A Rare Survivor
As the owner of 5 Tranmere St, Fitzroy North for the past 18 years, and having a retired patent and trademark attorney father, I have a deep love and passion for my very unique, historic, and beautiful home. - Hayden, Owner since 2007
Highly significant for scientific and technical reasons... The only known example of an Elford Patent Portable House in Victoria. - Prof. Miles Lewis (AM, FAHA, FRSA) REF: mileslewis.net
California Redwood in Melbourne
Originally imported from the USA, this is one of a very limited number of rare Elford Patent Portable Redwood homes that still survives today. Located at 5 Tranmere Street, Fitzroy North, this particular example was in need of immediate sympathetic restoration when purchased in November 2007.
The property rests on a substantial 230 square metre block of land and is positioned in the heart of Fitzroy North, moments from St Georges Road, Edinburgh Gardens, and Brunswick Street.
The Elford Patent: Ingenious Design
The Elford Patent Portable House (US Patent 323,030, July 28, 1885) represents 19th-century prefabricated architecture at its finest.
Key Innovations
- Tongue-and-groove board construction with posts for easy assembly
- Numbered pieces allowing unskilled labor to construct the building
- Californian redwood timber throughout
- Innovative ventilation and shrinkage accommodation systems
The Restoration: A Labor of Love
As the owner-builder, I undertook the restoration of 5 Tranmere Street with a passion for preserving its unique heritage. The goal was to restore the house as close as practicable to its original Elford Patent design while ensuring it meets modern living standards.
The Restoration Journey
Phase 1: Starting Point
Purchased 2007 - Extensive deterioration with floors rotted through to earth.
Phase 2: Replication
Careful documentation and replication guided by original patent specs.
Phase 3: Completion
Code-compliant internal frame with high-performance insulation.
The Finished Result
The restored façade at 5 Tranmere Street
History: From Patent to Preservation
1883 - Arrival in Melbourne
Melbourne firms began auctioning Elford Patent Portable Houses, marketed for their "unskilled assembly" design.
2007 - Restoration Begins
The property was acquired in a severely dilapidated state, initiating a 15-year journey of preservation.
2023 - Project Completion
Comprehensive restoration finished, securing the home's future for the next century.
Location
5 Tranmere Street is located in the vibrant and historic suburb of Fitzroy North.
The property is subject to Heritage Overlay HO327, reflecting its architectural uniqueness within the City of Yarra.
Minutes from Edinburgh Gardens and Brunswick Street, it sits at the intersection of Melbourne's heritage and modern urban culture.