Victorian Housing Styles
A wide variety of Victorian style housing exists in Strathfield ranging from Victorian cottages to mansions.
Strathfield was known for its many large mansions. Most were built in the ‘boom’ period (1880s to early 1890s) before the economic depression of the 1890s. An example is ‘Mount Royal’ (now Australian Catholic University) is an example of a Victorian Italianate style mansion. This house features red brick walls contrasted with stucco detailing at window openings, entry portico, tower pediments and quoins. The building features a three storey tower flanked by two storey iron lace verandahs with a bullnosed roof.
Built 1887 for woolbroker John Hinchcliffe to a design by architect Harry Chambers Kent. Hinchcliffe died in 1895 facing financial ruin due to the 1890s economic depression where wool prices plummeted. After a series of short term leases, this house was acquired by the Christian Brothers in 1908 and is now part of the Australian Catholic University. It is unlikely this grand house would have survived except for its acquisition by the Christian Brothers for an institutional purpose.
Victorian Italianate
Victorian Italianate was
a common style for suburban dwellings of this period. The style is asymmetrical
(where the main bedroom protrudes slightly toward the street) and includes a
faceted bay. The Victorian Italianate features a post-supported verandah
extended across the front of the house or front and side.
Victorian styles are represented in the following heritage conservation areas:
Woodward Avenue, Vernon Street and Meredith Street. The majority of houses in
these conservation areas are single storey Victorian Italianate houses.
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'Heaton
Lodge' 64 Redmyre Rd Strathfield Contained in the Redmyre Rd Heritage Conservation Area. |
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'Quisiana' 81
Homebush Rd Strathfield Built c.1880's. 'Quisiana' is a heritage listed item. |
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'Wilverley' 8
Woodward Ave Strathfield Built c.1880 and located in Woodward Ave Heritage Conservation Area.
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'Brunyarra' The
Boulevarde Strathfield Built c.1886 for flourmiller and City of Sydney Alderman John Brunton Spencer. Later the home of Albert Grace, co-founder of Grace Bros, this home was also a wedding reception centre named 'Del Monte'. Now part of Santa Maria Del Monte, the junior school of Santa Sabina.
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'Glen Luna' Carrington Ave
Strathfield Built c.1888 for solicitor Dr George Sly by architects Slayter & Ellis. |
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'Steephurst'
Albyn Rd Strathfield Built c.1882 for stockbroker George Thompson, grandson of David Jones. Steephurst was the site of the first meeting of Strathfield Council in 1885 and served for a short time as the Council Chambers and home of the first Town Clerk, Fred Bennett. |
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'Brundah'
Liverpool Rd Enfield 'Brundah' built c.1880, later became part of Leigh College, a training college for Methodist Ministers. Heritage listed on Strathfield Council's Local Environment Plan.
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'Rothsay'
Abbotsford Rd Homebush Located in the Abbotsford Rd Heritage Conservation Area. Built c.1883 for stockbroker Samuel Thompson. Thompson was an Alderman on the first Woollahra Council.
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'Norwood' 14 Florence St
Strathfield Built c.1896 'Norwood' is heritage listed on Strathfield Council's Local Environment Plan. |
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'Wrexham'
16 Florence St Strathfield Built c.1896. 'Wrexham' is heritage listed on Strathfield Council's Local Environment Plan. |
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'Ellesmere' 59 Mackenzie St
Strathfield Built 1885 for Julia Bellingham and Marianne Sinclair , who were mother and daughter. This is one of the oldest homes on the Potts Estate. |