Cliffbrook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cliffbrook |
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Cliffbrook House, pictured in March 2013.
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| Location | 45-51 Beach Street, Coogee, City of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | John Kirkpatrick (attributed) |
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| Owner | University of New South Wales |
| Official name: Cliffbrook | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 609 |
| Type | Mansion |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Cliffbrook is a special old building in Coogee, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It has been many things over the years: a home, a school, and a government office. Today, it is used by the University of New South Wales for research and administration.
The building was constructed in 1921. It is believed that a famous architect named John Kirkpatrick designed it. Cliffbrook is considered important because of its history and unique design. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
History
Early History of the Land
Before Europeans arrived, local Aboriginal people used the land where Cliffbrook now stands. They fished and held cultural activities there. You can still find signs of their presence, like rock carvings and old cooking sites.
The Aboriginal people are thought to have lived in the Sydney area for at least 20,000 years. The Cadigal people lived south of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour). The local clan near Maroubra was called "Muru-ora-dial."
How Randwick and Coogee Grew
In 1824, one of the first land grants in this area was given to Captain Francis Marsh. Later, in 1839, William Newcombe bought more land.
The suburb of Randwick got its name from a town in England. Simeon Pearce and his brother James suggested the name. Simeon came to Australia in 1841 and helped develop both Randwick and Coogee. He built his home, Blenheim House, on land he bought and called his property "Randwick."
Simeon Pearce worked hard to get a road built from Sydney to Coogee. This road was finished in 1853. He also helped Randwick become an official town in 1859.
At first, Randwick was a bit isolated from Sydney. Travel was difficult because of swamps and sandhills. A horse-bus started in the late 1850s, but it was a bumpy ride!
Randwick had different kinds of people living there. Wealthy families lived in large, fancy houses. But working-class people lived in smaller homes, often working in market gardens or piggeries. Some poor immigrants lived in makeshift houses, doing the hardest jobs to survive.
The Impact of the Racecourse
Randwick was always a place for sports. In 1863, John Tait helped create Randwick Racecourse. This made a huge difference to the area. Trams soon connected Randwick to Sydney, making travel much easier. Randwick quickly became a busy and successful place.
Today, some old houses have been replaced by modern apartments. Many people from different countries have made their homes here. Students and workers from the nearby University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital also live in the area.
The Story of Cliffbrook
The land where Cliffbrook stands was first granted to Lewis Gordon between 1845 and 1846. He built a house there, but no records of it exist today.
The property was sold several times. In 1859, it was bought by John Thompson, a local businessman and later Mayor of Randwick. He is thought to have built the first Cliff-Brook mansion in the 1860s. This first house was made of stone from the site. It had large verandahs and even stables for horses.
Later, in 1889, George Hill bought the property. He is believed to have added towers to the mansion. However, Hill faced financial difficulties, and the bank took over the property in 1899.
In 1905, Sir Denison Miller, who later became the first Governor of the Commonwealth Bank, moved into the mansion. He bought the estate in 1911. The current Cliffbrook mansion was built in 1921. The older stone buildings were taken down to make way for this new house.
The design of the current Cliffbrook is often credited to John Kirkpatrick. He was a well-known architect in Sydney, famous for buildings like the Colonial Mutual Life Building. However, some people believe another architect, E. A. Scott, might have also been involved in the design.
Sir Denison Miller passed away in 1923. The property was sold again and eventually bought by the Australian Government. During World War II, the army used Cliffbrook as a school for tropical medicine.
After the war, parts of the estate were sold. The main Cliffbrook building became the headquarters for the Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) from 1953 to 1981. During this time, several new buildings were added to the site.
In 1981, the AAEC (now called Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation or ANSTO) moved its headquarters. In 1988, the government decided to sell the property. Because it was so important, a special order was put in place to protect it. In 1993, the University of New South Wales took ownership of Cliffbrook for research and administrative purposes. It was officially listed on the State Heritage Register in 1999.
Description
The Site and Garden
Cliffbrook sits on a large piece of land with a beautiful, established garden. There are lawns around the main house and a paved driveway leading to its entrance. Three tall Norfolk Island pines stand in the front yard, adding to the view from Beach Street. You can also see different types of palm trees in the garden. A large Moreton Bay fig tree is located towards the back of the property.
Old Stone Walls
The property has old stone walls around its boundaries. These walls were built in different stages. The western wall is made of sandstone blocks. The main entrance gates in this wall are in the same spot as the original gates from 1893.
The northern boundary wall is also made of stone. These walls and their supports (called buttresses) were built before the current Cliffbrook house in the 1920s. They show how buildings were made in the 1860s and 1870s.
The Garage
The garage is a simple building made from recycled sandstone. It was likely built in the 1920s or early 1930s. Back then, garages were often built like stables, as useful buildings that didn't try to look as grand as the main house. This garage fits that style. It has been changed many times over the years. There's even an old petrol pump near its corner, but it doesn't work anymore.
The House Itself
Cliffbrook is a two-storey building made of liver-colored bricks with sandstone details. It has a style called "Inter Wars Free Classical," but it also has touches of an older "Victorian Italianate" style, which is rare for a building from the 1920s.
The house has a slate roof, copper gutters, and wide eaves. It features sandstone blocks at the corners (quoins) and around the windows and doors. There are also sandstone porches and terraces on different sides of the house. The windows are white timber double-hung windows, and there are French doors leading to the upstairs terraces.
Inside, the rooms are fairly simple. They have molded plaster ceilings and deep coved cornices in the main living areas. Many of the original wooden doors and window frames are still there. These, along with the tall wooden skirting boards, were originally stained dark. In some rooms, the wood has been painted white.
Why Cliffbrook is Important
Cliffbrook is important for several reasons:
- Historical Connections: It is linked to the original "Cliff-brook" estate and to John Thompson, who was the Mayor of Randwick in 1873. It is also connected to Sir Denison Miller, who was the first Governor of the Commonwealth Bank.
- Architectural Design: The house is very well designed and looks impressive. It combines a 1920s style with older Italianate elements, which makes it quite unique. It shows high-quality work in its brickwork and carpentry.
- Building Techniques: Even though its style is traditional, Cliffbrook uses modern building techniques from its time. For example, it has reinforced concrete structures and terrazzo floors.
Cliffbrook was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because of its historical and architectural value.
See also
- Australian residential architectural styles
