
Also known as | Hemingford Flats, 18-20 Miller Street | |
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Previous Address | The Benevolent Asylum site | Source: https://www.hothamhistory.org.au/product/the-melbourne-benevolent-asylum-hothams-premier-building/ |
Constructed | ||
Style | Inter-War Period : 1915 – 1940 | |
Architect | ||
Builder |
Timelapse Building Images

photographer, Graeme Butler
Building Details
It is though the flats were built in 1938.
Subsequent Building Alterations
The original exposed brickwork was painted over sometime in the 1970’s.
Removal of the paint on brickwork would be an major improvement, if that were to occur sometime in the future.
Architectural Features
Heritage Significance and Listings
Heritage Listings and Explanatory Notes |
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A very modern looking style of building at the time, inspired by a German movement known as Bauhaus, representing functional and clinical architecture. Red or cream brick walls and concrete was also first seen. Steel-framed casement sashes, with larger panes of glass. The Streamline Moderne style was a late branch of the Art Deco style. The style emphasized long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements, such as railings and porthole windows. This style was adopted into suburban architecture, most notably in the Waterfall style. |
Owners
From | To | Owner | More Info | Data Source |
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1975 | to date | Private | Hatcher Index | |
1939 | 1974 | Francis, Charles & Grace Donovan | Hatcher Index | |
1915 | 1937 | William Plasto (vacant land) | Hatcher Index | |
1849 | 1911 | Melbourne Benevolent Asylum Trust | http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4774556 | Hatcher Index |
abt 40 thousand years earlier | 1835 | Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Victoria | Hatcher Index |
Residents
From | To | Resident | More Info | Data Source |
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1975 | to date | Private | Hatcher Index | |
1940 | 1974 | various names | Hatcher Index |
Social History
November 1939 Flats at this address first became available.
The flats were owned by siblings Charles, Francis & Grace Donovan nee Gilfedder.
Charles was born in Hotham in 1892 and went on to become a Bank Manager. Francis was born in Hotham in 1893 and went on to become a Doctor. Grace was born in Hotham in 1888 and married Edward Gilfedder in 1925. They were all children of William & Annie Elizabeth Donovan nee Hamilton.
The Donovan family grew up at 16 Wood Street North Melbourne (previously called Hotham) the three siblings owned Hemingford flats at 18-20 Miller Street West Melbourne from 1939 according to council rate records.
The Herald

Context and Streetscape
Precinct |
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The current property resides within the municipality of the City of Melbourne. We respectfully acknowledge it is on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation.
source: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/history-city-of-melbourne.pdf
historical map source: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/search-discover/explore-collections-format/maps/maps-melbourne-city-suburbs
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Zoning |
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The controls listed below affect this property: |
Streetscape |
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This streetscape contains a collection of predominantly historic Victorian and Federation buildings. The homes are socially and historically significant buildings for the early development of North & West Melbourne in their own right. |
Other Information
Copyright status: This work is in copyright.
Conditions of use: Use of this work allowed provided the creators name and Hotham History Project Inc are acknowledged.
If you or someone you know has any more to add either by old photos or stories of this area, please contact us today. Email info@hothamhistory.org.au