Travancore

“With gorgeous greenery lining its tranquil streetscapes, homes in the exclusive pocket are hard to come by, with the area’s style signature adored by buyers in the know.”

• Quick CBD and hospital access
• Rich in history
• Unique architecture
• Plentiful parklands
• Healthy rental demand

Transport and Proximity

Less than 5km from Melbourne’s centre, the discreet, inner-north-western suburb of Travancore spans less than 100 total acres, while offering its own, distinct presence. Instantly distinguishable from neighbouring Ascot Vale, Flemington, and Parkville, it’s popular among the medical community, with nurses, doctors, and students creating healthy rental demand thanks to single-tram access to Flemington Road’s major hospital precinct.

Aesthetic, Appeal, and History

Stretching from the western hilltop of Mt Alexander Road, Travancore’s historic London Plane Trees flow down to join the stunning scenery of Mooltan Street, where some of the area’s most charismatic design pieces can be found. With clear Art Deco style cues and further influences from the Edwardian era, the suburb’s assortment of 1920s to 1940s homes differs from those of its nearby counterparts, due to the timeline of its progression. Referred to at the time as Flemington Hill, the area was home to the 1852-built ‘Flemington House’, revered across the city and lauded for its up-to 25 acres of gardens, orchards, and plantations, with the remainder of the approx. 200 acres comprising a boat house, gate house, summer house, stables, servant’s quarters, and man-made lake with swans, ducks, and cranes.

One of Australia’s most spectacular constructions, it was sold post-federation to a notable lawyer and horse trainer, Henry Madden. Thanks to his southern Indian ties in horse exports, Madden named his mansion and estate after the Kingdom of Travancore: a name it retained for years to come. Sold by Madden to the Victorian Government in 1926 after multiple land sales and subdivisions, the mansion was utilised as a school for children with mental disabilities until its demolition in the 1940s. With its exquisite front gates preserved and repurposed, they now mark the entry to Flemington Primary School. A nod to the evocatively named mansion, the streets of Travancore took on significant Indian place names, including Mangalore Street, Baroda Street, Lucknow Street, Delhi Court, and more.