Local Government
Busselton
Region
South West
4 Pries Av Busselton
HCWA PLAQUE
Busselton
South West
Constructed from 1855
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | YES | 13 Aug 2014 | |
| State Register | Registered | 07 Feb 1997 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 07 Aug 1961 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Aug 2014 | Category 1 | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 20 Jun 1996 | Category 1 | |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Good
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 40 | Reference No. |
| 11780857,11780858,11780856 | Landgate Pin |
| 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 |
Individual Building or Group
| 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 |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Georgian |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Wall | STONE | Limestone |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| PEOPLE | Early settlers |
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.