Evolving Port

Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend change. Houses are changed or demolished and new forms of housing take their place. Port Houses records some of these changes.

16 July 2013

305 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne

August 2019

The property changed hands for $2.1m.

July 2013
On 13 July 2013, 305 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne was sold for $1.326 m. The Department of Human Services property was auctioned by Greg Hocking.
The Fishermens Bend estate is covered by a heritage overlay reflecting its significance to the history of housing in Victoria. The overlay is supported by guidelines for redevelopment particular to the estate.
It is hard to reconcile that these modest dwellings, built for people in dire need of housing in the 1930s, now sell for such huge sums.
305 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne


15 July 2013

'Faux heritage versus contemporary' or something in between?

The Age (8 July) article  'Faux heritage versus contemporary home design' gave several photographic examples of each. Is the argument really as polarised as that?

The purpose of heritage policy is 'To conserve and enhance heritage places of natural or cultural significance'. Planners use a range of decision guidelines to assess applications but the guideline of greatest interest to observers of Port Melbourne's streetscapes is likely to be 'Whether the location, bulk, form and appearance of the proposed building is in keeping with the character and appearance of adjacent buildings and the heritage place.'

The planning scheme map of Port Melbourne shows the areas covered by a heritage overlay. In a heritage overlay area, a planning permit is required for most changes. In Port, there are many examples of additions to heritage places and new houses that have replaced heritage buildings. Some of the additions pre-date the current policy or pre-date guidelines or studies for particular areas such as Garden City and planning amendment C89 which implemented the recent review of Port Melbourne's heritage overlay.

As with all planning matters, there is vigorous contention. Some people  prefer additions to look pretty much the same as the original house, whereas others favour contemporary additions. The intention of contemporary additions, supported by the Burra Charter, is to leave an observer, now or in the future, in no doubt as to which is the original fabric and which is the new.

Here are some examples I find pleasing. This Heath St house demonstrates to me that 'many architects and designers understand that good "contemporary design" can take many forms, and one form is to design buildings that are polite to their neighbours. And to be "polite" does not necessitate the crass imitation of past styles.' (Michael Jorgensen, letter to The Age July 10, 2013)


a replacement building that is polite and respectful of its neighbours
Heath St, Port Melbourne


cnr Graham and Dow St, Port Melbourne


Any addition to this house, being on a corner, would be highly visible. The house may be double fronted but the site is small. This addition is set into the roof space to reduce its prominence. The dark colour is recessive. As you can see, the addition is not visible from Graham Street, so the objective of retaining the significance of the heritage place is fulfilled.

Knowing that people have different views about planning and particularly on this matter, this is an invitation for you to nominate your best and worst examples in Port Melbourne.

05 July 2013

205 & 207 Esplanade West, Port Melbourne

2 February 2016
2 02 2016
7 October 2014
Clearing the site
The plaster oozed like cream in a layered cake. Gone now.
The houses are/were at that interesting junction between Dow St and Esplanade West, Port Melbourne that lead to endless confusion for taxi drivers.
5 July 2013
The planning permit phase
The property at 205 Esplanade West begins its journey to a new incarnation with the appearance of the planning notice on the fence. The proposal is for three, three storey townhouses with roof terraces.
Planning application 454/2013 was lodged on 29 May 2013. You can track the application on Port Phillip's application register.
205 & 207 Esplanade West

November 2012
Changing hands

The property sold for $1,600,000 (source Sold Price)

04 July 2013

35 Albert Street – a neglected gem now ripe for renovation

A neglected gem now ripe for renovation

35 Albert St, April 2013

After decades of neglect which didn’t bode well for a double-fronted Victorian house at 35 Albert Street, approval was sought to demolish the building and replace it with three two-storey townhouses. The City of Port Phillip and Albert Street residents combined to affect a change of heart. The application changed to a proposed restoration and extension to this now heritage-listed building, and a reduced scope of works which now includes just one adjoining townhouse.

VCAT issued a permit on 21 June 2013 which requires the retention of the double-fronted dwelling which will contribute greatly to the heritage rejuvenation in this section of Albert Street. 
contributed by Greg Hansen