Tree lined Rockley Road runs off Toorak Road opposite the Toorak/South Yarra Public Library.
Rockley Road began its days in 1908 as part of the subdivision of the Little Rockley Estate. Little Rockley was one of four early houses built in the area on an elevated site overlooking the Yarra River, Rockley Road was created to provide access to the allotments from Toorak Road. The subdivision was advertised as ‘grand residential sites’ with ‘magnificent views from the northern lots’. Public gardens on either side of the entrance were a special feature to this prestigious residential area.
In 1913, a further subdivision of the Little Rockley allotment provided an extension to Rockley Road by a narrow ‘road’ on the site of the current walkway, connecting it with Alexandra Avenue. The demolition of Little Rockley did not occur for some time later.
Rockley Road features diverse architectural styles from two distinctive periods, post 1908 and post 1937, as well as by the redevelopment for flats in the post 1960 era in much of the street. Post Federation, Arts and Crafts cum English Domestic Revival and Moderne styles define the street.
No 51 Rockley Road, La Falaise, is a large house of English Domestic Revival design, a combined Arts and Crafts and Moderne influenced design. The massive roof is a local landmark visible from Alexandra Avenue and from across the Yarra River.
No 54 designed by Howard Lawson is a block of flats in red brickworks, render and concrete, with the trademark rounded corner windows found in Stratton Heights and other flats by Lawson from his later Moderne period. The side elevation faces toward the walkway over No 56 with a roof top terrace and perforated baluster design of Lawson’s other flat projects.
Recent Property Sales up Your Street
| 5/28 Rockley Road South Yarra | $1,510,000 | 23 June 2018 |
| 19/47 Rockley Road South Yarra | $770,000 | 28 April 2018 |
| 12 Rockley Road South Yarra | undisclosed | 26 April 2018 |
| 8/9 Rockley Road South Yarra | $550,000 | 5 March 2018 |