REMAKING HISTORY

Flourishing anew under an expert hand, the restoration of a heritage estate garden in Victoria showcases the glory of the past cast in a new light.

Bringing old-world charm and nostalgia together with grand plans for a new era, was the challenge set before Fleming’s Landscapes when restoring the grounds of Marnong Estate, located 30 kilometres north of Melbourne in Mickleham.

Originally built in the 1840s, Marnong Estate is a heritage homestead, now fully restored and offering world-class event facilities. An integrated venue destination incorporating a vineyard, brewery, farmer’s market and agribusiness — an Angus cattle farm that runs approximately 650 head of cattle to provide meat for the onsite restaurant, Bankvale Run — the estate is a first of its kind for the region and offers an authentic cultural and historical experience for visitors.

With such a grand vision, restoring the grounds to their former glory was paramount to the success of the project. Redeveloping the site and integrating the heritage gardens of the original estate with the bold architecture of the new function facilities was an act of balance and grace for the expert team at Fleming’s Group.

Fleming’s Landscapes collaborated closely with its sister company, Fleming’s Nurseries, and its team of horticulturalists to protect the integrity of the original gardens, while enhancing the site with the addition of new trees and plants. In doing so, they brought the historical site back to life. The new design also called for the installation of a grand sweeping driveway and additional landscaping for the newer buildings.

Patience and careful assessment lay at the core of the Marnong project. A growth area, the Estate sits alongside Annandale, a new residential community currently under construction in Mickelham, which will continue to grow and develop over the next decade.

With a brief that included the creation of a world-class tourism facility with a focus on sustainability and protecting the rich history of the homestead and surrounding grounds, Fleming’s Landscapes’ involvement was
integral to producing the right setting for this unique destination.

Working around a myriad of construction and restorative workers to meet tight deadlines, the Fleming’s team had to be flexible, respectful and swift. Among the unique set of skills required to bring this landscape to life was the capacity for heritage restoration — and a great deal of muscle! A series of Phoenix canariensis (date palms), somewhat gargantuan in size, needed to be moved to a new location, while others needed to be replaced. Sourcing quality specimens that would match the originals in size was a challenge that Fleming’s met with relish.

The heritage gardens required an indepth amount of tender care to get them to flourish once again. Replacements needed to be planted that were in keeping with the original style but would also serve as a background suitable for event photography, as well as make a lasting impression on guests as they moved from the carpark to the chapel to the restaurant.

With the scope of works completed at Marnong Estate, it certainly seems Fleming’s hit the brief on the mark. The extensive restoration reflects the grandeur of a bygone era with all the promise of a thriving contemporary venue.

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PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client Marnong Estate
Location Mickleham, Victoria
Plant Source & Supply Fleming’s Nurseries
Design, Install & Maintenance Fleming’s Landscapes
Construction Fleming’s Landscapes