Frognall, Melbourne
| Frognall | |
|---|---|
  Location within Melbourne | |
Interactive map of the Frognall area | |
General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Residential dwelling |
Architectural style | Victorian Italianate |
| Location | Canterbury, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°49′02″S 145°03′50″E / 37.8172°S 145.0638°E |
| Groundbreaking | 1889 |
Completed | 1891 |
| Client | Clarence Hicks |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | James Gall |
Official name | Frognall |
| Type | Registered place |
| Designated | 5 October 1988 |
| Reference no. | H0707 |
| HO099 | |
Categories |
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| References | |
| [1] | |
Frognall is a large boom-era mansion located at 54 Mont Albert Road in Canterbury, an inner east suburb of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia.[2]
The building was added to the Victorian Heritage Register on 5 October 1988 in recognition of its historic and architectural significance.[1]
History
Frognall was designed by the architect James Gall in 1888 in the Victorian Italianate style that was popular during the boom period of 1880s Melbourne. It was built between the years of 1889-91 for the prominent timber merchant Clarence Hicks, although he did not stay long as he was forced to sell during the financial collapse of 1893.[3]
In 1901 the building was purchased by the Laycock family who stayed there until 1942 when they offered the building to the Commonwealth Government to help with the war effort.[4] The house became part of the RAAF communications network during the war and was occupied by the RAAF for more than 40 years afterwards.
Architecture
Frognall is an example of the Italianate-style mansion which is commonly associated with the boom period of Melbourne architecture in the 1880s, although it is unusual in the extent of its ornamentation. It has a particularly rich level of cement render detailing, including arcaded and balustraded loggia. The grandeur of the building is enhanced by its pedimented entrance and deep bracketed eaves. The tower is capped at each side by projecting broken pediments.[5]
Frognall is typical of the wave of large mansions which were built in Melbourne's eastern suburbs during the 1880s (other examples include Raheen, Kew and Stonington mansion. However it is a rare example that has retained almost its entire original sub-division lot of 1859 and the core of the decorative garden that was created when the building was completed. It is also one of the rare boom period mansions which have retained their service wing, and stable and coach house block in original condition.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Frognall, Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0707, Heritage Overlay HO099". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- ↑ Allom, Lovell, Sanderson Pty. Ltd; Department of Defence (Australia) (1984), RAAF Frognall conservation management plan, Department of Housing and Construction. Victoria/Tasmania Region, retrieved 7 September 2017 – via Trove. National Library of Australia
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Frognall". Australian e-Heritage Portal. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ↑ ""Frognall" Retained by Air Force". The Age. No. 28, 572. Victoria, Australia. 20 November 1946. p. 18. Retrieved 7 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Frognall - Statement of Significance". National Trust Database. 3 August 1988. Retrieved 12 March 2017 – via Heritage Council of Victoria.