Brighton Terrace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brighton Terrace |
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The two terraces on the south end, 2015
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| Location | 30 Sussex Street, West End, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1887 - 1890 |
| Architect | John Beauchamp Nicholson |
| Official name: Brighton Terrace | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600343 |
| Significant period | 1880s-1890s (fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | basement / sub-floor, residential accommodation - maisonette/s / duplex |
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Brighton Terrace is a special historic building in West End, Queensland, Australia. It's actually two pairs of duplexes, which means four homes built side-by-side. Designed by architect John Beauchamp Nicholson, these homes were built between 1887 and 1890. Today, Brighton Terrace is recognized for its history and unique design, and it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
History of Brighton Terrace
Brighton Terrace was built for a businessman named Emile Adrian Gaujard. He was a wholesale tobacconist and wanted to invest his money. The plans for the four houses were made in 1887 by John B. Nicholson, a well-known architect in Brisbane.
Building During a Boom Time
The first two houses were finished in 1889. They were quickly rented out to a commercial traveler and a bank manager. The other two houses were completed in 1890 but weren't rented until 1894. Each of the four houses even had its own name!
At the time, South Brisbane was growing very fast. Many middle-class families were moving there. Usually, people built small timber cottages. Terrace housing, where many houses are joined together, wasn't very popular. This was partly because of a law passed in 1885. This law made it harder to divide land into very small pieces for lots of joined houses.
Brighton Terrace was a clever solution to this law. It was built as two pairs of houses on two separate blocks of land. This meant each pair could be sold on its own. This made it a good investment. Most homes nearby were owned by people like clerks and accountants.
Changes Over the Years
After Emile Gaujard passed away, his daughter, Helene Therese Nicol, took over the property. Her husband, George Bruce Nicol, was a co-founder of the West End Brewery.
In 1923, the property was sold. It was later changed into twelve flats by adding new walls and materials. But in 1990, the buildings were carefully renovated. They were changed back into four separate homes and sold individually.
What Brighton Terrace Looks Like
Brighton Terrace is built on a steep hill. It looks out over the city of Brisbane. A timber picket fence, built in 1990, runs along the front. Wooden walkways lead to the houses, which are set back from the street. The gardens are mostly at the back, where the land is flatter. The current gardens, with palm trees and brick paving, were added in 1990.
Design of the Houses
The four homes that make up Brighton Terrace are almost identical. They are made of timber. Each house has one main story at street level. There's also a lower level at the back, where the land slopes down.
Each pair of houses shares a single roof. This roof is a "gabled hip roof" covered with corrugated iron. The front of each house has a projecting gable. These gables are decorated with timber "sunburst" designs and pointed ornaments called finials. The roof edges, called eaves, have decorative brackets. The outside walls are covered with narrow timber boards called chamferboards. The front windows are timber-framed "double hung sashes," grouped in threes.
Inside the Homes
Each house has six main rooms and three bathrooms. The front of the house is designed so that one bedroom sticks out a bit. This creates a small front verandah. These verandahs have original cast iron lacework and posts. The window hoods also have decorative brackets.
At the back of each house, there are verandahs on two levels. These have timber railings and decorative timber brackets, which were added later. The verandahs are separated by a deep timber valance. The ceilings of the verandahs have ripple iron, which has been painted.
Brick walls separate each pair of houses. These walls are smooth at the front and plastered inside. The inside walls on the main floor are single-layered timber boards. The ceilings on this level are also timber boards, except in the living and dining rooms. These rooms have plasterboard ceilings with decorative plaster roses, which were added during renovations. The lower level walls and ceilings are all plasterboard.
The floors are timber boards. Most main rooms have carpet, while kitchens and bathrooms have vinyl or ceramic tiles. Some original cedar woodwork, like door frames (architraves) and four-paneled doors, still exist on the main floor. However, most of the timber fireplace surrounds and entry hall consoles were added in the 1990 renovations. The fanlights (windows above doors) have patterned glass. The sidelights (windows next to the front door) have colored glass.
Each house has two staircases connecting the two levels. One is inside, and the other is outside at the back. The inside staircase was completely rebuilt. The outside staircase at the back still has some original parts at the top. The kitchens and bathrooms were all updated during the 1990 renovation.
At the back of each property, there is a large timber garage with a loft above. These garages were built in 1990. You can get to the garages using a shared driveway between the two pairs of houses.
Why Brighton Terrace is Important
Brighton Terrace was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
Brighton Terrace helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded. It shows a unique way people built homes after a law in 1885 changed how land could be divided. This law affected building in Brisbane during the late 1880s.
A Rare Example
Building two identical pairs of semi-detached timber houses on separate blocks was quite rare in Brisbane. This makes Brighton Terrace a special and uncommon example of Queensland's cultural heritage.
A Great Example of its Kind
The terrace is a good example of multi-dwelling construction. This type of building, where many homes are built close together, was not common in Brisbane in the late 1800s.
Beautiful to Look At
The homes are also very important for their beauty. They make a strong contribution to the streetscape. Their matching colors and details make them look even better today.
Images for kids
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Residences and footpath, 2015
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The two houses at the northern end, 2015
