By Kirsty Ross
WYNDHAM City Council CEO Ian Robbins says a rare Spanish Mission-style building in Synnot St will not be removed.
The pale green building known as Muswell House is set for redevelopment to office space.
“The plan includes a small extension at the rear of the property, and the removal of a small shed which is at the back of the house,” Mr Robbins said.
The historic double-storey building has been vacant for decades and many locals feared it would be bulldozed when a recent planning application appeared.
Maria Lentini has lived in Werribee for about 15 years.
“It’s just a lovely piece of architecture,” the mother-of two said.
“I’m just interested in preserving what we’ve got in this area.” Ms Lentini at first thought the building would be pulled down just to build a car park.
“I thought oh no, this isn’t right,” she said.
“The gateway to the CBD may never look the same again.”
The Spanish Mission was built in the late 1930s.
Many residents took the place to their hearts, being brought into the world there by Doctor Prouse who bought the house in 1943.
It is the only example of such architecture in the West.
There are two more in the eastern suburbs – in Toorak and South Yarra.
“Maybe the council needs to set up a sub committee of people who want to keep the heritage intact, and keep our history alive,” Ms Lentini said.
