Engehurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Engehurst |
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Engehurst
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| Location | Paddington, Municipality of Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1834–1835 |
| Architect | John Verge |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Georgian |
| Official name: Engehurst | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 575 |
| Type | Villa |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Engehurst is a historic house in Paddington, Australia. It was designed by a famous architect named John Verge and built between 1834 and 1835. This special home is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its important history.
Contents
Discovering Engehurst's Past
How Paddington Grew Over Time
Paddington is a suburb named after a place in London. It started as open fields next to Victoria Barracks, a military base. Unlike other early Sydney suburbs, people living here had to travel for work. There weren't many local jobs.
The area began to grow around 1838. This was when a new military barracks was planned for Paddington. Once Victoria Barracks opened in 1848, Paddington started to become a real community. Homes were built for soldiers and their families.
The land was quite sandy, with a large sandhill nearby. Builders had to dig deep to find strong stone for foundations. Much of the stone used came from local quarries. Many stonemasons who worked on the barracks were free settlers.
As soldiers and their families moved in, shops followed. Between 1860 and 1890, builders constructed about 3,800 houses. These unique terraced homes give Paddington its special look today. The first school opened in 1845 in a church building on Oxford Street.
Today, Paddington is very popular. Its close location to the city attracts business and professional people. The shopping area on Oxford Street has also changed. It now has many cafes, specialty shops, and boutiques. The famous Paddington Markets, which started in the 1970s, bring visitors from all over. This has helped make Paddington a favorite tourist spot in Sydney.
The Story of Engehurst House
Engehurst is located in the Rushcutters Bay Valley. In the mid-1800s, this area was known for large, fancy "mansion villas." These homes were designed by architects for wealthy families. The land where Engehurst stands was part of a seven-acre land grant.
Architect John Verge designed Engehurst for Frederick Augustus Hely. Hely was the Principal Superintendent of Convicts. The house was built between 1834 and 1835. It was constructed using the labor of convicts.
Hely was in charge of convicts from 1823 until he died in 1836. He bought the land for Engehurst in 1833. The kitchen and servant's wings of the house were built first. Hely moved into these parts in 1835.
Original plans for Engehurst were very grand. They included a large two-story main house. However, Hely died in 1836 before the house was fully completed. It's not certain if the grand design was ever finished.
After Hely's death, the property was described as a "good large stone cottage with stables, gardener's house, out officers, garden, etc." In 1868, the Hely family sold Engehurst to John Elly Begg.
Begg, a local council member, built another mansion nearby called Olive Bank in 1869. In 1878, John Begg divided his property into smaller lots. He also demolished most of Engehurst to create a new street. It's believed that stone from the demolished parts was used to build a section of the first floor. The servant's quarters were not destroyed but were soon surrounded by new buildings.
The remaining part of Engehurst stayed as a single home for a while. Then, in the 1920s, it was divided into flats. It was first called Silsoe Flats, then later Craigieburn Flats. Engehurst is important because it shows the type of development common in the early 1800s. It also has connections to many important local people.
What Engehurst Looks Like
The site of Engehurst was originally part of a seven-acre land grant.
The House's Design
The building has a simple but elegant look. It is a two or three-story stone house built in the Victorian Georgian style. This style was popular in the 1800s.
The part of the house facing Ormond Street has a gabled roof. A gable is the triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof. It has decorative timber boards and a screen. The walls are made of stone covered with a smooth finish. They also have a decorative band of stucco below the roof.
The windows on the eastern side are placed in different spots. They are made of timber with many small glass panes. The main entrance is at the southern end. It has a door with many panes of glass and windows above and to the sides. A small porch with a gabled roof is supported by timber posts.
The northern side of the house has a flat wall called a parapet. It features classic details like stone pilasters. These are flat, column-like shapes that stick out from the wall. They support decorative horizontal sections called entablatures. The lower part of the wall shows bare sandstone, while the upper part is smooth and lined.
There is a three-story timber addition on the north-eastern corner. It has a gabled roof with metal sheeting. This addition has exposed timber frames and panels. The windows are multi-paned.
A plaque on the building says: "Engehurst 1835 Facade of John Verge's Georgian Mansion built for Augustus Hely."
How Well is Engehurst Preserved?
As of 2013, the building's simple front still looks much like its original design. The house has potential for more research into its history. It also likely holds archaeological secrets because it has been there for so long.
Changes Made Over Time
Two three-story brick apartment buildings are located next to Engehurst. The house itself has had several changes. In 1972, a new concrete block wall replaced an old fence and retaining wall at the back. In 1983, the outdoor metal stairs were renovated.
More changes happened in 1987. These included updating bathrooms and kitchens. The back balcony was restored, and new laundry areas were built in hallways. New internal stairs were also added. During this time, old parts of the building were repaired, including woodwork, surfaces, and finishes, and some repainting was done.
Engehurst's Heritage Status
Engehurst was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This listing helps protect its historical importance for future generations.
