Juniper Hall, Paddington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Juniper Hall, Paddington |
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Juniper Hall, in Paddington, Sydney
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| Alternative names | Ormond House |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Victorian Georgian |
| Location | 1 Ormond Street, Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°53′05″S 151°13′36″E / 33.8847°S 151.2268°E |
| Completed | 1824–1825 |
| Renovated | 1988 |
| Design and construction | |
| Developer | Robert Cooper |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Clive Lucas |
| Renovating firm | Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners |
| Official name | Juniper Hall; Ormond House |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Criteria | a., c., d., e., f. |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 00268 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | Robert Cooper |
Juniper Hall, also known as Ormond House, is a historic building in Paddington, Sydney, Australia. It was built between 1824 and 1825 by a businessman named Robert Cooper. This two-storey house is designed in the Old Colonial Georgian style. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, meaning it's an important part of the state's history.
Juniper Hall was first the home of Robert Cooper. He is believed to have designed the house himself. It included a cellar and an attic. Unlike many Georgian homes, it has an upstairs balcony facing Oxford Street. For a long time, the house was hidden behind other buildings. In 1988, the National Trust of Australia restored it. They removed the buildings in front so Juniper Hall could be seen again. Today, Juniper Hall is used for art exhibitions, including the annual Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.
History of Juniper Hall
Paddington: A Sydney Suburb
Paddington is a suburb in Sydney, named after a London area. It started as open fields near Victoria Barracks. Unlike other early Sydney suburbs, people living here often worked elsewhere. Wealthy homes surrounded Paddington, so it didn't have harbour views.
The area grew after a road was built to Watsons Bay. In 1838, a new military barracks was planned for Paddington. This brought more life to the area. By 1848, Victoria Barracks was open. Homes for soldiers and their families were built. Between 1860 and 1890, about 3,800 terrace houses were built. These houses give Paddington its unique look today.
Now, Paddington is popular with business people. Its shops, cafes, and boutiques attract many visitors. The Paddington Markets, which started in the 1970s, also draw crowds. Paddington is now a favourite tourist spot in Sydney.
Robert Cooper and Juniper Hall
It's hard to imagine that in 1822, Juniper Hall stood alone. It was surrounded by gardens with views of Rushcutters Bay and Botany Bay. Robert Cooper, a successful businessman, built Juniper Hall. He and his partners received a large piece of land in Paddington around 1818. They planned to build three large houses and a factory. However, only Juniper Hall was built.
Robert Cooper (1776-1857) had an interesting life. He was a builder and a wealthy London business owner. He arrived in New South Wales in 1813. By 1818, he was ready to settle down. He partnered with two other businessmen. With his third wife, Sarah May, he built a large house for their many children. He had 14 children from his first two marriages. He would have 14 more with Sarah.
Cooper built a two-storey Victorian Georgian house with a basement. Each floor had four large rooms. The kitchen was in the basement. At the back, there were stables and servants' quarters. The house was built on a ridge, offering views of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. He named it Juniper Hall, after a berry used in drinks he used to make.
In 1831, Cooper and his family moved to England. They rented the house to John Kinchela, a lawyer. Kinchela renamed the house "Ormonde Hall" after his patron. The Cooper family returned in 1838 and moved back in. The street next to the house is still called Ormond Street today.
Cooper faced financial difficulties in the 1840s. In 1849, he had to leave his house. He mortgaged Ormond House for £1,900.
Ormond House: A Place for Children
After the Coopers left, the house was renamed "Ormond House." It was used for many different purposes. It was even a private school for girls. In 1852, Ormond House was leased to a society that helped children in need. Up to 130 children lived there during this time. In 1858, the children's home moved to a new building in Randwick.
From 1858 to 1884, different people rented Ormond House. Robert Cooper died in 1857. His wife, Sarah Cooper, moved back in for a few years. After she died in 1863, the house was leased to various charities and schools. These included the NSW Institution for the Deaf and Dumb (1868–72) and a ladies' college (1873–79).
In 1884, the NSW Government leased Ormond House. It became a "receiving house" for children needing foster care. The government bought the property in 1885 for £5,800. In 1891 and 1892, large additions were made to the house. These extensions were used as a probation office and the first Children's Court in NSW until 1911.
Saving Juniper Hall
In 1921, a shoe manufacturer bought Juniper Hall. He planned to knock it down and build apartments and shops. But there was a big public outcry! So, he changed his mind. He turned the house into flats and built shops in front of it, covering the garden.
After the owner went bankrupt, a Melbourne company bought the property. An employee, Elizabeth Randall, became a strong defender of the house. She worked hard to protect it from damage and neglect. Community groups like the Paddington Society also campaigned to save Juniper Hall. In 1981, the property was given temporary protection.
In 1984, the State Government gave $750,000 to the National Trust of Australia. This money helped buy and restore Juniper Hall. The Trust restoration project demolished the shops that were hiding the house. The house was fully restored by 1988. It was then used for reception rooms, offices, and gallery space.
The Gardens of Juniper Hall
The front garden of Juniper Hall was brought back to life. The goal was to make it look like it did around 1900. Volunteers from the National Trust of Australia (NSW) worked hard on this project. They raised over $100,000 to pay for the work.
The fence around the garden was rebuilt. Old building rubble was removed from the site. New soil was brought in from Canberra. The garden was finished in just two weeks in January 1988. This was just in time for the Australian Bicentenary celebrations.
Old photographs of "Ormond House" helped show what the garden looked like. They showed that the western part of the garden was simple. It was likely used as the entrance for children and the public. The eastern part, used by the Superintendent, was more decorative. These differences were kept when the garden was recreated.
Plants were chosen based on old photographs and nursery catalogues from that time. Some plants were changed for practical reasons. For example, a large Moreton Bay fig tree was replaced with a Magnolia tree. This was because the fig tree would grow too big for the smaller space. Yuccas were also replaced with Kaffir lilies. This was because yuccas have sharp leaves and many people would be walking through the garden.
The front garden was divided into two sections by a picket fence. This was how it looked when it was a children's home. The western garden was designed as a public garden in the Victorian style. It has a path leading to the front door, with flower beds on each side. Popular plants of the time, like Agapanthus, foxgloves, and chrysanthemums, were planted here.
The eastern garden, which was the superintendent's garden, was also recreated. It has a circular flower bed in the centre. Paths lead from the gate around this bed to the front door. This bed was edged with English box and filled with periwinkle. Shrubs like lavender, Camellia, and Port wine magnolia were planted here.
Since 1989, volunteers and a paid gardener have maintained the garden. They have raised funds and received plant donations. This has helped the garden stay beautiful and varied.
Juniper Hall Today
In 2012, the Moran family bought Juniper Hall for $4.551 million. The family plans to restore the house. They want it to be the home of the Moran prizes. These prizes are sponsored by the Moran Arts Foundation. The ground floor rooms are now used for art and photography exhibitions. These exhibitions are open to the public most days. The first floor and attics are planned to be a private home for family members.
The Moran family has a history of restoring old properties in Australia. They are also direct descendants of Robert and Sarah Cooper. This means they are connected to the original builders and owners of Juniper Hall. The family is very keen to preserve Juniper Hall. They want to restore it to its original beauty. Peter Moran, CEO of the Moran Arts Foundation, said they are happy to continue helping preserve Australia's important properties.
What Juniper Hall Looks Like
The House's Location
Juniper Hall sits on top of the Oxford Street ridge. This high position gives it wide views. You can see across Sydney Harbour to the north. You can also see Botany Bay to the south.
The House Itself
Juniper Hall is a large two-storey Georgian house. It has a double front door in the middle. On each side of the door, there are two large windows. The front door and windows are still original. The window shutters are also still there. Above the front door is a fanlight, which is typical of Georgian style.
Inside, the house has cedar bannisters. These lead up to the attic floor. Much of the original wooden features have been painted. The house is built on a sandstone ridge. It has a large cellar and kitchen below. The original house design is still clear.
When it was built, Juniper Hall had 8 rooms. It also had a water closet, a large cellar, a veranda, and a balcony. Outside, there were stables, a kitchen, a laundry, and servants' quarters. The walls are made of brick covered in stucco. The base is made of local sandstone. The windows have small panes and are flanked by shutters. The simple but elegant portico is still there.
Condition of the Building
As of 2000, Juniper Hall was in good physical condition. Most of the building is still original and has not been changed much.
Changes Over Time
Juniper Hall has seen several changes:
- Around 1818: A large estate of 100 acres was granted.
- Around 1824: The house was completed.
- 1830s: Some "fashionable improvements" were made to the house.
- 1852–58: It was used as a children's home and court.
- 1921: A row of six shops was built along Oxford Street. This destroyed the front garden. The house was also converted into flats.
- 1980s: The row of shops built in the 1920s was demolished.
- 1987–88: The garden and grounds were restored using old photographs and research. The house was also restored for new uses.
Heritage Significance
Juniper Hall is a very old house, built around 1824–25. It is special because it was built by Robert Cooper, a businessman who faced challenges in his early life. Most of the original parts of the house, including the woodwork, are still intact. This shows how new styles in the 1830s affected older houses.
Juniper Hall has always been an important part of Paddington. It has a significant role in the town's history. Since 1921, people in the community have worked to prevent it from being knocked down.
Juniper Hall, Paddington, was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it meets certain important criteria.
It shows the history of New South Wales. Juniper Hall is one of the earliest homes east of Sydney. It is probably Australia's oldest surviving suburban villa. It shows the life and dreams of Robert Cooper. The building also played an important role as a children's home. It is linked to the history of child welfare in Sydney. It also has connections with Attorney General John Kinchela.
It shows great design and creative achievement. Most of the house, including its wooden features, is still intact from the early 1800s. It shows how new styles in the mid-1840s influenced older homes. It is a landmark in Paddington. It was built before the suburb was divided into many smaller lots for terrace houses. Along with the nearby Town Hall and Post Office, Juniper Hall forms an important civic area. Later additions to the building in the late 1800s were built to match the original house.
It has a strong connection with the community. In the 20th century, the local community valued Juniper Hall greatly. This was a key reason why it was saved from being demolished.
It can help us learn about history. The inside of the house can help us understand its history and the people who lived there.
It is rare or uncommon. It is rare among surviving homes from that time because it was built by a businessman with a challenging past.
