Nestled behind Mount Martha, The Briars is a historical conservation park managed by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Popular with tourists from Victoria and beyond, the site also features a homestead, wildlife sanctuary, visitor’s centre, bushwalking trails, and an events venue.
A well-known couple, Alexander and Emma Balcombe, started farming the land in 1846 on a 6,000-acre pastoral license. That same year, the Balcombes began construction of the original Briars homestead, one of the very first houses built on the Mornington Peninsula. The family extended the home multiple times over the following decades and lived there for several generations.
In 1976, a Balcombe descendant gifted the old homestead and remaining 220-hectare property to the Shire and the National Trust for the people of Victoria.
The Tender Process
The old Briars homestead had fallen into severe disrepair. Outdated construction techniques and the passage of time put the structure at risk of irreversible damage. Water exposure, age-related degradation, and termite damage had made the building uninhabitable.
The homestead had been extended multiple times over the years, with each addition adding a unique style and aesthetic. Restorations would require a multi-faceted approach from a builder skilled in a diverse range of construction techniques. Success would also hinge on finding resilient materials that complement the original design.
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council undertook a rigorous tender process to find the right builder for the job. After careful deliberation, the Shire awarded the contract to Croft Wootton Construction. Our track record for working with delicate Mornington Peninsula heritage restorations puts us ahead of the competition.
The team set about devising strategies for returning the crumbling old homestead to its former glory.
A Delicate Restoration
As the building would be open to the public and hold regular community functions, safety and structural integrity were key. Our restoration involved the repair or replacement of various structural members, with in-depth assessments to guarantee their strength. We met or exceeded all modern building codes throughout the project.
To retain the original aesthetic, our team sourced a range of antique and heritage-themed building materials, including exterior cladding, floor and decking boards, slate, and tin roofs. We shipped in some hard-to-find materials from specialist suppliers. Quality carpentry craftsmanship enabled us to faithfully replicate original period features.
Thanks to a meticulous attention to detail, our team seamlessly repaired even the most badly damaged areas, resulting in a sympathetic representation of the original 19th-century structure. The project involved the complete refurbishment of a commercial kitchen so the homestead could cater to a more modern clientele.
The Briars Heritage Homestead Today
After our restoration, the Briars homestead is safe for occupation and still retains its authentic 19th-century appearance, complete with period fixtures and features. The popular attraction has resumed serving the public and complies with all regulatory standards.
Regarded as a passion project among our team, Croft Wootton Construction received a Heritage Award in 2021 from the National Trust for this build.
