Bomera and Tarana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bomera and Tarana |
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Bomera_Potts_Point.jpg)
Bomera and Tarana, pictured in 2016
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| Location | 1 Wylde Street, Potts Point, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1856–1889 |
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| Official name: Bomera & Tarana; Boomera; Taranah | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 23 June 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1400 |
| Type | Mansion |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Bomera and Tarana are two historic houses in Potts Point, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. They are located at 1 Wylde Street and are listed together on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. Bomera was designed by John F. Hilly and built in 1856. Tarana was designed by Edward H. Buchanan and built in 1889. These grand homes are also sometimes called Boomera and Taranah. They are important examples of old Sydney mansions.
Contents
Exploring the Past: A Look at Bomera and Tarana's History
Who Lived Here First? Aboriginal History
The land where Bomera and Tarana stand is part of what is known as "Eora Country." The Eora people were the original Aboriginal inhabitants of the coastal area around Sydney. Specifically, the Cadigal and Wangal groups of the Eora lived here.
Even though many Aboriginal people were impacted by European settlement, their descendants still live in Sydney today. Over time, Aboriginal people from all over New South Wales have moved to Sydney suburbs like Pyrmont and Redfern.
How Potts Point Became a Fancy Area
In the 1830s, the area from Potts Point to Kings Cross was called Darlinghurst. It was likely named after Governor Ralph Darling's wife, Eliza. The rocky hill stretching from Potts Point was known as Eastern or Woolloomooloo Hill.
Sydney was getting very crowded by the late 1820s. Important citizens wanted better places to live. Woolloomooloo Hill was perfect because it was close to town and had amazing views of Sydney Harbour.
In 1828, Governor Darling decided to divide Woolloomooloo Hill into large plots of land. He gave these plots to important people in the colony, especially his senior government workers. The first grants were given in 1828.
The houses built on these plots had to follow special rules called "villa conditions." These rules made sure only one large house was built on each plot. They also had to be well-designed and surrounded by big gardens. By the mid-1830s, these "white villas" looked beautiful along Woolloomooloo Hill.
Potts Point is named after Joseph Hyde Potts. He worked for the Bank of New South Wales when it first opened in 1817. Before the settlers arrived, the area had Aboriginal names like Kurrajeen and Yarrandabbi.
The Story of Bomera and Tarana
Bomera: A Grand Home by the Harbour
The land where Bomera stands was first given to Judge-Advocate John Wylde in 1822. Wylde Street is named after him.
William McQuade Sr., a wealthy merchant, bought land at Potts Point in 1856. He bought several plots, including the one where Bomera was built. He also helped start Randwick Racecourse.
McQuade started building Bomera in 1856. It was designed by architect John Frederick Hilly. Bomera is a two-storey house built in the Italianate style, made of sandstone. It also had a two-storey stables and coach house, also made of sandstone.
By 1862, McQuade had added a bathing house and pool by the bay. The northern part of the property became a beautiful garden. People called these homes "marine villas" because they were built to enjoy the water.
In 1876, more additions were made to Bomera, including a billiards room and a large ballroom. These changes were also designed by John Frederick Hilly.
William McQuade Sr. died in 1885. His estate was divided among his three sons. Henry Michael Hale McQuade inherited Bomera.
The McQuade sons loved music. William Jr. brought a large pipe organ from England and put it in Bomera's ballroom. After he died, the organ was moved to Tarana. Today, this organ is in St Brigid's Church in Marrickville.
In 1910, the government bought Bomera. In 1917, the Sydney Harbour Trust took ownership. From 1902 until 1941, Bomera was used as a boarding house.
In 1941, the Australian Government bought Bomera for naval use. During World War II, it served as the Sydney Naval Fleet Base Headquarters. It was used for offices and even court-martial hearings.
In 2001, a property developer named Jorge Fernandez and his wife Monica bought Bomera and Tarana from the Department of Defence. Bomera was carefully restored.
In 2013, Bomera was sold for $12.5 million. In 2019, it was sold again to billionaire Sanjeev Gupta for $34 million.
Tarana: Bomera's Neighbour
Tarana was built between 1888 and 1889 for Arthur Frederick Hale McQuade, another member of the McQuade family. The architect was likely Edward Harman Buchanan. Like Bomera, Tarana was built for a wealthy Sydney family.
From 1890 to 1895, Tarana was used as the Ashford Ladies College. After that, it became a private home again. In 1907, a third storey was added to the building.
In 1917, the Sydney Harbour Trust bought Tarana, and it was divided into apartments. In 1941, the Commonwealth Government bought it. Like Bomera, Tarana also served as the Naval Fleet Headquarters during and after World War II.
In 2001, Jorge and Monica Fernandez bought Tarana. They converted it into three luxurious apartments, which were then sold.
What Do Bomera and Tarana Look Like?
Bomera and Tarana are a pair of grand Victorian-era homes. They are built on a large combined area of 3700 square metres. They were designed to face the harbour, not the street, to make the most of the amazing views.
These homes are important because they show how wealthy people lived in Sydney in the 1800s. They are rare examples of "marine villas" that were built right by the water.
Bomera's Design
The House
Bomera is a two-storey house built in the Italianate style. It sits above Cowper Wharf Road and looks very impressive from the water. The house has a grand entrance and large arched openings on its verandahs. It is made of fine sandstone.
The main part of the house has three sections, with a projecting porch on the western side. This porch has classical details and is supported by piers with stone sphinxes. The northern side has large windows with small balconies.
In 1876, an upper verandah was added. A large ballroom was also built on the southern side. This ballroom has a special timber ceiling and once had a glass roof. It also has fancy fireplaces.
Around 1902, a servants' wing was added to the eastern side, connecting the stables to the main house. Some parts of this wing were removed later.
The main roof is hipped and covered with slate. The house still has most of its original timberwork, like stairs and doors. The main hall and stairs are made of white marble.
The Grounds
Bomera's grounds are at the very tip of Potts Point. They were created around 1856 and include beautiful gardens, mature trees, and statues. The property covers 2156 square metres.
The house was designed to face both Woolloomooloo Bay and the harbour. The main entrance was on the western side, overlooking the harbour. This allowed visitors arriving by water to see the impressive gardens. The original driveway with its stone edges is still there.
The two-storey sandstone stables building is still at the entrance from Wylde Street.
The gardens include an old carved stone dog, an iron fence from the 1890s, and mature pine trees. There are also two Californian desert fan palms and a Canary Island date palm. A bust of Lord Nelson is in Bomera's garden. The property also has an eight-car garage and a three-bedroom cottage.
The Stables
The stables building is a two-storey sandstone structure. It was built in two parts and has an L-shape. Like the main house, it has a hipped roof with slate. The use of stone for the stables shows how important this building was as the entry point to the estate.
The stables still have their original sandstone walls and some windows. The south side of the stables was considered the most important.
Tarana's Design
Tarana is also located above Cowper Wharf Road and is very visible from the water. It is a three-storey Victorian-style house with great water views. It is another rare example of a "marine villa" in Sydney.
Built around 1889, Tarana is in the Victorian Italianate style. It has a private entrance, a reception area, and a marble powder room. The large ballroom is now a living and dining room with a domed ceiling and stained glass. The building has been turned into three luxury apartments.
The south side of the house has a main three-storey wing. The north side, facing the water, has a three-storey verandah. The house still has some original features like the timber stair, fireplaces, and arches.
Tarana is important because it shows the grand homes that once lined the Potts Point waterfront. It was designed by E. H. Buchanan and was home to two generations of the McQuade family.
Why Are Bomera and Tarana Important?
Bomera and Tarana are important on their own, but their connection to each other makes them even more special. They are a rare example of two neighbouring houses built for different generations of the same important Australian family.
These houses are great examples of 19th-century homes in Potts Point. It's amazing that they are still mostly intact, while many other similar houses nearby have been lost. They show what the waterfront homes from Darling Point to Potts Point used to look like.
The properties are also important because they were used as the Naval Fleet Headquarters during and after World War II. They continue to have a link with the Navy.
Bomera and Tarana were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 June 2000 for several reasons:
- Historical Importance: Bomera is the oldest remaining building at the northern end of Potts Point. Tarana was one of the last grand houses built there in the 19th century. Their connection as homes for the McQuade family is very significant.
- Beautiful Design: Bomera is an early example of the Italianate Villa style. Its designer, John Frederick Hilly, was a very important Sydney architect. Tarana has beautiful original details like joinery, fireplaces, and stained glass. It is also a good example of Edward Harman Buchanan's house designs. Together, Bomera and Tarana create an important visual landmark from the Harbour.
- Social Connections: Bomera was built for William McQuade, a leading member of a family important to early Sydney's social and cultural development. Tarana was built for the next generation of this family. Their use as Naval Fleet Headquarters also gives them social importance.
- Research Potential: The Bomera and Tarana site may still hold archaeological information. This could help us learn more about the old foreshore gardens and structures by the Harbour.
Images for kids
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Fiona at Edgecliff has an identical front elevation to Bomera in Potts Point.
