EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RECOMMENDATION TO THE
HERITAGE COUNCIL TO
AMEND AN EXISTING REGISTRATION
NAME
DATE REGISTERED:
VHR NUMBER:
HERITAGE OVERLAY NO:
LOCATION
CATEGORY
FILE NUMBER:
HERMES NUMBER:
PORTLAND HOUSE
12 OCT 1977
VHR H0417
HO562
8 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE
HERITAGE PLACE
13/8459-01
713
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL:
That the registration of Portland House in the Victorian Heritage Register be amended under the
Heritage Act 1995 to:
 include a registration diagram (the current registration does not include a diagram).
 include additional land [under sections 27(1), 54 and 32(1)(a)].
 include parts of the place that were not included in the registration in 1977.
 add a permit policy and permit exemptions in accordance with s.42(4) of the Act.
Reasons for the proposed amendment:
The registration of Portland House, which was gazetted in 1977, requires updating. No land was able to
be registered under the Historic Buildings Act until 1982. For places added before that time, only the
buildings are included in the registration, not the land on which they sit or an appropriate curtilage.
Places registered since 1982 include both buildings and land. Early registrations are currently being
updated to reflect this change.
TIM SMITH
Executive Director
Recommendation Date: 15 May 2015
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
Page | 1
CURRENT EXTENT OF REGISTRATION
No. 417. Portland House, 8-10 Collins Street (to the extent of the total exterior shell, roofline, and entrance
foyer of the front three storey building but excluding the interior, and excluding in total the rear two storey
wings.) [Victoria Government Gazette No.107 November 29, 1978 p.3721]
RECOMMENDED EXTENT OF REGISTRATION
DRAFT ONLY: NOT ENDORSED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL
The extent of registration of Portland House in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place
shown on Diagram 417 including all the land, buildings, landscape elements and other features.
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
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RECOMMENDATION REASONS
Executive Director’s Response
The significance of Portland House has been recognised by its inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register
(VHR). This is an early registration (registered in 1977 and amended in 1978). The land on which Portland
House stands is not included in the registration. In addition, only part of the building exterior and part of the
interior is included in the registration. This is inconsistent with the Heritage Council’s current approach to
registering places.
Portland House is architecturally significant as one of the few remaining mid Victorian townhouses in the
central city area. It is an example of Classicism in a transitional style before the so-called boom period. It is a
notable example of the domestic work of prominent and prolific Melbourne architect Lloyd Tayler. Portland
House is also historically significant for its close associations with the medical profession. It is associated
with the occupancy of notable Melbourne physician Sir Henry Maudsley.
Any development of the land on which Portland House is located or which immediately surround it would
have the potential to negatively impact the cultural heritage significance of the registered place (Heritage
Act 1995 s.27(1)). It is therefore recommended that the entire cadastral block (defined as Lot 1 on Title Plan
21286), be included as part of the registration of the place.
It is also proposed to amend the registration by registering the whole place, and providing permit
exemptions for those areas of no cultural heritage significance. Elements described in the current
registration would be affected as follows:
Extent of registration
proposed by this
amendment
Elements
Status of element in
current registration
Status of element in
proposed registration
The whole place
Land - Lot 1 on Title Plan
21286
Not included
Included
Total exterior shell of the
front three storey
building
Included
Included
Roofline of the front
three storey building
Included
Included
Entrance foyer
Included
Included
Interior (excluding
entrance foyer)
Not included
Included but identified as
of no cultural heritage
significance (with the
exception of the foyer). A
permit exemption
proposed for internal nonstructural works (excluding
the entrance foyer).
Total of the rear two Not included
storey wings
Included but identified as
of no cultural heritage
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
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significance. A permit
exemption is proposed for
all external alterations
(excluding new
construction), demolition
and all internal works.
The values for which the place was registered remain intact as identified in the existing statement of
significance. The statement of significance remains unchanged.
PROPOSED PERMIT POLICY
Preamble
The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a
registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage
Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions
the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.
The extent of registration of Portland House in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place
shown on Diagram 417 including the land, all buildings, landscape elements and other features. Under the
Heritage Act 1995 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate,
relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is
acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in
good repair and adapt them for use into the future.
If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they
must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable
appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage
significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is
required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.
Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted.
Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor
works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate
works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time
of registration (under s.42 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.66 of the Heritage Act).
It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the
interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted.
Conservation management plan
It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is developed to manage the place in a manner
which respects its cultural heritage significance.
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
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Cultural heritage significance
Overview of significance
The cultural heritage significance of Portland House lies in its architectural significance as one of the few
remaining mid Victorian townhouses in the central city area. It is an example of Classicism in a transitional
style before the so-called boom period. It is a notable example of the domestic work of prominent and
prolific Melbourne architect Lloyd Tayler. Portland House is historically significant for its close associations
with the medical profession. It is associated with the occupancy of notable Melbourne physician Sir Henry
Maudsley.
This section identifies buildings and features at the place and attributes a level of cultural heritage
significance to them.
a)
All of the features listed here are of primary cultural heritage significance in the context of the
place. The buildings and features of cultural heritage significance are shown in red on the diagram. A
permit is required for most works or alterations. See Permit Exemptions section for specific permit
exempt activities:

b)
c)
The original 1872 building including the interior of the front entrance foyer.
The following features are of no cultural heritage significance. These are shown in yellow on
diagram. Specific permit exemptions are provided for these items:
•
All interiors (excluding the front entrance foyer).
•
All of the rear two storey wings.
Archaeological: Ground disturbance may affect the archaeological significance of the place and,
subject to the exemptions stated in this document, requires a permit.
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
Page | 5
PROPOSED PERMIT EXEMPTIONS (UNDER SECTION 42 OF THE
HERITAGE ACT)
It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42(4) of the
Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.66 of the
Heritage Act)
General Condition 1
All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric
of the registered place or object.
General Condition 2
Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously
hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place
or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon
as possible.
General Condition 3
All works should be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive
Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works
suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.
General Condition 4
Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the
permit exemptions.
General Condition 5
Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant
planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.
Specific Exemptions
Works and alterations to the following buildings and features are permit exempt:

All non-structural works to the interiors of the 1872 building (not including the entrance foyer)
excluding the internal structure required to support the building.
•
Demolition of the rear two storey wings.
•
All internal works to the rear two storey wings.
•
All external alteration of the two storey wings (excluding new construction).
Specific Exemptions
Works and alterations to the following buildings and features are permit exempt:

All non-structural works to the interiors of the 1872 building (not including the entrance foyer)
excluding the internal structure required to support the building.
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
Page | 6

All internal and external alterations to the rear two-storey wings (including demolition) that do not
increase the footprint or size of this part of the building. New construction is excluded.
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
Page | 7
IMAGES
Portland House – Front (2015)
Portland House Rear
Addition on eastern side (2015)
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
Page | 8
Portland House Rear
Showing addition on western side abutting original house (2015)
Name: Portland House
Hermes Number: 713
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