El Nido, Hamilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Nido, Hamilton |
|
|---|---|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | 194 Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1928 - |
| Architect | Eric Percival Trewern |
| Architectural style(s) | Spanish Mission |
| Official name: El Nido, Cassa Anna | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 28 February 2003 |
| Reference no. | 602390 |
| Significant period | 1928 (fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | air raid shelter, terracing, paving, pathway/walkway, residential accommodation - main house, steps/stairway, garage |
| Builders | Burton Hollingsworth |
El Nido is a beautiful old house in Hamilton, Brisbane, Australia. It's a special building because it's "heritage-listed," meaning it's protected for its history and unique design. The house was designed by a famous architect named Eric Percival Trewern and built starting in 1928. It was also known as Cassa Anna.
A Look Back at El Nido's History
How El Nido Began
El Nido, possibly first called Cassa Anna, was built around 1928. It was designed for Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Powers. The architect, Eric Percival Trewern, was very important in Brisbane. He helped make the "Spanish Mission style" popular for homes.
The builder was Burton Hollingsworth. He built many of Trewern's house designs. The land where El Nido stands was first owned in 1853-1854. It was part of a much larger area on Hamilton Hill.
The Land Before El Nido
In the 1860s, much of this land was sold to James Robert Dickson. He built a large house called Toorak House at the top of Hamilton Hill. By the 1870s, the area was divided into smaller blocks.
Another large house, Braeside House, was built nearby around 1880. It had great views of the Brisbane River. The Braeside Estate was later divided into smaller blocks in the 1920s. This was during a time when Brisbane was growing fast.
Designing a Unique Home
Edward Ferdinand Powers bought the land for El Nido in 1927. It was a steep block with amazing views of the Brisbane River. Powers asked architect E.P. Trewern to design a special house. He wanted a "Spanish Mission style" home to make the most of the views.
The design was very new and exciting for Brisbane. It was even featured in building magazines and newspapers. People were especially interested in the special "Cordova-style" roof tiles. These tiles were said to be used for the first time in Brisbane on this house.
What is Spanish Mission Style?
The Spanish Mission style uses ideas from old Spanish buildings. It often has white walls, red tile roofs, and arched windows. While some buildings in Brisbane had parts of this style before, El Nido was one of the very first full Spanish Mission style houses.
Architect E.P. Trewern became famous for using this style in Brisbane. He designed other important Spanish Mission homes like Santa Barbara in New Farm. Trewern was a very successful architect. He also designed many commercial buildings in Brisbane.
A Very Expensive House
The Brisbane City Council approved the plans for El Nido in November 1927. It was expected to cost £3,500. This was a huge amount of money for a house back then. Most homes in Brisbane were made of timber and cost much less.
In 1927-1928, the average timber house cost only £558. Even very fancy timber homes were usually under £2,000. El Nido was one of the most expensive homes built in Brisbane at that time. It was a sign of new trends in building with brick and concrete.
Owners and Royal Visits
E.F. Powers took out a loan in 1928, likely to help build Cassa Anna (El Nido). The house was finished and occupied by 1929. It was even shown in an aerial photo of Hamilton in 1931.
Cassa Anna was considered one of Brisbane's most beautiful homes. It was featured in a society magazine in 1933. In April 1933, the house was sold to Robert Graham Brown, a doctor.
In 1937, Norman Edward Gow bought the property. By 1938, the house became known as El Nido, which means "the nest" or "the home" in Spanish. During World War II, a concrete air-raid shelter was built on the property.
In 1954, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Brisbane. The people living at El Nido decorated the house with the British Coat of Arms. This was seen by many people from the river and the airport. The house is still a private home today.
What El Nido Looks Like
El Nido is a large, impressive house built in the Spanish Mission style. It sits high up on Hamilton Hill, giving it amazing views. You can see the Brisbane River and even the city centre. It's a landmark building that stands out from the river and Kingsford Smith Drive.
The house is made of brick with a rough, white finish. It has two main floors and a lower level, using the slope of the land. Key features of the Spanish Mission style include its red "Cordova style" roof tiles. It also has arched verandahs with twisted columns and fancy iron railings.
The main entrance is on the western side. However, the side facing the river is considered the "front." The verandahs on this side used to be open, but they have been enclosed with glass. Inside, the house still looks much like it did originally. It has wooden wall panels and beautiful stained-glass windows.
At the bottom of the property, near Kingsford Smith Drive, there is a garage. It also has a Spanish Mission look with its white walls and tiled roof. The property also has stone terraces, concrete paths, and stairs. The air-raid shelter from World War II is also still there. It's designed to match the house.
There are also concrete stairs at 25 Hillside Crescent. These stairs lead down to Kingsford Smith Drive. They are included in the heritage listing because they have been used by El Nido residents for over 70 years.
Why El Nido is Heritage-Listed
El Nido was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on February 28, 2003. This means it's recognized as an important historical place for several reasons:
Historical Importance
El Nido was a very important and expensive house when it was built in 1928. It shows how Brisbane grew in the 1920s and 1930s. During this time, large old estates were divided into smaller blocks for new homes. It also shows a new trend of building more expensive homes with brick. El Nido helped make the Spanish Mission style popular in Brisbane. It also introduced the special Cordova roof tiles to the city.
Unique Design Features
El Nido is one of the earliest and best examples of Spanish Mission style houses in Brisbane. It shows all the main features of this style. It's a large, decorative home designed to fit a steep block of land. Its design takes full advantage of the wide views over Brisbane and the river.
Beautiful and Eye-Catching
The house is located in a very visible spot along a main road. It was designed to be seen and to impress people. Both the house and its grounds are very beautiful. They are important because they stand out as a landmark in the area.
