Sub-division into 129 lots of land belonging to the Scotland Family, bounded by William Street, Eliza Street, James (Jessop) Street and south of Lorimer Street. Auction 1 September 1923Digital copy of plan. Has been digitally corrected from damaged original.subdivision plans, greensborough township estate, scotland family

Collection of copies of documents and plans relating to land owned by the Black Family in Greensborough and Watsonia, and its sale by auction and subdivision to form the suburb of Watsonia following the building of Watsonia Railway Station in 1924History of the development of the suburb of WatsoniaLoose-leaf folder, pages in file protectorsblack family, watsonia

Sub-division into 129 lots of land belonging to the Scotland Family, bounded by William Street, Eliza Street, James (Jessop) Street and south of Lorimer Street. Auction 1 September 1923Photocopy, double-sidedsubdivision plans, greensborough township estate, scotland family

796.1 - Crown Land Sale by auction in the township of Mallacoota on Wednesday January 1920 at 2pm. 796.2 - Snowy River farms , 630 acres of river flat land at Orbost on Wednesday April 28, 1909 at 2.30pm. 796.3 - Famous Orbost Flats - "Important Sale of Snowy River Land" , 900 acres subdivided into 13 choice farms on Wednesday 1st December 1920 at 2.30pm. 796.4 - "Second Great Sale in James' Subdivision", adjoining town of Orbost on 16th May, 1919 at 2pm. 796.5 - "Subdivisional Sale Brooklands Estate", 5 rich Snowy River farms on Wednesday 23rd February at 2.30 at Orbost on account of James Hossack Esq. 796.6 - "Subdivisional sale of Splendid Residence Sites and Handy Small Paddocks" adjoining the progressive town of Orbost on 5th March 1915 at 11am at the rooms of H.James & Co. 796.7 - This is a contract drawing on waxed paper. Crossing near Harbecks Cunninghame Signed and traced N. Anderson 17/11/00. 796.8 - A plan and specification on waxed paper. Shire of Orbost Cunninghame Road - signed by the shire engineer. 796.9 - This is a hand drawn map of Orbost Cunninghame Road, November 1896. 796.10 - This is a hand drawn cross-section of a culvert on the Orbost Cunninghame Road. 796.11 - This is a plan of a culvert on Tabbara Road, 13th January 1899 796.12 - This is a poster for an "Important Subdivisional Sale' for land near Orbost Bridge, on Wednesday 16th March 1921 at the rooms of H. James & Co. These documents are an important part of Orbost history in that they show how the town and surrounding areas were subdivided for farming and residential settlement.A set of twelve maps, plans and land sale posters .orbost-land-1900s maps posters h.james

Single sided land auction sale advertisement for 38 residential allotments - Croydon Hill Estate (Second Section) Yarra Road, Croydon - corner Whitehorse Road. Auction Saturday, 5th December, and corresponding newspaper advertisement - Ringwood Mail, Thursday, November 26, 1959.Subdivision map includes Richardson Road, Yarra Road, Whitehorse Road, Alice Street, Hull Street (later Mulawa Stret). Auctioneers in Conjunction: J.B. Thomson & Co., Station Entrance, Box Hill, (Telephone) WX 1862, WX 7356, and at Nunawading, WU 1968, WU 3452, and C.E. Carter & Son, 126 Whitehorse Road, Ringwood. WU 6024.

Folded A3 double sided page advertising auction of 14 timbered allotments - 3/4 to 4 acres, on Saturday, 10th December, 1983, with terms of sale, location map, and summary of subdivision features.Subdivision includes Angus Avenue, Vasey Concourse and Ruthven Way, Ringwood East, and Cheong Street, Croydon, Victoria. A covenant has been placed on most titles specifying that only one dwelling house can be erected during the next ten years. Auctioneers in Conjunction - Stockdale & Leggo, 422 Collins Street, Melbourne, (Telephone) 67 6661, A.H. 20 2364, and C.E. Carter & Son, 122 Whitehorse Road, Ringwood, Victoria 3134, (Telephone) 870 6211, A.H. 876 4124.

Double sided leaflet with aerial view of part of Ringwood showing subdivision site, terms of sale, layout of streets and allotments, and summary of local features and services.Land auction, Saturday, 10th October (1970). 45 home sites. Subdivision includes Mullum Mullum Road, Hugh Street, Rollington Drive, Cassandra Court, and Jeffrey Drive. Surveyors - R.G. Lee Pty. Ltd., 6 Davis Street, Richmond. Agents - N.R. Reid & Co., 173 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley, (Telephone) 560 0355 A.H. 560 0361 and Safeway Centre, Boronia Road, Boronia, (Telephone) 762 1022 A.G. 795 2887, also at East Malvern and Mount Waverley.

Multi-fold brochure advertising public auction of one-acre, 2-acre, 5-acre and 8-acre allotments in Ringwood and Bayswater on Saturday 12th April, 1919. Brochure includes terms of sale, description of subdivision features and local facilities, and photographic images of the area.Subdivison includes Canterbury Road Heathmont, Armstrong Road Heathmont, Armstrong Road Bayswater, Bungalook Road Heathmont, Bungalook Road Bayswater, and Orchard Road Bayswater. Road shown as Bayswater Road to Bayswater became Mountain Highway Bayswater. Vendor: H.E.B.Armstrong, Auctioneers: Coghill & Haughton, 79 Swanston Street Melbourne, Telephone Central 2793, in conjunction with J.B. McAlpin, Ringwood, Opposite Station, Telephone Ringwood 7. (Map) Woodcock & McCormack, Civil Engineers Architects & Surveyors, 430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Phone 3241 Central. MOST OF THE MONEY COMES OUT OF THE LAND. And more money can be obtained from anb acre of fruit than from an acre of any other produce. But you do not have to grow fruit on Garden Farms Estate. You can go in for - Outer Suburban Home - Market Garden - Orchard - Pig Raising - Poultry Farm - Small Dairy Farm - Small Fruits - Floral Culture - Scent and Bee Farm - Or just for a Week-end Home. RINGWOOD - THE PLACE TO LIVE. The Beautiful Ringwood District has so many natural attractions, that half a Land Agent's work is done in just showing a prospective buyer round and about. Ringwood has a pull of its own that attracts folk, proved beyond doubt by its rapid development within the last decade (spite the war). First, it is high and healthy, picturesque and undulating, convenient of access, sufficiently close to the Metropolis for City and Business folk to live at Ringwood. Its development is solid, because most of its people are industrious husbandmen, real producers, who have turned idle hills into smiling gardens. These are the kind of real people to live amongst; ones who wear out their spades. The rapidly-developing town has excellent Stores, Trade and Repair Shops Churches, Banks, Telephone Exchange, Weekly General Market, Cool Stores, and good Private and State Schools, etc.; is Electrically lit, has Metropolitan Water Supply, and generally provides so that practically all shopping can be done locally. WHY RINGWOOD MUST GROW. Ringwood is a great centre and must be a greater. Two rapidly-developing railways junction here. The passengers from Ringwood Station cityward, in one year, number 250,000. Ringwood will be the terminus of the Outer Suburban Electric Eastern Railway. Its natural boundaries are the River Yarra on the North, Dandenong Creek on the South, the popular town of Croydon on the East, and the suburb of Mitcham on the West. This is a large territory that is steadily being converted from intense culture, and then it might be called (as regards its gardens) "The Devon Territory of Victoria." ARMSTRONG ROAD. This new road traverses Garden Farms Estate from its northern boundary on the main Canterbury Road, across Dandenong Creek, to its southern boundary on the main Bayswater Road, and will provide a long-desired additional link of communication between Bayswater and Ringwood. The 1-acre building sites on Bayswater Road are within 8 minutes' walk of the Bayswater Railway Station, and the Canterbury Road frontages are only 1-1/2 miles from Ringwood Station, and 1/2 mile from the Railway Station site of Canterbury Road; therefore, the whole Estate is easy of access and there should be a large demand for land so favourably placed. (Image) Cultivation Field - Potatoes on Lot 28 (Image) Picture of Bayswater Creek Flats. (Image) View from "Korumbeen" where Mr. Armstrong lived on Garden Farms Estate. Estate outlined in white ring. (Image) Site of New Bridge over Dandenong Creek. (Image) On one of the timbered lots adjoining railway. (Image) This Dandenong Creek traveres the Estate. (Image) Main Fern Tree Gully Line bisects the Estate.

Refer also to Reg. No. 5172 for Pine Lodge Land Auction 3rd release, 1978.Yellow double-sided real estate auction notice with green print showing aerial photograph and map of subdivision layout and summary of local features and services for Pine Lodge, Kalinda Road, Ringwood North. Auction date, Saturday, 4th June, 1977, at 2:30pm.Subdivision plan includes Parkgate Drive, Wood-Church Close, and Pensby Court. (Agent) N.R. Reid & Co. Pty. Ltd., Safeway Centre, Boronia Road, Boronia (Phone) 762 1022, 450 Little Collins Street, Melbourne (Phone) 67 1746, and 207 Stud Road, Wantirna South (Phone) 231 2277.

Refer also to Reg. No. 5171 for Pine Lodge Land Auction previous release, 1977.Green tri-fold advertisement for auction of home sites, with map of subdivision, photographs, and summary of local features and services for Pine Lodge, Kalinda Road, Ringwood North - 3rd release - Auction date, Saturday, 18th November, 1978, at 2:30pm.Subdivision plan includes Mundara Drive, Bidston Court, Parkgate Drive, Frodsham Road, and Bebington Close. (Agent) N.R. Reid & Co. Pty. Ltd., 10A Hewish Road, Croydon (Phone) 725 0999, 450 Little Collins Street, Melbourne (Phone) 67 1746, and 207 Stud Road, Wantirna South (Phone) 221 2222.

Land sale auction advertisement - Proclamation Estate, Ringwood, with map of subdivision and summary of local features and services. Auction date, Saturday, March 2, (1963?), at 2pm.Subdivision plan includes Maidstone Street, Stanhope Court, Wrights Court, and Watirna Road. (Agents) Blackburn & Lockwood in conjunction with C.E. Carter & Son, 126 Whitehorse Road, Ringwood (Phone) 87 6024.

Folded double-sided brochure advertising 86 residential lots for sale by Public Auction at 3pm, Saturday, November 24th, 1923, with town photographs, map of subdivision and summary of local features and services. Subdivision plan includes Whitehorse Road, Oliver Street, Georges Road, Junction Street, and six room weatherboard villa for sale. Local Agent - F.V. Parker, Ringwood.

Bi-folded single sheet with black and red print both sides advertising auction of allotments on Saturday, November 18, 1922, including details of subdivision features and local facilities. Subdivision includes Bedford Road, Williams Grove, Campbell Street, Myrtle Avenue, George Street, and Henry Street. Agents - F.H. Patterson & Co., 19 Queen Street, Melbourne, Tel. 4308 Central, J.B. McAlpin, Opposite Railway Station, Ringwood, Tel 7 Ringwood, SYDNEY T. Haynes & Co., Auctioneer, 60 Queen Street, Melbourne, Tel 3400 Central.

Folded single page advertising auction of allotments on Saturday, 10th November (1956), including layout of subdivision and terms of sale.Subdivision includes Railway Avenue, Nicholson Street, Althol Grove (later Morcom Avenue), Illoura Avenue, Tweed Street, Merry Street, and Dublin Road. (Agent) C.E. Carter & Son R.E.S.I., Auctioneer, 126 Whitehorse Road, Ringwood, Phone WU6024.

Advertisement for sale of 150 residential allotments with terms of sale, summary of local features and services, and map showing location and layout of subdivision within the boundary of Mitcham to the west of Ringwood, Victoria. Copy of newspaper advertisement (The Herald, Melbourne, Wednesday 3 March, 1920) refers to public auction date for Range View Estate Ringwood - Saturday, 27th March, 1920.Subdivision includes Deep Creek Road, Range View Grove, Warnes Road, Tarrangower Avenue, Prince Edward Avenue, James Avenue, and White Horse Road, Mitcham. Agents - Phillips & Nicholson, 281 Collins Street, Melbourne, Telephone Central 10907.

Advertisement for land and weatherboard villa auction sale on Saturday, January 13 (1923?) - Ringwood Heights Estate, corner Warrandyte and Wonga Roads, North Ringwood, with terms of sale, summary of local features and services, and map showing layout of subdivisionSubdivision includes Wonga Road and Anderson's Creek Road (later Warrandyte Road). Agents - Sydney T. Haynes & Co., Auctioneers, 60 Queen Street, Melbourne. Phone Central 3400; J.B. McAlpin, Estate Agent, Opposite Ringwood Station. Auction in the Trust Estate of J.J. Parker, instructed by the Equity Trustees Co. Ltd. 85 Queen Street, Melbourne.

Double-sided printed page advertising land auction on Saturday 27th March, 1976, with locality map and subdivision layout, terms of sale, and summary of local features and services. Subdivision includes Wonga Road, Holyrood Crescent, Georgian Court, and Stonnington Place. Auctioneers - N.R. Reid & Co. Pty. Ltd., 173 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley (Telephone) 560 0355, and Margaret Curtayne Pty. Ltd., 109a Canterbury Road, Heathmont (Telephone) 729 6844.

Folded double-sided brochure advertising residential land sale auction on Saturday 24th March (1956), with locality map and subdivision layout, terms of sale, and summary of local features and services. Subdivision includes Reilly Street Ringwood, and Philip Street, Daisy Street, and Lorienne Street Heathmont. Surveyors - Messrs Little and Brosnan. Agents in Conjunction - Peter Martin Pty. Ltd., Estate Agents, 55-57 Latrobe Street, Melbourne (Phone) FB 3571, FB 2783, and Peter Aubin Pty. Ltd. R.E.S.I., Auctioneers & Estate Agents, 345 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong (Phone) Dandenong 340, After Hours, Dandenong 932, 70.

"Rothsaye" was built in 1917 by J.B. McAlpin who was a councillor in Lillydale and Ringwood and was Mayor in 1928-29.Multi pocket burgundy coloured spiral binder containing 34 pages of the property history, subdivisions, land titles and photographs of the house, compiled by Richard Carter pre-auction 17 June 2006

16 plastic pockets containing the history of "Cherry Hill". Titles and subdivision plans of the 35 acres in the triangle bounded by Oban, Wonga and Warranyte Roads, Ringwood North. Multi pocket burgundy coloured spiral binder containing 34 pages of the property history, subdivisions, land titles and photographs of the house, compiled by Richard Carter pre-auction 9 September 2006. Includes architectural descriptions of "Cherry Hill" from original allotment in 1872 to 2006. Also history of well known residents who lived in it.

Double sided single page black and yellow printed advertisement for auction of home sites at Paris Estate, Wonga Road, Ringwood, Vic., on Saturday, 14th March, 1959, with terms of sale, locality map, subdivision features and summary of local services.Subdivision includes Mullum Mullum Road, Hendra Grove, Sunhill Road, and Wonga Road. Agents in conjunction: Charles Somers & Co., South Yarra and Melbourne, and Eric Weber & Co., Melbourne and East Melbourne.

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. HISTORY:-- From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Labassa https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) Labassa, Caulfield is one of Melbourne's most lavishly decorated nineteenth century mansions. It resulted from the extensive remodelling in 1890, of an earlier house, known as Sylliott Hill, which was begun in 1862-3 for lawyer, Richard A. Billing. The land at the corner of Balaclava and Orrong Roads was first acquired in 1854 by William Lyall, transferred to his partner, John Mickle, in 1859, who also acquired the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road, and the three allotments were conveyed to Billing. His first eight-roomed house was extended significantly in 1873 into a twenty-roomed house by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were possibly also responsible for the first house. This reflected Billing's success as a barrister, and he resided at this property until his death in 1882. In 1883 prominent Melbourne businessman, Alexander William Robertson, leased the Sylliott Hill property from Billing's widow, and in 1885 he purchased the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road. He purchased the Billing's property in 1887 and renamed the 6.31 hectare property, Ontario. In 1889-90, Robertson commissioned the German born architect, John A. B. Koch, to extensively remodel the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The existing house was extended and altered, largely resulting in the nineteenth century mansion as it now appears. After Robertson's death in 1896, the house was tenanted until it was eventually sold to the mining millionaire, John Boyd Watson, in 1904. He renamed the property Labassa and carried out repair and re-decoration work to the house. In the early twentieth century, many large estates were subdivided into smaller allotments as the demand for land grew and it became difficult to maintain such large estates. After Watson's death in 1911, portions of the Labassa estate were offered for sale, with Mrs Watson retaining a 1.73 hectare portion containing the house. In 1913 forty-six allotments were auctioned at Labassa Estate, with the formation of Labassa Grove and Ontario Street to the east of the property. Labassa was first recorded as containing flats in 1923 and in the late 1920s, the owner, Robert Hannon, built a red brick block of flats adjacent to the house. Subdivision continued, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) purchased the house in 1980 and subsequently purchased adjoining sites, one to the south-east in 1984 (house demolished in 1988) and to the west in 1988. Labassa as it now stands is substantially as it appeared when Koch completed the work in 1890. The original two storey house was transformed into a French Renaissance style mansion, with the addition of a two level L-shaped arcaded verandah and two prominent terminating bays to the south and the east. The building is of unpainted cement render with dressed bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet and steep, slate covered, flat topped mansard roofs behind. A truncated conical roof is a feature of the south bay and a helmeted head is incorporated in the parapet over the east bay. The main south and east facades incorporate many cast cement details, including sculptures, elaborate cornices, swagged Corinthian columns and caryatid consoles flanking the entrance porch, as well as pink marble panels and imitation marble, or scagliola, on curved surfaces. At the rear of the building is a two storey wing and a single storey cottage, the former being connected to the main house by a tower. This section of the house was constructed in 1873. The estate at its peak included stables (1873), conservatory (probably 1890) and a tennis pavilion (probably 1890). All of these outbuildings survive, with the stables and conservatory being converted for residential use after 1922. Internally a range of decorative treatments remain from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, both from the Robertson and Watson periods of occupancy. These include wallpapers, ceiling decoration, chimney pieces, mouldings, joinery and decorative glass. From Victorian Heritage Database citation for H0135 Labassa 2/2A Manor Grove Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural significance as the most prominent example of a small number of houses built in Australia in the French Renaissance style. It is of further note due to the German interpretation of the style and the use of Hellenistic sources, via Germany. It is exceptional for its lavish treatment externally, including marble, scagliola, caryatids, swagged columns, mansard roofs and ornamental cresting. Labassa is of architectural significance as the most important surviving example of German architect, John Koch's domestic work. He undertook a large variety of work in Melbourne, including a number of houses, however Labassa is the most lavish example of his work. Labassa is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding assemblage of late nineteenth and early twentieth century European style interior decoration, which remain remarkably intact. These include a trompe l'oeil ceiling, painted ceilings, embossed imitation leather and other papers, chimney pieces, ceramic tilework, oak parquetry and stained glass, including a tripartite window by Ferguson and Urie, probably dating from the 1873 period. Labassa is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the wealth acquired by a number of prominent Victorian families in the second half of the 19th century. The early development of the property, Sylliott Hill, was due to the wealth acquired by Richard Billing, barrister and fifth Victorian to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1878. The significant development in 1890 of Ontario, is illustrative of the wealth of Alexander Robertson, a partner in Cobb and Co., a director of Goldsborough Mort & Co., and a pastoral speculator. John B. Watson, whose father had acquired great wealth from the goldfields of Bendigo and subsequently invested in city and country properties, was the third resident to impact on the house, particularly the interiors. The Labassa estate is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the development that occurred in such suburbs as Caulfield in the 1880s due to the land boom, its proximity to Melbourne and the establishment of the Melbourne to Gippsland railway in 1879. It is also illustrative of an estate which succumbed to the pressures of subdividing in the early twentieth century, as properties became difficult to maintain and demand for land close to the city grew. It was typically divided into flats in the 1920s and was used as such for about sixty years. It is of historical significance for its associations with the remnants of the earlier estate which remain extant. These include the stables, conservatory (H2005) and tennis pavilion which all remain on separate sites. Also significant are the remains of early electrical wiring and fittings. Labassa was one of the first houses in Caulfield to be electrified and some of the original wires remain. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]Page 128 of Photograph Album with four photographs (two portrait and two landscape) of Labassa.Handwritten: "Labassa" 4 Manor Grove [top right] / Neg 232 8 Oct 1966 [under bottom right photo] / 128 [bottom right]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, caulfield north, labassa, richard a. billing, balaclava road, orrong road, sylliott hill, william lyall, crouch and wilson, alexander william robertson, ontario, 1880's, john a. b. koch, mansion, john boyd watson, labassa grove, french renaissance style, l-shaped arcaded verandah, bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet, flat topped mansard roofs, conical roof, elaborate cornices, corinthian columns, caryatid consoles, marble panels, imitation marble, scagliola, tower, conservatory, stables, tennis pavilion, mouldings, decorative glass, caryatids, swagged columns, ornamental cresting, trompe l'oeil ceiling, embossed imitation leather, oak parquetry, stained glass, tripartite window, triple window, ferguson and urie, 1870's, flats, 1920's, electric wiring, 1860's, verandahs, curved windows, arched windows, italianate, terraces, gargoyles, ornamentation, ornate entrance, la bassa, manor grove, st kilda east, victorian, cast iron work, john koch, richard billing, architects, electrification, john mickle, land subdivision, mrs watson, labassa estate, robert hannon, national trust of australia (victoria), sculpture

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. HISTORY:-- From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Labassa https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) Labassa, Caulfield is one of Melbourne's most lavishly decorated nineteenth century mansions. It resulted from the extensive remodelling in 1890, of an earlier house, known as Sylliott Hill, which was begun in 1862-3 for lawyer, Richard A. Billing. The land at the corner of Balaclava and Orrong Roads was first acquired in 1854 by William Lyall, transferred to his partner, John Mickle, in 1859, who also acquired the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road, and the three allotments were conveyed to Billing. His first eight-roomed house was extended significantly in 1873 into a twenty-roomed house by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were possibly also responsible for the first house. This reflected Billing's success as a barrister, and he resided at this property until his death in 1882. In 1883 prominent Melbourne businessman, Alexander William Robertson, leased the Sylliott Hill property from Billing's widow, and in 1885 he purchased the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road. He purchased the Billing's property in 1887 and renamed the 6.31 hectare property, Ontario. In 1889-90, Robertson commissioned the German born architect, John A. B. Koch, to extensively remodel the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The existing house was extended and altered, largely resulting in the nineteenth century mansion as it now appears. After Robertson's death in 1896, the house was tenanted until it was eventually sold to the mining millionaire, John Boyd Watson, in 1904. He renamed the property Labassa and carried out repair and re-decoration work to the house. In the early twentieth century, many large estates were subdivided into smaller allotments as the demand for land grew and it became difficult to maintain such large estates. After Watson's death in 1911, portions of the Labassa estate were offered for sale, with Mrs Watson retaining a 1.73 hectare portion containing the house. In 1913 forty-six allotments were auctioned at Labassa Estate, with the formation of Labassa Grove and Ontario Street to the east of the property. Labassa was first recorded as containing flats in 1923 and in the late 1920s, the owner, Robert Hannon, built a red brick block of flats adjacent to the house. Subdivision continued, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) purchased the house in 1980 and subsequently purchased adjoining sites, one to the south-east in 1984 (house demolished in 1988) and to the west in 1988. Labassa as it now stands is substantially as it appeared when Koch completed the work in 1890. The original two storey house was transformed into a French Renaissance style mansion, with the addition of a two level L-shaped arcaded verandah and two prominent terminating bays to the south and the east. The building is of unpainted cement render with dressed bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet and steep, slate covered, flat topped mansard roofs behind. A truncated conical roof is a feature of the south bay and a helmeted head is incorporated in the parapet over the east bay. The main south and east facades incorporate many cast cement details, including sculptures, elaborate cornices, swagged Corinthian columns and caryatid consoles flanking the entrance porch, as well as pink marble panels and imitation marble, or scagliola, on curved surfaces. At the rear of the building is a two storey wing and a single storey cottage, the former being connected to the main house by a tower. This section of the house was constructed in 1873. The estate at its peak included stables (1873), conservatory (probably 1890) and a tennis pavilion (probably 1890). All of these outbuildings survive, with the stables and conservatory being converted for residential use after 1922. Internally a range of decorative treatments remain from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, both from the Robertson and Watson periods of occupancy. These include wallpapers, ceiling decoration, chimney pieces, mouldings, joinery and decorative glass.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for H0135 Labassa 2/2A Manor Grove Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural significance as the most prominent example of a small number of houses built in Australia in the French Renaissance style. It is of further note due to the German interpretation of the style and the use of Hellenistic sources, via Germany. It is exceptional for its lavish treatment externally, including marble, scagliola, caryatids, swagged columns, mansard roofs and ornamental cresting. Labassa is of architectural significance as the most important surviving example of German architect, John Koch's domestic work. He undertook a large variety of work in Melbourne, including a number of houses, however Labassa is the most lavish example of his work. Labassa is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding assemblage of late nineteenth and early twentieth century European style interior decoration, which remain remarkably intact. These include a trompe l'oeil ceiling, painted ceilings, embossed imitation leather and other papers, chimney pieces, ceramic tilework, oak parquetry and stained glass, including a tripartite window by Ferguson and Urie, probably dating from the 1873 period. Labassa is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the wealth acquired by a number of prominent Victorian families in the second half of the 19th century. The early development of the property, Sylliott Hill, was due to the wealth acquired by Richard Billing, barrister and fifth Victorian to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1878. The significant development in 1890 of Ontario, is illustrative of the wealth of Alexander Robertson, a partner in Cobb and Co., a director of Goldsborough Mort & Co., and a pastoral speculator. John B. Watson, whose father had acquired great wealth from the goldfields of Bendigo and subsequently invested in city and country properties, was the third resident to impact on the house, particularly the interiors. The Labassa estate is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the development that occurred in such suburbs as Caulfield in the 1880s due to the land boom, its proximity to Melbourne and the establishment of the Melbourne to Gippsland railway in 1879. It is also illustrative of an estate which succumbed to the pressures of subdividing in the early twentieth century, as properties became difficult to maintain and demand for land close to the city grew. It was typically divided into flats in the 1920s and was used as such for about sixty years. It is of historical significance for its associations with the remnants of the earlier estate which remain extant. These include the stables, conservatory (H2005) and tennis pavilion which all remain on separate sites. Also significant are the remains of early electrical wiring and fittings. Labassa was one of the first houses in Caulfield to be electrified and some of the original wires remain. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]Page 129 of Photograph Album with three landscape photographs of Labassa. One of the photographs is of Labassa's drive and gates.Handwritten: 4 JUNE 1910 / SALE JUNE 28 1910 "LA BASSA' / "AUSTRALASIAN" FORMERLY "ONTARIO"/ RES OF JOHN B WATSON / 15 ACRES 3 ROADS [under bottom left photo] / 4 JUNE 1910 [under bottom right photo] / 129 [bottom left]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, intricate lacework, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, caulfield north, labassa, richard a. billing, balaclava road, orrong road, sylliott hill, william lyall, crouch and wilson, alexander william robertson, ontario, 1880's, john a. b. koch, mansion, john boyd watson, labassa grove, french renaissance style, l-shaped arcaded verandah, bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet, flat topped mansard roofs, conical roof, elaborate cornices, corinthian columns, caryatid consoles, marble panels, imitation marble, scagliola, tower, conservatory, stables, tennis pavilion, mouldings, decorative glass, caryatids, swagged columns, ornamental cresting, trompe l'oeil ceiling, embossed imitation leather, oak parquetry, stained glass, tripartite window, triple window, ferguson and urie, 1870's, flats, 1920's, electric wiring, 1860's, verandahs, curved windows, arched windows, italianate, terraces, gargoyles, ornamentation, ornate entrance, la bassa, manor grove, st kilda east, gates, cast iron work, richard billing, architects, john koch, electrification, victorian style, drives, john mickle, land subdivision, mrs watson, labassa estate, robert hannon, national trust of australia (victoria), sculpture