering Norfolk pines and still maintains many of its period details.
It has five bathrooms, multiple outdoor entertaining areas and a studio space above the double lock up garage.
Price guide: $2.3m
Standing tall on Moorhouse St in Richmond this grand Victorian sits on a cosy 231sq m block but still boasts four bedrooms and plenty of other perks.
Its heritage features are blended with modern updates such as a contemporary Miele kitchen with stone Italiana benchtops.
There are also a sunroom, a study off the main bedroom, an artist’s studio space, wine cellar and private courtyard with off-street parking..
Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.
MORE: Green shoots appear in Melbourne rental crisis
The shock true cost of owning a home
Don’t buy here: Victoria’s property ‘no go zones’
Originally published as Victoria’s great Victorians: locals’ love affair with the era on show as 19th century properties hit the market