Thursday, March 22, 2018
14 Jena Gala Road Bellevue Hill
I think for the first time in over 80 years and designed by renowned vessel Leslie Wilkinson this iconic 2700 m² family estate is truly one of the Sydney’s finest.
The extremely versatile configurations includes eight bedrooms to study six bathrooms multiple entertaining reception areas in a self-contained guest apartment.
Flooded with sunshine and embracing spectacular vistas stress from the Opera house to the northern Beaches landscape grounds include waiting on sandstone Terrace in a private I think for the first time in over 80 years and designed by renowned vessel Leslie Wilkinson this iconic 2700 m² family state is truly one of the Sydney‘s finest.
The extremely versatile configurations includes eight bedrooms to study six bathrooms multiple entertaining reception areas in a self-contained guest apartment.
Flooded with sunshine and embracing spectacular visitors stress from the Opera house to the northern Beaches landscape grounds include sweeping on sandstone terrace in a private oh
Trisco historic waterfront state on 3326 m²
Unique of Sydney is Mr story beautifully preserved waterfront Estates Trisco is a magnificent example of early Victoria Italianate architecture privately message in the exclusive Elizabeth Bay loop designed and built in 1868 my need another tech did the day Thomas Road Alitalia stonemasons the grand sandstone manner was used as naval officer in command of the world Australian Navy in its architectural integrity the resident supposed stately boardroom including seven bedrooms two studies and two kitchens
Del Rio Penthouse, Residence 5 a 22-24 Billyard Avenue Potts Point
First time offered 25 years and set of approximately 1470 m² for statewide waterfront grounds and spending the whole top floor, this grand north-east facing Tracy residential cases on obstructed views across Sydney Harbour.
Design by J.Spencer stand field in 1928
Hello penthouse eggs you to charm and sophistication of old world Hollywood.
This bit is supposed to just penthouses just want to 5 whole floor apartments offering little secure access from garage and on street parking permits jetty for water vessel drop off and pick up and spectacular outdoor water salt water spill
Elevator (private lobby and magnificent house like apartment
Thursday, August 31, 2017
"Tusculum" - 1 - 3 Manning Street - Potts Point
"Tusculum" - 1 - 3 Manning Street - Potts Point
33 Degrees 87'11"S
151 Degrees 22'45"E
Tusculum is named after a town in Alban Hills 10km from Rome.
Tusculum represents the High Point of Regency Architecture
This design is only 1 of 3 houses left designed by John Verge (1782 - 1861)
It was Built 1830 - 1835 for Alexander Brodie Spark (1792 - 1856)
2 Storey Colonial Regency
Cedar interiors imported from Lebanon, marble for flooring and chimney pieces imported from Tusculum in Italy.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Normanhurst House - Cnr Alison Road & Cowper St - Randwick - New South Wales
Normanhurst House - Cnr Allison Road And Cowper Street - Randwick NSW
The Beautiful Mansion named "Normanhurst", was buiilt in 1887 in Alison Road, Randwick On the corner Of Cowpwer Street, which Overlooked The Randwick Racecourse.
The House Was Designed by the Architect John Kirkpatrick (1856 - 1923) - An Inluential member of the NSW Architecrtural Establishment, with a career spanning over 40 Years. it was for Mr Humphrey Oxenham (1854 - 1923), a Prosperous Bookmkaer and Gambler. \
Accounts of the house were published in "The Builder & Contratctor's News on 21 May 1887 and "The Illustrated Sydney News" on 15th April 1893. The latter described the house as being built "On the Italian Villa Style {with}a Frontage of 66ft by a Depth of over 100ft" and explained that "The Front Entrance door leads into a Marble fitted vestibule, from which a charmingly arranged conservatory opens on one side
By 1909, when these phoographs were taken, Normanhurst was the home of Emma Forbes (1855 - 1921) 7 her husband Alexander Forbes (1864 - 1919). Emma who was the Beneficiary Of the Estate of The wealthy Australian Pastoralist James Tyson (1819 - 1898), had reportedly Purchased Normanhurst from Oxenham for 20,000 Pounds in the Furniture, Carriages etc (Reference - The Sydney Morning Herald 6th December 1909 - Page 8)
These Photos Are in a Loose leaf Album, labelled by hand on the cover "Normanhurst Randwick 1909".
Each photo is moumnted by cut band corners and indivisually labelled.
The inside of the Album is annotated in biro
Mr & Mrs Alexander Forbes, Alison Road
Randwick Racecourse Sydney
Mother's Brother
House Now Gone
The Sitting Room
Welcome it’s Adrian Bo and this week as part of my local history series, I’m on the corner of Cowper Street and Alison Road to talk about a local legend who once built a mansion right here and lived a very colourful life. Humphrey Oxenham, was born in 1854 in what is now a small village called Wattle Flat in the Bathurst area. His parents had moved there as a result of Gold being discovered in Wattle Flat three years earlier, to mine and make their fortune. During the Gold rush, the population of Wattle Flat swelled to over 20,000 people and gold was still being mined there when the first world war started. The population now is less than 300 people. At 24 years of age, Oxenham heard there was a huge pumpkin at a local hotel, for some reason Humphrey saw this as an opportunity and casually asked the publican what odds he would give him if he could carry the pumpkin on his head from Bathurst to Kelso without it falling off as well as a horse called Goulburn winning the big race of the day. Back in those days entertainment was scarce so such a ridiculous challenge was considered primetime entertainment. The publican offered Oxenham 100 pounds to a shilling, which was the equivalent to 2000-1 odds.
Oxenham used a towel on his head as a cushion for the huge pumpkin and pulled off the feat, after which Goulburn completed the double later that day The winnings were invested in a lifelong career as a bookmaker, racehorse owner and gambler, initially at country race meetings. In 1875 he moved to Sydney after a big win with his horse, Hogmanay and became a good friend of up-and-coming Randwick trainer, Mark Thompson. In 1886 Thompson trained one of Oxenham’s horses “Cerise and Blue” to win the Sydney Cup, a $15,000 prize, which was a fortune back then. That win enabled Thompson to build his new stables on Coogee Street in Randwick which he called “Cerise and Blue.” And Oxenham used his winnings to build a mansion here on the corner of Cowper Street and Alison Road called Normanhurst. The house was built on two acres of land in 1887 using the renowned architect, John Kirkpatrick. The house overlooked Randwick Racecourse between the Denison turn and the Seven Furlong post. The pair went on to win many major races including the Caulfield Cup in 1895 with the mare, Waterfall, which cost only 100 guineas. Thompson was however disqualified by the Jockey Club in 1903 for the inconsistent running of one of his horses. Oxenham had to transfer all his horses as a result to Bert Wills who managed to win the Melbourne Cup with one of them, Arcasia. In the 1890s Oxenham built a business empire around betting shops and a mail-order sweepstakes operation. The racing authorities didn’t like this and tried to bring in legislation to restrict betting to racecourses.
In 1922 and 1924 Normanhurst was sold for subdivision into 10 lots which bordered Prince Street, Cowper Street, Alison Road, William Street and King Street. Fast forward to the modern-day and according to the records, Cowper Street has 497 units and 35 houses, with 60% being owner-occupied. 2021 saw 20 sales on Cowper Street with the highest registered price for a unit being $1.46 million for 1 at 52-54 Cowper Street. The only house to sell last year was number 56 in November. I really hope you’ve enjoyed the story of Humphrey Oxenham and Normanhurst here on the corner of Cowper and Alison. It’s stories like these concerning the area I have spent all my life in, that I aim to keep alive. Please enjoy this beautiful weather and always remember your home is worth more with Adrian Bo.
Side View - Normanhurst - Randwick - 1909
Dining Room - Normnanhurst - Randwick - 1909
The Front Gates - Normanhurst - Randwick - 1909
Side View Of The Garden - Normanhurst - Randwick - 1909
Breakfast Room - Normanhurst - Randwick - 1909
The Ante Room - Normanhurst - Randwick - 1909
The Entance Hall - Normanhurst - Randwick - 1909
Saturday, May 20, 2017
“Barham” - Forbes Street - Darlinghurst
"Barham "
"Barham" was built in 1833 & is the oldest residential building in Darlinghurst. It was purchased by SCEGGS in 1900 & has been part of the school since then.
The Grand Villa was bought for Sir Edward Deas Thomson, who was granted over 6 acres in the new Darlinghurst Estate in 1831. Thomson was born in Edinburgh and migrated to Australia in 1828-1829 when he was appointed the dual role of Clerk to the Executive and Legislative Councils in NSW on a salary of 600 Pounds a year
Governor Sir Ralph Dowling was very happy with Thomsons hard work & competance & granted him the land in Darlinghurst. John Verge was employed to design "Barham"whicvh was initially leased to Colonel Kenneth Snodgrass, before Thomson moved in with his wife, Anna Maria, the daughter of Sir Richard Bourke.
When Thomsonleft public office he was elected as Vice Chancellor Of University of Sydney in 1865, retaining his position until he was forced to resign due to ill health in 1873.
the couple raised their 2 sons and 5 daughters at "Barham" & remained there for 40 Years until Thomsons death in July 1879. He was buried at St Judes Church of England, Randwick
Thomson's daughter, Susan, married William John Maclaey, who was Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleays oldest son. Alexander was granted 54 Acres at Elizabeth Bay and he also employed John Verge To design his Villa.
After Thomson's death in 1879, "Barham" was purchased by members of the Ogilvie Pastoralist family who then sold it to SCEGGS in 1900
"Barham" is located just off Forbes Street within the grounds of SCEGGS and not be viewed from the street
Thursday, April 27, 2017
BishopsCourt -
Bishops Court At Darling Point Was The Original Site Where ThoMas Mort Had His Cottage.
The Original Mansion Was Built In The 1860's And Was Designed By Edmund Blackett.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
"Craigend" - Darlinghurst
Craigend
Pechey family, photographer unknown. Sydney Architecture Images- Demolished. Craigend, Darlinghurst. Built 1829 by Thomas Mitchell, Surveyor-General of NSW. Demolished 1922 for a residential subdivision. Darlinghurst ( in the area of present day Surrey and Caldwell Street
Detail from elevation and plan of a house proposed to be built on Craigend, 1829, Number 12 of the Wolloomooloo Hill allotments. Artist unknown.
Craigend: allotment of over 9 acres granted to Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell in 1831.
Craigend was the first home to be built at the highest point of the Darlinghurst Ridge as part of the original development of the area in the 1820s and 1830s. The home was built for Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, who arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1827 after being appointed the colony's Assistant Surveyor-General.
Mitchell was born in a house called Craigend in the town of Grangemouth, central Scotland, in 1792 and although poor was well educated. He could read in several languages and was proficient in science.
In his early 20s he was made a lieutenant of the 95th regiment and during the Peninsular war, between France and the allied powers of Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom, he served in the Spanish towns of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz and Salamanca.
His main role was to obtain topographical intelligence and these skills were noticed by the Quartermaster General, Sir George Murray, who employed him to produce plans of the major Iberian Peninsular battlefields.
After his marriage in June 1818, Sir Murray helped him land the role of Assistant Surveyor General in Sydney and in 1827, Mitchell and wife, Mary, arrived in Australia.
Mitchell actively petitioned for land on Woolloomooloo Hill (Darlinghurst) and in 1831 he was authorised to select an allotment. He chose a grant of just over nine acres positioned on the highest point of the ridge, where Royston Street is today.
Mitchell designed the villa, Craigend, and its Parthenon-style portico and elevated position on the hill led it to be known as the Acropolis of Sydney. But Mitchell's wild spending on such a grand mansion led him into financial trouble and in 1837 he was forced to subdivide his nine acres and sell the Craigend estate.
Until then, Mitchell was quite the adventurer.
The Survey Department was a schmozzle when he arrived. Surveying instruments were few and many of the staff were incompetent, so that title deeds were delayed and doubts and disputes arose about boundary lines. Tent poles were used to measure base lines, and hillsides with lone trees were used as trigonometrical points.
Mitchell inherited the position of Surveyor General in 1828 and the following year became responsible for the survey of roads and bridges. His work included making changes in the roads from Sydney to Parramatta and Liverpool, as well as plotting new courses to Berrima and Goulburn and a trail from the Blue Mountains to Bathurst. Many of the roads he plotted are much the same as the ones used today.
During his career in the 1830s, Mitchell also made expeditions to central, far-west and north-west NSW, to towns such as Orange, Menindee, Namoi, Tamworth and Narrabri.
On one expedition in February 1832, two of his party were killed by indigenous Australians near Moree. In March 1835, botanist Richard Cunningham was also killed by Aborigines at Bogan and on the same expedition the party encountered members of the Darling tribe who they described as ''implacably hostile and shamelessly dishonest''. During an affray with the group, shots were fired and several Aborigines were killed and wounded. Mitchell returned home.
Mitchell made a third expedition to plot out parts of the Darling and Murray rivers, but again his party got into strife with the locals and seven Aborigines were killed near Mount Dispersion.
An inquiry conducted into the deaths by the Executive Council in 1836 found that Mitchell had not made sufficient efforts to be conciliatory to the Aborigines but the council could not blame his ''want of coolness and presence of mind, which it is the lot of few men to possess''.
In 1837, Mitchell returned to the United Kingdom, wrote a book about his expeditions, begged for a knighthood and returned to Australia four years later as a Sir.
He briefly held an elected position on the Legislative Council and made a fourth expedition into the eastern interior of Australia.
During the 1840s he again returned to the United Kingdom but came back to Sydney to write another book, The Australian Geography, which placed Australia in the centre of the world map and became a school text in NSW in the 1850s.
Mitchell, who was a bit of a rogue in the colony and was regularly accused of insubordination, was also involved in one of the last duals in Australia with a chap called Stuart Donaldson who had publicly made some inaccurate, presumably defamatory, remarks about him. On September 27, 1851, each fired three shots and it was reported that one bullet went through Donaldson's hat while another went within an inch of Mitchell's throat.
In 1855, while surveying a line of road between Nelligen and Braidwood, south of Sydney, Mitchell developed pneumonia and died at his home in Sydney on October 5. Mary survived Mitchell but five of their 12 children did not.
Craigend, which Mitchell had sold years earlier, had a succession of owners and was later converted into a hospital, then a boarding house in the early 1900s. The Acropolis of Sydney was demolished in 1822 to make way for a large block of flats (below).
Friday, February 3, 2017
The Hordern Family Home - 14 Ginahgulla Road - Bellevue Hill
This Was The Home To One Of Australia's Mosr Imoortant And Influential Dynasties. This House Is Firmly Entrenched In Rhe Nations History
It Occupies A Magnificent 2,700 sqm Parcel Of Land
More Than Likely The Best Example Left In Sydney Of Professor Leslie Wilkinson's Style.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
"Cairo" - 81 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Ok
This Was Pulled Down To Make Way For The Chevron Hotel.
WHAT A SHAME!!!' THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL MANSION
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Sophienburg estate Liverpool
RUINS of a long lost Georgian estate once owned by prominent figures from Liverpool’s history have been discovered but an archaeologist is now needed to uncover the story behind the enigmatic site.
The remnants of Sophienburg estate were found last year by the City of Liverpool and District Historical Society’s president Glen op den Brouw.
Working on a hunch about where the estate would have lain, the Liverpool resident was walking through dense bushland in Casula when he stumbled upon several stone pieces.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
A Classic Georgian Manor - Mosman
Positioned In The Prestigious Balmoral Dress Circle, This Impeccably Reatored Georgia. colonial Manor Is Neatled On A Bast 2163sqm Landholding. Reminiscent Of The Sttely Rural Retreat, The Reaidence Is Set Amid Magnificent Heritage Hepunds Which Provide A Unique Level Of Peace And Seclusoon.
5 Eastbourne Road, Darling Point.
Wednesday 9th Nobemver 2016
Historic Charm
Beathtaking Views
Built In The 1880's, This Freestanding Villa Presents A unique Opportunity
265 Oxford Street- Town Homes
Without A Doubt One Of Paddingtons Finest Transformations, This Divine Turn Key Projecy Offers An Enviable Lifestyle. Hints Of Character, Intertwined With Contrmporary Chich Finishes Gives Thus Once In A. lifetime Town home A Truly Unique Aesetic.
Reflecting Pure Quality, No Expense Has Been Spared Creating This Exclusive Sanctuary.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
"Rona" - 2 Ginahgulla Road - Bellevue Hill
"Rona" - 2 Ginahgulla Road - Bellevue Hill
"Rona' Is A 2 Storey Ssndstone Mansion Set On A 5,700m Estate With Harbour Views.
It's One Of Sydney's Finest Residential Estates. A Trophy Residence Of Unparalleled Prestige, Size & Significance.
It's In The Best Position In Bellevue Hill.
It's Built In The Victorian Gothic Revival Style - Designed by G. A Morell And Built In Sydney Sandstone in 1883 For Mr William Knox, The Founder Of CSR Limited.
'Rona" Was Severely Damaged By fire in 1905, & Is Restored With Modifications by the Architect William Wardell Jnr.
The House Sold For $58 Million in 2018, Making It One Of Australia's Most Expensive Homes At The Time.
What You See From The Street & What Exists Beyond The Iron Gates Are 2 Very Different Things.
12 Ferdinand Street - Hunters Hill
Exuding An Elegance & Granduer Unmatched In Heritage Value Of Period Grace, This Breathtaking 1856 Sandstone Manor Is A Remarkable Rarity. One Of Hunters Hills Oldest Homes, The Residence Is Set On Approx1,037sqm.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)