Cross Terrace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cross Terrace |
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| Location | 44-50 Cairns Terrace, Red Hill, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | c. 1887 - c. 1888 |
| Official name: Cross Terrace, Cairns Terrace | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600285 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | basement / sub-floor, views to, attic, views from, residential accommodation - terrace house/terrace |
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Cross Terrace is a special old building in Red Hill, Brisbane, Australia. It's a type of house called a terrace house, which means it's one of several houses joined together in a row. This building was constructed around 1887 to 1888.
It's also known as Cairns Terrace. Because it's so important to history, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's protected and kept safe for future generations to learn from.
Contents
What is the History of Cross Terrace?
How Cross Terrace Was Built
Cross Terrace started as a row of four two-storey timber houses. They were built between 1887 and 1888. A man named Joseph Cross bought the land in late 1886. He worked as a printer for the government.
By 1888, Joseph Cross was living in one of the houses. These houses were built during a time when Brisbane was growing very fast. This period was called an "economic boom."
Why Was it Built This Way?
At the time, there was a law called the Undue Subdivision of Land Prevention Act 1885. This law made it hard to sell individual row houses separately. Because of this, the Cross family lived in at least two of the houses.
This meant the houses were built larger and more decorated than typical rental homes. Many other multi-family homes were built from timber in the 1880s. But most were only one storey or semi-detached. Cross Terrace showed that timber could be used for fancy homes too.
What Did the Houses Look Like?
Each house had six main rooms spread over four levels. On the street level, there was a front room and a parlour. Upstairs, on the first floor, were two bedrooms. There was also an attic room at the very top. A kitchen was located beneath the back of each house.
The outside walls were covered with special timber boards called chamferboards. The roof was made of corrugated iron. Inside, the walls were covered with lath and plaster. The houses had double verandahs (porches) at the front and back. These verandahs had curved iron roofs and pretty decorations. There were also four round windows on the front, called dormer windows.
Who Lived There?
In the 1890s, three of the four houses had names: Keira, Mascotte, and Kiama. Joseph Cross owned the houses until 1910. During this time, people like office workers, craftspeople, and business owners lived there.
After 1945, the building was changed into several flats. The verandahs were closed in to add modern kitchens and bathrooms. In the 1980s, the building was renovated again. It was turned back into a single large house.
What Does Cross Terrace Look Like Today?
Cross Terrace is located on a high road in Red Hill. You can see it from many places in Paddington. It stands out on a street full of traditional houses.
It is a two-storey building made of timber. It has a gabled roof and double verandahs at the front and back.
Inside the Building
Not much of the original inside of the building remains. Only the fireplaces are still there. The ground floor has been changed into a kitchen, dining area, sitting room, music room, and bathrooms. The first floor now has bedrooms. A new staircase connects the two levels.
The French doors that open to the front verandahs are still there. However, some parts of the verandahs, like the railings and decorations, are new. The round dormer windows that faced the street have been removed. A double carport with two gabled roofs is now at the front.
Even with these changes, the main shape of the building is still the same. The important openings and chimneys are also still there.
Why is Cross Terrace a Heritage Site?
Cross Terrace was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it meets certain important rules.
Demonstrates Queensland's History
Cross Terrace is important because it shows how the Red Hill area grew in the 1880s. It helps us understand the history of Queensland.
Shows Rare Architecture
This building is special because it's the only known example of a two-storey timber terrace house from the late 1800s that still exists in Brisbane. It's a rare part of Queensland's building history.
Has Aesthetic Significance
Cross Terrace is also important because it looks beautiful and is a local landmark. It adds a lot to the look of Cairns Terrace street.
