Heritage Protection for Osborne House, 214 Creswick Road, Ballarat Central

Planning Scheme Amendment C249ball will insert a permanent Heritage Overlay (HO234) into the Ballarat Planning Scheme to Osborne House - 214 Creswick Road, Ballarat Central. An interim Heritage Overlay applies to the site and expires on 1 August 2025.

Osborne House is a 1912 Federation era villa designed by Ballarat architect, Percy Richards for ironfounder, Joseph Osborne, who was the proprietor of the nearby James Smith's agricultural foundry on Creswick Road. In 1913 the property was further developed with Richards designing the stables and brick motor house, representing the transition from horse to motor car. A brick laundry was also built around the same time. The house is an excellent example of the work of this prominent and prolific local architect, demonstrating Richards' fine use of detail and the evolution of his style from highly embellished early Federation to the stronger lines of the interwar era. The house is distinguished by its very high level of intactness, which includes original unpainted render, slate roof cladding and terracotta embellishments, and the retention of all original brick outbuildings.

More information can be found on the Ballarat Planning Delegated Committee Agenda dated 13th March 2024.