53-63 Bridge St, Port Melbourne

also known as Catherine Terrace

August 2020

53 - 63 Bridge St, Port Melbourne

Find out more about the history of Catherine Terrace in this article by Ray Jelley from the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society.

January 2018

Extensive renovations are underway.

53-63 Bridge St, Port Melbourne, January 2018

May 2017

Wallpaper is revealed as the rear of the building is removed.

29 January 2017

Revealing the roof

53-63 Bridge St - January 2017

10 April 2016

The planning permit phase 

53-63 Bridge St - April 2016

Planning Application No 179/2016 has been lodged for partial demolition and construction of alterations and additions of ground and first floor additions to the rear of the existing four single storey dwellings.

Source: City of Port Phillip planning permit register

11 May 2015

The houses sold on 9 May for $3,690,000.

9 April 2015

These three houses had not been offered for sale since 1959.

The houses were sold to Robert and Ella Atkinson by James George McCormack and William Thomas McCormack - associated with the nearby Cricketers Arms Hotel.

On 25 August 1967, the Housing Commission wrote to Mr Atkinson advising that under Section 56 of the Housing Act, the premises at 53, 55, 57, 59 and 63 Bridge St 'did not comply in certain respects to the Housing (Standards of Habitation) Regulations.'

He was instructed to bring the housing up to the Housing Commission's acceptable standards.

By 1971 Mr Atkinson  had made sufficient improvements for the Housing Commission to write again saying that ‘in view of the overall improvement in these properties, commission interest could now cease.'

Source: PROV VPRS 1824/P/0000 - 000042

73 Heath St, Port Melbourne

August 2020

The original weatherboard cottage at 73 Heath Street was probably one of Port’s oldest homes, its slate hipped roof echoing Georgian influences rarely found in Victoria. Since it was in worse condition than imagined, reconstruction as a replica was the chosen solution. This included accurate positioning of windows, verandah and the rebuilt chimney. There’s a basement, and a two storey addition at the rear which provides a contrasting backdrop to the cottage. The owners were keen to retain the old house’s contribution to the streetscape, albeit in a new structure meeting modern building standards.

The chimney was rebuilt using recycled bricks from Paddy's Bricks in Kensington. 

73 Heath St, Port Melbourne

February 2019

The house at 73 Heath St has been demolished. Gone for now - but not for long as it will be re-constructed.

It was found that the hipped-roof front section was in such poor structural condition it could not be brought up to modern standards to meet building regulations and energy requirements.  Port Phillip Council building surveyors supported the demolition.

The cottage, with its slate roof and chimney will be reinstated, along with its double-hung windows. A more street sympathetic fence will enable a two way interaction between the house and the street.

73 Heath St, Port Melbourne