"Park Lodge" a Victorian Mansion - Moonee Ponds
Built in the 1880s, "Park Lodge" is a very grand asymmetrical Victorian mansion situated in the finest section of the inner northern Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds.
Built of polychromatic bricks, "Park Lodge" has a wonderful verandah and balcony adorned with elegant cast iron lacework. The roof is made of slate tiles with metal capping. The brown and yellow bricks are constructed in a profusion of geometric designs, which even make the wall treatment a great feature. Even the chimney is built of polychromatic bricks. Perhaps its most outstanding features are the distinctive French inspired Second Empire mansard roofed central tower which bears "Park Lodge's" name in a cartouche over the upper floor windows. This feature makes the property stand out for miles around.
Sadly, the original grounds of "Park Lodge" have been lost in the years since it was built, no doubt a victim to the Melbourne property bust of the 1890s. The widening of the road onto which it faces has also encroached upon its boundaries as has the widened railway line. Nevertheless, the current owners have made the most of the space they do have, planting a formal Victorian style garden in keeping with the house's age. It features a range of topiaries and small hedges. The whole garden is enclosed by an ornate wrought iron fence.
Moonee Ponds, like its neighbouring boroughs of Ascot Vale and Essendon, was etablished in the late 1880s and early 1890s. However, unlike its neighbours, it was an area of affluence and therefore only had middle-class, upper middle-class and some very wealthy citizens. Built in the most affluent area of Moonee Ponds, this mansion would have suited a large, wealthy Victorian family of some importance and would have required a small retinue of servants to maintain. Today it is still mantained as a private residence.
"Park Lodge" a Victorian Mansion - Moonee Ponds
Built in the 1880s, "Park Lodge" is a very grand asymmetrical Victorian mansion situated in the finest section of the inner northern Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds.
Built of polychromatic bricks, "Park Lodge" has a wonderful verandah and balcony adorned with elegant cast iron lacework. The roof is made of slate tiles with metal capping. The brown and yellow bricks are constructed in a profusion of geometric designs, which even make the wall treatment a great feature. Even the chimney is built of polychromatic bricks. Perhaps its most outstanding features are the distinctive French inspired Second Empire mansard roofed central tower which bears "Park Lodge's" name in a cartouche over the upper floor windows. This feature makes the property stand out for miles around.
Sadly, the original grounds of "Park Lodge" have been lost in the years since it was built, no doubt a victim to the Melbourne property bust of the 1890s. The widening of the road onto which it faces has also encroached upon its boundaries as has the widened railway line. Nevertheless, the current owners have made the most of the space they do have, planting a formal Victorian style garden in keeping with the house's age. It features a range of topiaries and small hedges. The whole garden is enclosed by an ornate wrought iron fence.
Moonee Ponds, like its neighbouring boroughs of Ascot Vale and Essendon, was etablished in the late 1880s and early 1890s. However, unlike its neighbours, it was an area of affluence and therefore only had middle-class, upper middle-class and some very wealthy citizens. Built in the most affluent area of Moonee Ponds, this mansion would have suited a large, wealthy Victorian family of some importance and would have required a small retinue of servants to maintain. Today it is still mantained as a private residence.