inHerit Logo

Prospect Villa

Author

City of Busselton

Place Number

00389
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

4 Pries Av Busselton

Location Details

HCWA PLAQUE

Local Government

Busselton

Region

South West

Construction Date

Constructed from 1855

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents More information
Heritage List YES 13 Aug 2014
State Register Registered 07 Feb 1997 Register Entry
Assessment Documentation
Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management More information
Category Description
Register of the National Estate Permanent 21 Mar 1978

Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust Classified 07 Aug 1961

Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory Adopted 13 Aug 2014 Category 1

Category 1

These places are the most important places in the Shire with the highest cultural heritage values, and generally have built features that are part of their significance. Some of these places have been assessed by the Heritage Council of WA and have been included in the State Register. These places are afforded statutory protection under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990.

Municipal Inventory Adopted 20 Jun 1996 Category 1

Category 1

These places are the most important places in the Shire with the highest cultural heritage values, and generally have built features that are part of their significance. Some of these places have been assessed by the Heritage Council of WA and have been included in the State Register. These places are afforded statutory protection under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990.

Statement of Significance

Prospect Villa, a two storey rendered masonry and iron house in the Victorian Georgian style, has cultural heritage significance as the residence of James Chapmen, one of Busselton’s earliest settlers and was the home of the Pries family, an important local family, for a considerable period of time from 1860. It is also believed to be the oldest surviving house in the town. It is valued for its aesthetic and historic associations and as a good example of a two-storey Victorian Georgian residence.

Physical Description

A two-storey Victorian Georgian house with stonewalls and iron roof.
Prospect Villa is a two storey rendered stone and iron Victorian Georgian house, with a gabled roof with chimneys. The main façade is symmetrically arranged and has a surrounding verandah. It is a simple and elegant house.

History

The Chapmans arrived in the Colony in 1830 and settled at Inlet Park, setting up a flourmill. The Chapman brothers were amongst the first to take up town lots. James Chapman acquired Lot 93 in 1855 and is believed to have built Prospect Villa soon after. It had limestone walls, pit sawn timber floors and a shingle-covered roof. By 1860 Robert Pries, a storekeeper and agent had bought the property and the place remains in the Pries family until it was bought by Tom McCusker, when the front garden was cleared to make way for a service station. After being used for Tourist Bureau offices and a museum, the place was leased out for a variety of purposes and some conservation works done. In 1988 Judy and Chris Murray acquired the place, saved it from ruin, and opened the place as Prospect Villa bed and breakfast accommodation in 1989.

Archaeology

The site has been disturbed for the construction of the garage but is likely to have
some archaeological potential given the length of its use.

Integrity/Authenticity

The place is used for holiday accommodation and therefore retains a high degree of integrity.
There has a good deal of change made to the place, but the underlying fabric is authentic. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number Description
40 Reference No.
11780857,11780858,11780856 Landgate Pin

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
3771 Prospect Villa Busselton-Conservation Plan Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 1998
3770 Prospect Villa Shire of Busselton-Final Report for Restoration Project Heritage Study {Other} 1998

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Other Use EDUCATIONAL Museum
Other Use COMMERCIAL Office or Administration Bldg
Original Use RESIDENTIAL Two storey residence
Present Use COMMERCIAL Hotel, Tavern or Inn

Architectural Styles

Style
Victorian Georgian

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall STONE Limestone

Historic Themes

General Specific
PEOPLE Early settlers

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

30 Jul 2019

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.