I ·39--41 AUBIN STREET I NEUTRAL BAY I 1Inswaol.library.usyd.edu.au › data › pdfs › 13922_ID...improvements at 39 Aubin Street, Neutral Bay, by a proposed two-storey structure

I I I HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

I ·39--41 AUBIN STREET I I NEUTRAL BAY

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I I I I I I I I 1997

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Wendy Thorp in association .with Robert Staas

I

I I Archaeological Assessment: Wharves 617 & 8/9 Walsh Bay

I CONTENTS OF THE REPORT

I I I I 1.0 Precis of the Report . .. 1

2.0 The Investigation 3

I 2.1 Context ..... 3

1I 2.2 Status of the Site 3

2.3 Objectives and Tasks . 3

I 2.4 Authorship and Acknowledgements 3

I 3.0 Historical Development. 4

I 4.0 The Property .... 6

4.1 The Principal House 6

I 4.2 The Setting . . . . . 7

I 4.3 Adjoining Properties 7

7 4.4 Heritage Value ...

I 5.0 Heritage Impact Assessment . 9

I 5.1 The Proposal 9

5.2 Assessment . 9

I 5.3 Conclusions . 9

I 6.0 Supplementary Documentation . 10

6.1 Endnotes .. 10

I 6.2 Bibliography. 11

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Heritage Impact Assessment: 39'-41 Aubin Street, Neutral Bay

SECTION 1.0 PRECIS OF THE REPORT

The Investigation

This report assesses the likely impact on heritage values of the house and improvements at 39 Aubin Street, Neutral Bay, by a proposed two-storey structure to be built to one side, east of the house and separated from it by a tenms court. The report has been prepared to satisfy requirements of North Sydney Council.

The Historical Context

The property is encompassed in the 700 acre grant mqde to Alfred Thrupp in 1814, sold in 1828 to the firm of Cooper and Levey and owned by members of the Cooper family until the later years of the nineteenth century. There is no evidence that the study area was developed in any way prior to the subdivision of the area in the 1880s and onwards. A portion of the land may have been included in a lease held during the last years of the nineteenth century as a dairy although there is no evidence that any improvements from that operation were included on the subject land. The majority of the property was included in a subdivision and sale made during·the first years of the twentieth century. The first house built on the land was constructed for F.B. Guthrie in 1906-7. It was named Reigate and it is the prinCipal house still occupying the property. The Guthries remained there until 1911 when William O'Gorman Hughes purchased the property .. The Hughes family lived there at least until the mid 1930s. The house appears always to havErServed as a single residence and from the 1950s to the present day there have been only three owners. There is no evidence to identify the original architects for the house, any changes made to it or the form of the landscape and any out-buildings which surrounded it. Undercliffe Lane was formed to one side, the west, in 1914.

The Property

Reigate is a two-storey Arts and Crafts style home. It retains many of its original features and detailing and most of its plan although. there have been some additions and excisions and loss of detail which have impacted upon its integrity.

The Setting

There are few details likely to have survived from the original landscape treatment particularly at the back of the house which has been I~ndscaped into a modern IClassiQal" style complete with pool and paved terrace. .

Adjoining Properties

Only on one side is there a building contemporary to Reigate. On the other boundaries are town-houses and a block of units ..

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Heritage Impact Assessment: 39-41 Aubin Street, Neutral Bay

Heritage Value

The site is currently listed as one of regional significance. This investigation has concluded that while it is a good and relatively intact example of its period and type the loss of detail and changes made to both the house and its grounds would indicate that a listing 'Of local significance is more appropriate. Better and more intact examples of the kind are found elsewhere in the Municipality that would and do warrant an evaluation of regional significance. These include "Hollowforth" and "Brentknowl" .

The Proposal

It is proposed to build a small, two-storey residence east of the present house and separated from it by the tennis court. The new building will have a separate entrance and garage.

Assessment

The proposed dwelling is located in a way that will provide separation from the main house and which will not impede views to or from the house. Its details compliment the design elements of the existing house.

Conclusions

Generally, the proposed addition is a satisfactory response to the brief to provide additional accommodation in a pavilion structure. rt will not have a major impact on the heritage values of the house Reigate or its setting or the streetscape in which this property is a contributing element. Approval should be given to the proposal.

WendyThorp Page 2

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SECTION 2.0 THE INVESTIGATION

2.1 Context

The subject of this investigation is the property located .at 39-41 Aubin Street, Neutral Bay. It is currently occupied by a house and several improvements including a tennis court and swimming pool. This report is an assessment of the impact on the heritage values of the existing building by a new structure wl1ich is proposed for the eastern side of the property fronting Aubin Street. This report has been prepared to satisfy the requirements of North Sydney Council with respect to this development.

2.2 Status of the Site

The site has been included on the Inventory of the North Sydney Heritage Study (Reference Number 1301) and is listed as an item of regional heritage significance in the Schedule attached to the North Sydney LEP. No other heritage assessment has been made of this property.

2.3 Objectives and Tasks

The purpose of the work is to evaluate the impact of, the proposed new building on the heritage or cultural values of the established property. Those values may encompass histdrical associations, technical and aesthetic considerations, social or community esteem and scientific potential. To prepare this assessment primary and secondary historical research has been undertaken, a site inspection made and assessment prepared of the proposed work. This report doc.uments the work and its conclusions.

2.4 Authorship and Acknowledgements

This report has been written and researched by Wend':! Thorp: The work has been undertaken in association with Robert Staas (Noel Bell, Ridley Smith and Partners) who contributed the assessment of architectural valu~s.

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Heritage Impact Assessment: 39-41 AU,bin Street, Neutral Bay

SECTION 3.0 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

The property is very poorly documented at least with respect to records in public repositories. However, sufficient is available to provide an ove'rview of the development and place of this property in the region.

The land at 39-41 Aubin Street was part of the original grant of 700 acres acquired for Alfred Thrupp as a wedding present by his father-in-law Captain John Piper in 1814. There is no evidence that Thrupp occupied any portion of his land pridr to his departure to Tasmania in 1817 (1).

Thrupp's estate was purchased by the firm of Cooper and Levey in 1828 in resolution of debts owed by John Piper, suggesting that the land was never formally transferred to Thrupp. John Cooper, a nephew of the principal, managed the estate. and subsequently it was bequeathed to him. Portions of the property were sold on lease for ninety-nine years. Until the later years of the nineteenth century most of the developed leases at Neutral Bay were located close to the water-front. The land behind was still described as heavy bush (2). The construction of Military Road in the 1870s encouraged the subdivision of the lands between this and the properties along the bay. The most significant period of subdivision occurred in the 1880s-1890s but land was still being sold during the early decades of the twentieth century.

-One large portion leased during the later nineteenth century was to a man named Baliff, the first postman to deliver letters in Neutral Bay. After his life as a postman he kept a dairy on ALlbin Street. His dairy was described as being in the bush and it appears from subdivisions plans that the eastern portion of the study area may have been part of Baliff's lot (3).

The land occupied by the house was included in what was Urara Estate although it appears likely that the owners purchased a second block from Baliffs land either at the same time or some time after their purchase of the principal house site. The latter is shown on an undated subdivision plan of Neutral Bay where it was part of fourteen lots (4).

The house built on the new allotment was constructed in 1906-7 (5). It was named "Reigate" and was first occupied by Frederick Guthrie (6). Originally numbered 33 it shared the same block and the same street number as several other fine homes built at about the same time as Reigate. The other properties were "Elswick", "Arklands" and "Waverley". There are no known plans or descriptions of "Reigate" as it was first built and the architects are not known.

The Guthrie's occupied the property until 1911 at which time William O'Gorman Hughes, a dentist, purchased it. Hughes and his family remained at tt:le house at least until the mid-1930s (7). The principal and only known change to the 'property was the introduction of Undercliffe Lane next to Reigate in 1914 (8).

WendyThorp Page 4



The occupants of the house during the 1940s are unknown but by 1954 it was owned by Beatrice Charlton who, in that year, sold it to Marie Duncan for 6000 pounds. The property encompassed 32 3/4 perches (9). Marie Duncan owned the house until 1984 at which time it was sold to the present owners (10).

There are no records of change made to the house in this time although, clearly from the evidence supplied by the property as it now stands, several substantial changes, additions and excisions have been made to the house and its land.

In summary:

• the fjrst grant was made in 1814 to Alfred Thrupp or his father-in-law John Piper but was not occupied by him

• the land was sold in 1828 to the firm of Cooper and Levey as part settlement of Piper's debts

• Cooper acquired this land and made several leases. Almost all development until the later years of the nineteenth century was towards the waterfront; the area behind was dense bush .

• by the end of the nineteenth century part of the subject land was included in a lease made to the first postman of the area called Baliff. He used it as a dairy

• the principal residential portion of the block was sold in c. 1906 to the F. B. Guthrie who was responsible for the construction of the house still standing named "Reigate". There are no known plans and the architects are unknown. It is likely that Guthrie purchased a block from the Baliff property at the same time or shortly afterwards;

• the Guthrie's occupied the house until 1911

• the Hughes purchased it in 1911 and resided there at least until the mid 1930s.·

• the house has been a residential property until the present day with a maximum of 3-4 separate owners.

• Undercliffe Lane was introduced in 1914.

Wendy Thorp PageS

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Heritage Impact Assessment:

SECTION 4.0 THE PROPERTY

4.1 The Principal House

39-41 Aubin Street, Neutral Bay

"Reigate" is a Federation Arts and Crafts styled house. It is a substantial, two-storey building constructed of pressed face briqk-work on a sandstone base. It has a rough cast upper storey and a complex hipped and gabled terra-cotta tiled roof. The design is complimented by a number of tapered, rough-cast chimneys with terra-cotta pots.

Detailing on the hous-e is typical of many early twentieth century residential designs in the area. It includes an extensive use of purpose-made moulded bricks for corbels and string courses, the use of exposed rafters with boarded eaves linings and a steeply roofed polygonal, shingled bay window.

The northern facade is asymmetrical. It has a steeply shingled bay located on the right hand side and an arched entry porch surmounted by an open balcony on the first floor on the left. A single storey service wing is located on the western side of the house under a continuation of the main roof. The main windows on this facade are surface mounted box framed casements with highlights and upper level multiple panes. The porch has been modified from its original form by the removal of an enclosing section of brickwork and timber balustrade. This is evidenced by the remnant slate threshold and the state of the adjoining brickwork. It is floored with terra-cotta tiles with a contrasting border.

The eastern and southern facades are typical of the late Federation style. They have projecting shingled bays and a wide, timber-detailed verandah under complex interconnected gabled and skill ion roofs. The verandah detail comprises stone piers which support paired timber columns with stop chamfered details and timber balustrades with cut-out heart shaped motifs. Two sets of French doors have been inserted in recent times into the walls of the rooms adjoining the verandah. As well, a section of balustrade has been removed to .give direcfaccess to the garden behind the house by means of a modern set of stone steps.

The house is slightly elevated at the rear resting on a stone basement. The latter encloses a partially excavated storeroom; access to this space is gained from outside the house. A rusticated weatherboard enclosure protects a rear staircase leading to the service wing. A timber framed deck has been added to the back of the service wing some time after its construction. Details of construction visible in this section of the building include a Malthoid damp-proof course, cement ventilation grilles which have been coloured to resemble terra-cotta and arched headed double-hung windows with timber shutters.

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4.2 The Setting

The house is set well below the road level on the southern side of Aubin Street. The footpath is supported along the northern boundary of the property by a rubble sandstone retaining wall which is surmounted by a timber framed paling fence with reproduction Federation detailing. The main entry to the house is made by a steep flight of stone steps leading from Aubin Street.

A tennis court is located on the eastern side of the house. This visually separates the house from a large block of units of recent construction. The separation created by this open space also allows for the eastern facade of the house to be seen from some limited vantage points in Aubin Street. The western side of the property, running next to Undercliffe Lane, is largely taken up by the service wing attached to the house.

In front of the house there is a circular feature with a fountain and, to one side, a paved yard. A small garden bed abuts the porch. bnly a few details are likely to have survived from the original landscape design. The rear of the site has been terraced to form a modern "Classical" landscaped treatment. It is partially occupied by an enclosed swimming pool at the lowest level and a paved terrace. There is little evidence of what may have comprised the original landscape design.

4.3 Adjoining Properties

Along the southern boundary, at he back of the house, are a series of town houses built in recent years. They have small northern courtyards and balconies. The westernmost unit has a look-out in the form of a tower.

To the west of the house is a modified late Federation bungalow separated from the study area by Undercliffe Lane. Views of the rear of the site from this laneway are restricted by the height of the boundary fencing and the advanced screen planting. To the east is a large, modern block of units.

4.4 Heritage Value

The building is a good and relatively intact example of the development of Neutral Bay in this period. It retains some but not all of its original setting. It illustrates the local themes of Subdivision and Settlement.

The building is currently listed to be of regional heritage significance. Some consideration should be given to relisting this property to be of local significance. While it is illustrative of the period and can help to define important changes occurring in Neutral Bay at that time, its loss of some detail and changes made to the building and the site, have some impact on its integrity. As well better examples of the style and its setting may be found elsewhere in the municipality which would and are be better examples in a regional context. These include "Hollowforth" at 146 Kurraba Road, "Brentknowl" at 31 Shellcove Road, the

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McLaren Street group opposite the Council Chambers, the house at 2 Hay Street and St Augustine's Rectory in Wickham Road.

Wendy Thorp Page 8

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SECTION 5.0 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

5.1 The Proposal

It is intended to build a small, square plan, two-storey dwelling on the Aubin Street frontage east of the present house. It will be subservient in scale to the present house and will have a tiled roof form with separated awning protrusions. Materials and details found on the existing building are proposed for use on the new structure. They include rough casting of the upper floor, terra-cotta tiles for the roof and shingled work to the balconies and awnings. The fence and gate details replicate those existing. .

5.2 Assessment

The fence, gate and FOof form of the existing house currently are the main visual elements in the streetscape in this section of Aubin Street. Because of the significant fall in the level of the site the new building will be interpreted from the street as a single storey structure. It will be located well in front of the existing building alignment and occupy a portion of the site which is not prominent in the overall setting of the existing house when it is considered from within the site boundaries. The low level of the building will not unduly interfere with the principal views to the eastern facade of the heritage item from Aubin Street or the views to the house from points west of Undercliffe Lane. As well it will not adversely effect any major views from the house. Its separation from the main building is sufficient to avoid over-crowding and is more than characteristic of development in the surrounding area.

The details proposed for the building reflect the period of the principal heritage item and will compliment while not replicating that item.

5.4 Conclusions

Generally, the proposed addition is a satisfactory response to the brief to provide additional accommodation in a pavilion structure. It will not have a major impact on the heritage values of the house Reigate or its setting or the streetscape on which this property is a contributing element. Approval should be given to the proposal.

The proposed construction of the building does not impact on any known relics or evidence of past occupation and, so, there is no requirement with respect to the Heritage Act of NSW, to apply for an Excavation Permit.

Wendy Thorp Page 9

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SECTION 6.0 SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTATION

6.1 Endnotes

1. G. V. Mann, North Sydney History and Progress from Earliest Settlement, 53.

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid., 61 and "Alma Neutral Bay North Shore for Sale by Auction" ML Subdivision Plan SP N4/92

4. Neutral Bay Property Residential Sites and Residence Kn.own as La Rocque

Subdivision Plan ML M SP N4/131

5. Sands pirectory Listing, North Sydney - Aubin Street and Council records.

6. Ibid.

7. Sands Directory listings 1907-1932, North Sydney,. Aubin Street.

8. Ibid., 1914.

5. L TO Old Systems Book 2296 No. 675

6. L TO Old Systems Book 3622 No. 720

Wendy Thoq:~ Page 10

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6.2 Bibliography

Books and Reports

Godden Mackay Pty Ltd North Sydney Heritage Study Review North Sydney Council. 1993.

G.V. Mann North Sydney History and Progress from Earliest Settlement 1788 - 1938 Council of the Municipality of North Sydney. 1938.

Land and Directory Records

L TO Old Systems Book 2296 No 675, Book 2296 No. 676, Book 2919 No 139, Book 3622 No. 720, Book 3622 No. 721.

Sands and Kenny Metropolitan and Country Directory

Maps and Plans

"Alma Neutral Bay North Shore for Sale by Auction" ML Subdivision Plan SP N4/92

Neutral Bay Property Residential Sites and Residence Known as La Rocque Subdivison Plan ML M SP N4/131

Wendy Thorp Page 11

I ·39--41 AUBIN STREET I NEUTRAL BAY I 1Inswaol.library.usyd.edu.au › data › pdfs › 13922_ID...improvements at 39 Aubin Street, Neutral Bay, by a proposed two-storey structure

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