Reussdale facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reussdale
Adjacent church (left) and Reussdale (right)
Location	160 Bridge Road, Glebe, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1868–1870
Architect	Ferdinand Reuss
Architectural style(s)	Italianate Free Gothic
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Reussdale; former Presbyterian Manse
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	292
Type	Presbytery/Rectory/ Vicarage/Manse
Category	Religion
Builders	Ferdinand Reuss
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Reussdale is a special old building in Glebe, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It used to be a private home but is now used for events. This building is important because it is "heritage-listed," meaning it's protected for its historical value.

Reussdale was designed and built by a man named Ferdinand Reuss between 1868 and 1870. It was also known as the Presbyterian Manse, which is a home for a church minister. The building is privately owned today. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.

Experts think Reussdale might be one of the earliest examples of "High Victorian" architecture in Glebe. This style mixes ideas from Italianate and Free Gothic designs.

A Look Back: The History of Reussdale

How Glebe Grew Over Time

The area around Glebe was first home to the Wangal clan of Aboriginal people. After Europeans arrived in 1788, many Aboriginal people became sick or lost their hunting lands. This caused their numbers to drop, and they moved further away.

The first official land given out in Glebe was a large area of 400 acres (about 160 hectares). This land was given to Rev. Richard Johnson, who was the first chaplain (church minister) in the colony. This land was called a "Glebe" because it was meant to support a church minister.

The land had rolling hills and creeks, with swamps near the water. Early settlers hunted kangaroos and emus here. The area was known for its blackwattle trees, which gave Blackwattle Bay its name.

For a long time, the land stayed mostly undeveloped. In 1828, the Church and School Corporation divided it into smaller lots. Some wealthy people built fancy houses near the water, enjoying the sea breezes. Other areas became home to industries like slaughterhouses, with smaller houses for working-class families nearby.

In 1859, Glebe became its own municipality (a local government area). Over time, the area changed. In the early 1900s, some large houses were divided into boarding houses. Wealthier families moved to new suburbs as railways made travel easier. By the 1960s, Sydney became more focused on office jobs than factory work. This led to younger professionals wanting to live closer to the city.

The Story of Ferdinand Reuss and Reussdale

Ferdinand Reuss (1821–1896) was an important architect, builder, and surveyor in Sydney. He trained as an engineer and even worked on a railway in New York before coming to Australia in 1851 during the gold rush.

He soon moved to Sydney and started his own architecture business. By the 1860s, he bought land in Glebe and built several cottages. He rented most of these out.

On one side of Bridge Road, he built a few houses:

• The Hermitage (154 Bridge Road), where he lived until he died.
• Hamilton (156 Bridge Road), named after a distant relative.
• Alma Villa (158 Bridge Road), which was later pulled down by the Presbyterian Church.
• Reussdale (160 Bridge Road), the building we are learning about.

Reussdale was finished by 1871, but it was likely built in the late 1860s. Ferdinand Reuss passed away in 1896.

In 1927, the Presbyterian Church moved their church building to this site. They took down Alma Villa to make space. Over the years, some of the buildings fell into disrepair. For example, The Abbey (the former church) had fires and was empty for a while.

In the late 1970s, The Abbey was bought and turned into a restaurant and event center. However, this business also ended around 2003, and the buildings again became run down.

Around 2010, new owners became interested in these historic buildings. Reussdale was carefully restored and sold as a home. The old church was also fixed up. Sadly, Hamilton had become too damaged and was pulled down.

What Reussdale Looks Like

Reussdale is located on the south side of Bridge Road in Glebe. It's a large property with plenty of garden space in front of the buildings.

The site has three main buildings:

• Reussdale: This is a two-story Victorian Gothic Revival house built around 1870. It was designed by Ferdinand Reuss. It was in poor shape for a while due to a fire and lack of care. The roof was replaced in 1996.
• The Abbey: This used to be a Presbyterian Church. It was first built in 1876 at a different location. It was then taken apart and rebuilt here in 1927-1928. From 1979 to about 2003, it was used as a restaurant and event center.
• Hamilton Cottage: This was a single-story brick cottage built in the 1870s by F. Reuss. It was later used as a community hall. It is also in poor condition, with its inside greatly changed.

The Setting of Reussdale

The buildings are set back from Bridge Road, meaning they are not right on the street. The Abbey is closest to the road, and Reussdale is furthest back. This gives the buildings a grand feeling.

There is a stone fence along the front of the property with iron gates. While most of the original gardens are gone, some of the large trees on the property are very old. These trees add to the old-fashioned, "Gothic" look of the main front of the house.

Details of Reussdale's Design

Reussdale was built with an interesting, uneven design. It has a tower above the entrance. The back and side walls are smooth, but the front of the house is made of exposed, apricot-brown bricks with tiny specks of crushed coal. This brickwork is quite unusual for the time.

The house also has a unique triangular bay window. The decorations around the windows and doors are very detailed. The stone pieces above the windows (called lintels) look like curved arches. They rest on decorative supports called corbels.

The verandah posts are made of wood with fancy carved wooden brackets. The pointed parts of the roof (called gables) are also carved beautifully. The top of the tower has a special pattern of glass bricks. All these details show that Reuss was very interested in how bricks were laid and decorated. Reussdale is thought to be one of the first "High Victorian" homes in Glebe.

Plants and Trees Around Reussdale

The property has many mature trees, some of which are very old. These include:

• Nettle trees (Celtis sinensis)
• Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora)
• Brush box (Lophostemon confertus)
• Leaning palm (Washingtonia robusta)
• Lord Howe Island palm (Kentia fosteriana)

Other trees that might have been planted later include:

• Queensland kauri (Agathis robusta)
• Jacaranda (J. mimosaefolia)
• Hill's weeping fig (Ficus x hillii)
• Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)
• Bay tree (Laurus nobilis)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander)
• Wattle (Acacia sp.)
• Cocos Island or Queen palms (Syragus romanzoffianum)

Condition and Changes Over Time

As of 2004, the building was still strong, but its inside was in very poor condition. There was a large hole in the roof, causing water damage. Much of the plaster on the walls was ruined. However, the building could still be saved, and most changes made over the years could be undone.

Here are some of the changes and events:

• 1927: The Presbyterian Church moved its dismantled church building to the site.
• 1960s: A fire damaged the roof and ceilings of The Abbey.
• 1977-1978: The Abbey was turned into a restaurant, and a car park was built behind it.
• 1996: Reussdale got a new corrugated iron roof and new timber decorations.

Why Reussdale is Important

Reussdale is considered very important because it might be the earliest example of "High Victorian" architecture in Glebe, built around 1868 by Ferdinand Reuss. It is one of the most interesting and original "Victorian picturesque Gothic" style houses still standing in Glebe.

It is special because it shows the work of Ferdinand Reuss, who was an active architect and builder in Sydney. Reussdale is part of a group of buildings that Reuss developed on Bridge Road. These buildings look good together and share a history with Reuss.

Reussdale is one of the most impressive buildings from its time. Even with some damage and later additions, its main structure is still mostly original. It's interesting because it combines both Picturesque Gothic and Italianate styles. The building uses the best materials available at the time and has very detailed decorations. The unique apricot-brown brickwork, the pointed bay window, and the excellent stone and timber details are especially notable.

The way Reussdale sits among its neighbors also adds to its charm. The buildings are set far back from the street, giving them a grand appearance. These deep setbacks and the large trees around the property create a perfect setting for such a magnificent building. Some of the trees on the site are very old, possibly dating back to when the house was first built.

This group of Victorian houses, with their varied styles by the same architect, and their large, mature gardens, along with the former church, create a lovely and charming area in Glebe.

Reussdale was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.

Images for kids

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  Adjacent church (left) and Reussdale (right)