The Wesley Church complex in central Melbourne is a substantial and complete collection of related mid-to-late nineteenth and early twentieth century ecclesiastical buildings. The principal group of 1858-59 buildings — the Church, Manse and Schoolhouse, all designed by architect Joseph Reed in the Gothic Revival style — are architecturally significant as the earliest intact church complex in the state. The Caretaker’s Cottage (1914) and remnants of the nineteenth century fence (gateposts and plinth, 1873) survive facing Lonsdale Street.
The grounds taken over by carparking, the site had lost its sense of cohesion. The buildings were in poor condition, suffering from inadequate maintenance and significant decay. The vision for the project was to conserve the key buildings in the complex and secure its future through a site-wide regeneration process.
