Willsmere

Willsmere is a landmark building and residential estate located on Wiltshire Drive in Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.

The complex was constructed between 1864 and 1872 to the design of architects in the Public Works Department namely Frederick Kawerau and GW Vivian,cite paper
first = Cheryl
last = Day
title = Magnificence, Misery and Madness – A History of the Kew Asylum
publisher = Unpublished University of Melbourne PhD thesis
date = 1999] [cite web
authorlink =
title =Former Willsmere Hospital
work =
publisher = Australian Heritage Places Inventory
date =
url = http://www.heritage.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahpi/record.pl?VICH861
format =
accessdate = 2008-08-30] and possibly John James ClarkFact|date=October 2008 and William Wardell.Fact|date=October 2008

Architecture

Set on high ground above the Yarra River and rising another 30 metres, Willsmere is one of Melbourne's most visual urban landmarks.

The French Second Empire inspired design draws inspiration from the mannerist and baroque idioms and the complex contains masses of loggia and pyramidal mansard towers.

In addition to two main towers, Willsmere also has a smaller central tower, a bell tower, a central wing incorporating a monitor roof with louvers and skylights and the two outer wings with hip roofs, round arch windows and bay windows.

The forecourt contains a woven wire fence that is a historic recreation based on early photographs. The brick walls surrounding Willsmere contain scalloped sections and ball finials.

Verandas run for almost a lineal kilometre around the complex and contain wrought iron posts with capitals in the Roman Doric Order.

History and redevelopment

Formerly known as Willsmere Hospital, and before that Kew Asylum, the complex was decommissioned in December 1988 PROV "Agency VA 2840" [http://www.access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewAgency&entityId=2840# Kew Asylum] , Accessed 27/08/2008] and sold by the Government of Victoria in the late 1980s. An extensive Conservation Analysis was completed in 1988 from which the bulk of the original buildings were recommended to be conserved.

Following a rejected hotel proposal by AV Jennings, the complex was purchased by Central Equity in 1993. In accordance with the Historic Building Council guidelines, it was developed into residential apartments.

The new development was officially opened on the 27th of October, 1993 by Premier Jeff Kennett.

Willsmere has been classified by the Historic Buildings Council, Register of the National Estate and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

External links

* [http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/pubs/articles/asa97/KEWA.htm Kew Asylum Museum & Archives]
* [http://www.access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewAgency&entityId=2840# Public Records Office of Victoria - Kew Asylum]
* [http://www.centralequity.com.au/about-central-equity/about_map-proj-willsmere.asp Central Equity Projects: Willsmere]

ee also

Kew Asylum

References