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Dalkeith Property
Dalkeith Cremorne 2019.jpg
Location 8 Bannerman Street, Cremorne, North Sydney Council, New South Wales, Australia
Built 1911–1914
Architect
  • Henry Austin Wilshire (main house)
  • Stone & Siddeley (1914 pool room at front)
  • O'Keefe (2016 & 2018 restoration & renovation)
Architectural style(s) Federation Arts and Crafts
Official name: Dalkeith Property
Type State heritage (built)
Designated 2 April 1999
Reference no. 310
Type House
Category Residential buildings (private)
Builders G. E. Flower
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Dalkeith is a special old house located at 8 Bannerman Street in Cremorne, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It's known as a heritage-listed building, which means it's important to history and protected.

The main house was designed by Henry Austin Wilshire. It was built between 1908 and 1910. Later, a pool room was added in 1914 by Stone & Siddeley. Over the years, Dalkeith has been used for different purposes. It was a family home, a meditation center, and even a church for Norwegian sailors. Dalkeith was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.

A Look Back: Dalkeith's History

Dalkeith was built around 1908 for a man named Frank Whiddon. He was a successful businessman.

Who Was Frank Whiddon?

Frank Whiddon (1877-1947) was the head of Whiddon Bros. This company cleaned and processed wool. He started the business with his brothers in 1900. Frank was also very involved in the Freemason society. He loved sailing and was a founding member of the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club.

Frank married Alice Maude Curnow in 1906. They had three children while living at Dalkeith. Alice passed away in 1919. Frank later remarried and moved to Point Piper, New South Wales. Frank Whiddon passed away in 1947.

Dalkeith's Different Uses

From 1954 to 1978, Dalkeith became the Norwegian Seaman's Church. The old billiard room was used as the chapel. After that, it was used as a center for the International Meditation Society.

Exploring Dalkeith: What It Looks Like

Dalkeith is a great example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style of architecture. This style was popular in Australia around the early 1900s.

The Main House

The house has two floors and is built from strong sandstone blocks. The upper part of the house is covered with timber shingles. The roof is made of slate tiles and has decorative terracotta pieces.

You can see a metal veranda railing with fancy designs. The windows and doors have flat covers above them. The entrance porch has a rough, textured finish. All these details show the unique Federation Arts and Crafts style.

The house is a good example of the homes built in the area a long time ago. It's also special because it was once the Norwegian Seaman's Church. Dalkeith is still an important landmark in the area.

The Billiard Room

A billiard room was added to the house in 1914. It was designed by Stone & Siddeley. This room has rough plaster walls and a flat roof. In 2018, the original fireplace and stained glass windows were put back.

House Extensions

In 1923, the house was made bigger at the back. This added a side entrance and large reception rooms on the main floor. Wood panels and patterned wooden floors were also added at this time.

Other Buildings on the Property

There is a double garage next to the house, which can be reached from Bannerman Street.

The property also had an old workshop built in 1908. This workshop was later changed into a small cottage by the Norwegian Seaman's Church. It had a living/dining area, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The cottage had sandstone walls at the front and lighter walls at the back. In 2018, this building was changed again to become a pool house.

The Garden

Dalkeith is set back from the street on a sloped area. There are stone walls that create different levels. Concrete paths and steps lead up to the house. A large lawn is at the lowest level, near the street.

A low stone wall with an iron gate marks the front of the property. There's also a hedge of Viburnum plants. Another similar hedge lines the upper level where the house sits.

Between 2015 and 2018, the garden was replanted with traditional and native plants. Some older plants, like a large Sydney blue gum tree and a cycad, remained. Now, you can also find sweet pittosporum and angel's trumpet shrubs in the front garden. An Australian flag flies on a white flagpole in the front yard.

Changes Over Time

Dalkeith has seen several changes and updates over the years.

  • In 2011, some parts of the back of the house were taken down. A small building at the back was also re-covered and given a new roof.
  • In 2016, major changes were made to the back of the property. Paul O'Keefe was the architect, and Shaw Constructions was the builder.
  • In 2018, more work was done on the other buildings, the billiard room, and the garden. A new swimming pool was also built. Paul O'Keefe and Shaw Constructions were again involved in these projects.

Why Dalkeith is a Heritage Site

Dalkeith Property was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's considered very important for several reasons:

  • It shows history: Dalkeith is a great example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style. It represents the types of homes built when the area was first developing. Its garden and surroundings are still well-preserved, making it a significant local landmark.
  • It's connected to important people and groups: The house has a special link to the Norwegian Seaman's Church, where it served as a chapel. It's also connected to Frank Whiddon, the original owner, who was a businessman and a generous person. The architects Henry Austin Wilshire and Stone & Siddeley, and the International Meditation Society, are also part of its story.
  • It's beautiful and well-designed: Dalkeith shows excellent design and craftsmanship from its time. It's a beautiful example of its architectural style.
  • It's unique: Dalkeith is considered socially rare in its region.
  • It represents a type of place: It's a good example of important cultural places in New South Wales. It helps us understand the history and architecture of the region.

See also

  • Australian residential architectural styles
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