Koh-i-nor

42 Warringa Road , Frankston

History
Mrs. E.M. Skuthorpe, the proprietress, of Brentwood Flats, 420 St.Kilda Road, Melbourne, owned a large amount of land on Warringa Road in 1925.1 In 1928 she sold Lots 7, 8,9,10 and 11 to William Wilson of Deepdene.2 In that year a building was constructed on the property and by 1930 a house and garage occupied lots 10 and 11.3 William Wilson owned the property throughout the early-to mid 1930s but died before 1940, when ownership is given as the William Wilson Estate.4 Patricia M. Parer, a secretary, and Carmen J. Parer, a clerk, of Surrey Hills, were the owners of the house on Lot 12, part 11 of the Skuthorpe subdivision by 1952.5 The Parer Family (of Surrey Hills) were well known in Frankston prior to their occupation of this house, Joseph Parer having owned land near the pier at Frankston as early as 1885.6 They were also well known in Melbourne for their Restaurant and hotel business.7

Description
Appearing at first to be a renovation of an earlier dwelling, this house has a Colonial Bungalow form typical of beach houses of the Edwardian era, with its high hipped roof and wide return verandah. However, the use of concrete masonry (and in-situ concrete?) qualifies the date a little, with the vermiculated block pattern forming quoins and textured panels in walls, balustrades and the extensive front fence. Other elements of the 1920s include the spherical opal glass porch light, stone paved porch steps and the half-glazed entrance door pair. The tall (concrete?) chimneys are also more typical of the 1920s Some windows 9under verandah) also suggest an earlier period, with their limited glass area and vertical emphasis, but the front window bay is typical of both the Edwardian period and the 1920s.

External Integrity
New roof tiles and rear addition.8

Context
The continuity of mature landscape and this property's fence (which extends over two properties) help to unify the streets character.

Landscape
Good example of stone terracing, steps and edging, with a lawn terrace.

Significance – Study Grading C
Architecturally, the house is a large but architecturally austere design which because of its elevated sitting, landscaping and extensive fence, is architecturally distinctive in Frankston; of local importance and regional interest.