62 Abbotsford Street

62 Abbotsford Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
photographer: Stephen Hatcher, 2020

Also known as Ramage’s row house Source: Hatcher Index
Previous Address
Constructed (1st) 6/6/1864 (2nd) 2012
Style
Architect
Builder (1st) John Ramage, Melbourne (2nd) unknown

Timelapse Building Images

2020

Four level block consisting of 3 flats and 3 offices replaced the single story factory in 2012.

This site is a classic example of what all too frequently happens under the Planning Scheme of the Melbourne City Council. Small single fronted and even double fronted blocks that were intended for the provision of mixed working class and middle class housing in the mid to late Victorian period have been randomly consolidated into larger parcels onto which this form of over-development has occurred.

The overdevelopment of this site imposes a scale of development which is completely out of character with the existing surrounding period architectural style of Victorian single and double storey homes.

The Planning Scheme encourages Mixed Use developments. This in itself is not inconsistent with the Victorian settlement patterns but in its modern interpretation does encourage out of scale densities. However, this may apply as much to residential-only developments. The resulting building form lacks a positive balance and harmony with its surrounding neighbours.

Many potential residents who aspire to live in inner Melbourne would prefer to live in a discrete residential home with its own open space; an opportunity provided by sites such as the original 56 to 62  Abbotsford Street, especially with an imaginative and clever renovation/extension.

The major determinant of this intensification policy is the increase in land values. The developers need greater density to justify their profits. This direction is reinforced by decisions of the undemocratically elected City of Melbourne where residential votes are completely outweighed by the votes of companies and non-residential property owners. This gerrymander is supported by the State Government which is responsible for setting up the Council and the State also endorses greater densification.

It is clear that the current rules encourage greater density. Multi-story developments are facilitated. They are constructed boundary to boundary and provide minimal open space, apart from limited balconies. The tragedy of the situation is that the Melbourne Planning Scheme encourages further height increases when future developments are proposed to raise even further the residential density of the local area, using the height of these rogue buildings as a precedent for higher development.

If you are a concerned resident, get more involved and raise your voice in support when ever possible, help to strengthen local historical heritage laws, otherwise single and double storey cottages maybe doomed in the longer term, despite whatever protection may be given by the existing less than robust Heritage controls.

2009

Single story factory replaced 4 single story Victorian terrace homes in 1961.


Land Details

1895 MMBW map.

Building Details

A four level block consisting of 3 flats and 3 offices replaced the single story factory in 2012.

City of Melbourne

Three room cottage. (with rear open garden space)

Notice of Intent to Build.

6th June 1864, Registration number 290.
Fee paid: £1.10.0
Builder: Mr. John Ramage, Melbourne.
Owner: Mr John Ramage.

Burchett Index


Subsequent Building Alterations

John Ramage’s historic 1864 terrace cottage was sadly demolished around 1957 and has since been replaced with a block of flats.

http://maps.melbourne.vic.gov.au

This is the 1895 MMBW map. The valued front and back yard open garden space marked green which these Victorian era terrace homes once had has all since been lost and are now totally built over by the redevelopment.

http://maps.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Architectural Features



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Heritage Significance and Listings

Heritage Listings and Explanatory Notes

The group of modern flats recently erected on 56-58 Abbotsford street site which replaced the previous 4 homes that had unique social and historical value and constructed here in the Victorian period, the new build has zero historical or social heritage significance nor does it have any front or back open garden space unlike other existing Victorian terraces that the surrounding area have.

Owners

From To Owner More Info Data Source
1975 to date Private Hatcher Index
1974 1974 Hemax Nominees P/L Hatcher Index
1968 1973 Mario & Helena Schwartz Hatcher Index
1962 1967 Alfred Salamon & Mano Schwartz Hatcher Index
1958 1961 George Culpit Hatcher Index
1957 1957 Ivan Smith Hatcher Index
1921 1956 Frances Weston Hatcher Index
1912 1920 John Henry Nott or Dott Hatcher Index
1910 1911 Mary Remage or Ramage Hatcher Index
1866 1909 John Remage Hatcher Index
1865 J Forsyth (crown land purchaser) 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
1975 to date Private Hatcher Index
1963 1974 Butternick/Vogue P/L Hatcher Index
1957 1962 vacant land Hatcher Index
1956 1956 condemed house Hatcher Index
1933 1955 Charles Wood Hatcher Index
1929 1930 Mrs Annie Hayes Hatcher Index
1927 1928 Christina Hart Hatcher Index
1926 1926 Alexander Martin Hatcher Index
1921 1925 Francis Cusack Hatcher Index
1918 1920 Elizabeth McCarthy Hatcher Index
1915 1917 Sylvia McCarthy Hatcher Index
1910 1914 Mrs Mary McCarthy Hatcher Index
1909 1909 Frank Ruff Hatcher Index
1908 1908 Richard Trevorrow Hatcher Index
1902 1907 Henry W Gallagher Hatcher Index
1898 1898 Alexander McGregor Hatcher Index
1894 1897 Jane Muir Hatcher Index
1889 1893 Joseph Dickerson Hatcher Index
1886 1887 Mrs Young Hatcher Index
1884 1885 James Wood Hatcher Index
1883 1883 Jno Chambers Hatcher Index
1880 1882 John Orr Hatcher Index
1879 1879 Alex McLaughlin Hatcher Index
1876 1876 Daniel Seymore Hatcher Index
1874 1875 William Brown Hatcher Index
1873 1873 Heron Hatcher Index
1871 1872 William (1838-1888) and Sarah Anna (1846-1904) Benbow, nee Weir Hatcher Index
1868 1870 Mrs Magdalene Talbot Hatcher Index
1867 1867 John Ramage Hatcher Index
1866 1866 Robert Steele Hatcher Index

Social History

Magdalene Talbot lived at 62 Abbotsford Street West Melbourne in 1867.

Sands & Madougall directory



Context and Streetscape

Precinct
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

Zoning
This information must be verified with the relevant planning or heritage authority.

Streetscape

This streetscape contains a collection of historic Victorian buildings and later buildings. The Victorian homes are socially and historically significant buildings for the early development of North & West Melbourne in their own right.

Other Information

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