Terrace, including interiors

Item details


Name of item:	Terrace, including interiors
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	Town House
Primary address:	50 Glassop Street, Balmain, NSW 2041
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Inner West

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
50 Glassop Street	Balmain	Inner West		Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	No 50 Glassop Street, Balmain has historic and aesthetic significance as part of a fine and largely intact example of a c. 1890s, free standing row of residential terraces constructed in the Federation style. Despite some alterations, the building retains most of its original form and character particularly its colonnaded arched verandah and balcony above with its associated details and openings. Together with Nos. 54-44 the building makes a positive contribution to the Glassop Street streetscape. Note: This inventory sheet is not intended to be a definitive study of the heritage item, therefore information may not be accurate and complete. The information should be regarded as a general guide. Further research is always recommended as part of the preparation of development proposals for heritage items.
	Date significance updated: 27 Jun 11
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Physical description:	No. 50 Glassop Street is located on the southern side of the street. Nos. 54-44 Glassop Street is a row of six two storey semi-detached Federation style residential terraces. The row has a high stone base with steps leading up to the entry level. Each terrace is constructed on a stone base with red face brickwork and bands of contrasting brickwork on the piers, arches, lintels and sills. The ground floor has a colonaded verandah with a timber balustrade. The first floor balcony has turned timber balustrade, frieze and square posts. The main roof of each terrace is a hipped terracotta tile roof with a lower pitched tiled roof over the balcony. Nos. 54, 50 and 46 have a small gable end at the centre of the balcony roof. There are rendered chimneys on Nos. 52, 50, 48, The ground floor façade consists of a wide timber and glass panelled door with arched highlight over to one side with a large arched opening containing three double hung windows with arched heads. The first floor façade consists of two sets of French doors with highlight over. A high stone wall runs along the front boundary. Stone stairs lead up to the entry with a wrought iron balustrade on top of the stone wall at the first landing and continuing continuing up to the front entry verandah. There is a small garden at the front with a few trees and shrubs. A large vine covers the lower ground stone wall and covers parts of the ground floor colonnaded verandah. To the rear of the main row, and running at right angles to it, is a two storey rendered and painted wing with a hipped terracotta tiled roof. There is small verandah and balcony also. The rear elevation of the terrace faces a laneway with a high brick wall with arched entrances.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Very Good.
	Date condition updated:21 Dec 10
Modifications and dates:	1971 - Alterations kitchen/bathroom/toilet. (10602) 1986 - Alterations. (BA/1986/843) 1987 - Dwelling house alterations, rear and internal) (DA/1986/529) 1993 - Alterations. (BA/1993/447)


Current use:	Residence
Former use:	Residence

History

Historical notes:

Surgeon William Balmain was granted 550 acres and most of the area now encompassing Balmain in 1800. In 1801 the entire grant was transferred to fellow surgeon John Gilchrist. Gilchrist never actually lived in NSW and advertised the land for sale in 1823. However, the sale was not a success. He gave power of attorney to his Sydney-based agent and merchant, Frank Parbury, who commissioned Surveyor John Armstrong to subdivide part of the land. This subdivision and sale of this land took place in 1836 and commenced from the eastern end of the suburb (East Balmain) due to its proximity and convenient water access and later spread west. The early subdivision was, however, suspended in 1841 due to difficulties associated with Gilchrist’s will, but was resumed in 1852 when Surveyor Langley divided it into 46 later 47 sections. Langley used existing routes such as Darling Street and other tracks such as Beattie and Mullens Streets, which followed the local topography and contours, to delineate the parcels. The sections were purchased over the next 30 years by wealthy investors, local speculators and builders. The site is located in Lot 38 of the 1852 subdivision.

Some alterations and additions occurred in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Growth of Balmain-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The site is of local historic significance as part of an early subdivision in the local area. The building is significant as a fine example of an original two storey Federation style terrace constructed in c. 1890s.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The building is of local aesthetic significance as part of a fine representative example of a row of two storey Federation style terraces. Despite alterations, the building retains most of its original form and character particularly its colonnaded arched verandah and balcony above with its associated details and openings. Together with Nos. 54-44 the building makes a positive contribution to the Glassop Street streetscape.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The building is an excellent representative example of a two storey Federation style terrace.
Integrity/Intactness:	High
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

It is recommended that: - the existing two storey scale, character and detail of the building including facebrick front facade and details, colonnaded front verandah and balcony above with associated decorative elements, roof form and chimneys and pattern of openings should be retained and conserved; - no new openings should be made in the street facing facades; - the verandah and balcony should remain open and elements repaired and replaced to match as required; - any further works could include the removal of the vines on the lower ground stone wall and ground floor colonnaded verandah. Other alterations and additions should be confined to the rear of the building and not detract from the original form and character of the building and main roof form as it presents to Glassop Street.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan 2013	I234	23 Dec 13

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Leichhardt Municipality Heritage Study	1990		McDonald McPhee Pty Ltd (Craig Burton, Wendy Thorp)		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Max Solling and Peter Reynolds	1997	Leichhardt: On the Margins of the City

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	1940249

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