Hastings (Neutral Bay) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hastings |
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Hastings, pictured in 2012.
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| Location | 2 Hayes Street, Neutral Bay, North Sydney Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1830–1913 |
| Architect | Edward Jeaffreson Jackson (1913 house) |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Arts and Crafts |
| Official name: Hastings; Thrupp's Cottage; Craignathan; The Hastings; Milton | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 567 |
| Type | Other - Residential Buildings (private) |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Hastings is a special historic building in Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a big house, but now it's split into several homes. The main house was built around 1913 and is thought to be designed by Edward Jeaffreson Jackson. But the site itself has a much longer history, going back to 1830! Over the years, Hastings has been known by different names like Thrupp's Cottage and Craignathan. It's a privately owned building and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999 because of its important history.
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A Look Back at Hastings
The land where Hastings stands has a very long and interesting past. It's connected to early Australian industries like whaling. Important pioneers such as Alfred Thrupp, John McLaren, and Benjamin Boyd also played a role here.
The Hastings house itself shows the building boom of the early 1900s. This was when Neutral Bay became known for its beautiful Federation style homes. Being right on the waterfront, Hastings was like a grand entrance to this important suburb. It was likely one of the first large Federation-style houses built on the northern side of Sydney Harbour.
Early Structures and Relics
The site of Hastings holds clues to even older buildings. There's a stone wall that might be from "Thrupp's Cottage" or "Craignathan," both important early houses from the 1830s.
Within the grounds, you can find several old remains, including:
- stone stairs that once led to Thrupp's Cottage, which might be the oldest building on the North Shore;
- parts of a wool store built around 1831 and taken down in 1884;
- pieces of a water reservoir and pipes built before 1842;
- the cellar walls of Craignathan, one of the first formal houses on the North Shore.
These historic relics on the Hastings site show its cultural importance. They tell us about early life and industries in the area.
The Main House (1904-1913)
The main building, "Hastings," was designed by architect E. Jefferson Jackson. It was built around 1904 and used as a boarding house for many years until 1956. Then, the Australian government bought it for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to use as a headquarters.
When the RAAF took over, Hastings was changed a lot inside to fit its new military purpose. Walls were moved, doors were blocked, and new ones were made. A new entrance was even added for the RAAF Chiefs of Staff.
In the late 1980s, the government sold the property. In 1988, plans were approved to turn Hastings into three separate apartments. Later, in 2008, more changes were approved, like adding a lift and extending rooms. Even with all these changes, Hastings still looks like a great example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style.
What Hastings Looks Like
Hastings is a very noticeable building on the northern side of Sydney Harbour. It greets people arriving by ferry at Hayes Street Wharf and adds to the beautiful view of the harbour. It's part of a group of large, fine houses in the area.
The House's Style
Hastings is a two-storey brick house with attic rooms under a roof made of many terracotta tiles. The upper floor has a rough, textured finish, and there's a square tower with a castle-like top. You can see special windows that stick out (called oriel windows), wooden shingles on the ends of the roof, and decorative window frames. There are also grand arched brick verandah entries and wooden slat balustrades on the upper verandahs.
It's a great example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style. This style often has an uneven look and a steep roof with deep gables. The mix of brick, textured walls, and shingles gives the building different textures and colours. The bay windows and detailed woodwork add more interest and beauty to the building.
Even though Hastings has been changed a lot over the years, it still looks like a wonderful example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style. The changes made in the 1980s were done carefully to keep the unique look of the building.
Condition and Changes
The site still shows signs of its earlier history, like stone steps from Thrupp's Cottage (possibly the oldest home on the North Shore). There are also remains of a wool store from around 1831, a water reservoir from about 1842, and the stone cellar walls of Craignathan.
The inside of the building has been changed a lot to create three apartments. This means there isn't much physical evidence left of its time as a boarding house or as the RAAF headquarters. However, the impressive look of its outside in this important location helps to remember its past and the history of buildings along Sydney Harbour.
- 1956: The Australian Department of Defence bought Hastings for the RAAF. Many changes were made inside to create Unit 3, and a new entrance was added.
- Late 1980s: The government sold the property.
- October 1988: Plans were approved to turn Hastings into three apartments.
Unit 1 inside still has some of its original decorations, like plaster ceiling roses and fancy woodwork.
Heritage Status
Hastings was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's recognized as an important historical site that needs to be protected.
