House "Darling House" (8-12 Trinity Avenue) including interior

Item details


Name of item:	House "Darling House" (8-12 Trinity Avenue) including interior
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	House
Location:	Lat: -33.8591433462366 Long: 151.205533941266
Primary address:	24-42 Lower Fort Street, Dawes Point, NSW 2000
Local govt. area:	Sydney

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
24-42 Lower Fort Street	Dawes Point	Sydney			Primary Address
8-12 Trinity Avenue	Millers Point	Sydney			Alternate Address

Statement of significance:


	Darling House, constructed c.1842-44, has historical, aesthetic and social significance. The building represents one of the earlier phases of local development and the impact of development of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the area, and despite having been modified over time, Darling House is still representative of the Victorian Regency style. Early modifications (c. 1860) to the building, including the addition of a cantilevered Victorian verandah, are considered to be representative of a specific architectural response to local environmental conditions and a deliberate departure from traditional, earlier architectural styles brought over from England. Similar modifications that were undertaken around the same time have been noted at other local properties (such as 53-55 Kent Street and 52-64 Argyle Place). Darling House is also associated with local businessman Joseph Farris, which was purpose built for him as an investment property with the intent to provide residential accommodation to the growing local population as was common in the precinct, and formed part of his wider portfolio.
	Date significance updated: 19 Aug 16
	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


Construction years:	1842-1860
Physical description:	The site contains an 1842 Victorian Regency style sandstone villa, Darling House, and c1994 additions to the rear with a detached wing to the south. Darling House is a two storey sandstone building which was originally constructed in the Victorian Regency style. In the 1860s a cantilevered, decorative Victorian style verandah was added to the first floor of the principal façade was added in the 1860s. The verandah features a cast-iron balustrade and columns as well as a concave roof of galvanised corrugated iron sheeting. Associated with this verandah was the conversion of the first floor windows into French doors. Although the building was extensively renovated in the early 1990s, with all original joinery having been replaced, extensive internal alterations having been undertaken, and some openings modified, it is still generally typical of this style. All new joinery and external architectural features have been sympathetically designed to reflect the original appearance of the building. The general landscape has been severely modified through the excavation of the escarpment to the rear (east). The front yard features a driveway along the northern boundary and a garden bound by a palisade fence on a rendered masonry base with piers. The landscaping and planting on the site is generally contemporary. To the rear and south of ‘Darling House’ is a c1994 "L" shaped two storey contemporary addition. It is of brick construction and clearly distinguishable as new work and connected to ‘Darling House’ via a glazed link the rear. A timber deck currently wraps around the south - southwest corner of the contemporary addition at first floor level.
Modifications and dates:	1994 - Saved from demolition and extensively restored and reconstructed as an aged care facility after a campaign of community action. Additions to the rear and to the south of the house were constructed at the same time.
Further information:	Heritage Inventory sheets are often not comprehensive, and should be regarded as a general guide only. Inventory sheets are based on information available, and often do not include the social history of sites and buildings. Inventory sheets are constantly updated by the City as further information becomes available. An inventory sheet with little information may simply indicate that there has been no building work done to the item recently: it does not mean that items are not significant. Further research is always recommended as part of preparation of development proposals for heritage items, and is necessary in preparation of Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Management Plans, so that the significance of heritage items can be fully assessed prior to submitting development applications.


Current use:	Nursing Home
Former use:	Residential

History

Historical notes:

Historical Overview ( Based on CMG Guidelines 2004)

This site forms part of the land of the Gadigal people, the traditional custodians of land within the City of Sydney council boundaries. For information about the Aboriginal history of the local area see the City’s Barani website: http://www.sydneybarani.com.au/

Allotment 11 was originally granted to Michael Gannon, a builder, in 1840 but Gannon admitted that, at the time the grant was made, the land was the property of Joseph Faris and the grant should have been made out to him. In October 1842 he formally conveyed the land to Faris for the nominal sum of 5s (Bk 6 No 362). It seems likely that work began on the house, shown in Conrad Martens’ picture dated February 1843, when ownership of the land had been sorted out.

Joseph Farris who was a noted local businessman. Farris was active in local businesses, including real estate, owning property in Windmill Street. and a boat building business associated with the historic maritime character of the area, as well as the operation of local pubs including the New York Hotel at the corner of George and Argyle Street. Although ‘Darling House’ was not occupied by the Farris family, it was specifically developed by Joseph Farris in response to the growth of the local area, with the intent to provide residential accommodation to the growing local population as is common in the precinct, and formed part of his wider portfolio.

In 1844 James Robert Hill was living at Darling House, Fort Street and in 1845 the house was described as being of stone with two floors and eight rooms, kitchen and large yard.

When resumed in 1900 the property was owned by Elizabeth Sarah Faris.

Darling House was saved from demolition and extensively restored and reconstructed as an aged care facility in 1994 after a campaign of community action. A rear addition and new detached wing to the south of the house was built to to the design of Tanner Architects at that time.

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.	Residential-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Darling House is significant in that in represents one of the earlier phases of development of the Millers Point/Dawes Point Precinct. It was built during the 1840s when the precinct grew rapidly, with a sharp increase in housing stock and general development. The site also provides evidence of the impact of the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the area particularly evident with the changes to the rear of the site and former Caraher stairs (some remnants survive on the site).
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The subject site is associated with the Farris family, and particularly Joseph Farris who was a noted local businessman. Farris was active in local businesses, including real estate and a boat building business associated with the historic maritime character of the area, as well as the operation of local pubs. Although ‘Darling House’ was not occupied by the Farris family, it was specifically developed by Joseph Farris in response to the growth of the local area, with the intent to provide residential accommodation to the growing local population as was common in the precinct, and formed part of his wider portfolio.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Darling House is of aesthetic significance for its contribution to the character and architecture of the Millers Point and Dawes Point Precinct. It is externally a fine example of a free-standing, Victorian Regency style building, which is characteristic of the local area and period. Although highly modified internally and refurbished externally, the building retains its principal façade and overall form. The reinstatement of the early addition Victorian verandah to the principal façade appropriately interprets early modifications to the building, which were undertaken to improve amenity for early tenants in the 1860s. The replacement of all joinery is considered to be sympathetic, and has not resulted in an adverse impact on the overall aesthetic significance of the building.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Darling House, as part of a group of 19th and early 20th century buildings, within the area is held in high esteem by the local Miller Point/ Dawes Point community as well as the wider NSW community.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	As part of the wider Millers Point/Dawes Point Precinct, ‘Darling House’ is representative of one of the earlier phases of local development, as well as the sharp growth of the suburb in the 1840s. Although it has been significantly modified, ‘Darling House’ is still generally representative of the Victorian Regency style.
Integrity/Intactness:	Externally - moderate; Internally - low
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:

Darling House should be retained and conserved. A Heritage Assessment and Heritage Impact Statement, should be prepared for the site prior to any major works being undertaken. All works to the site should be in accordance with the CMP which has been endorsed by the NSW Heritage Council. There are to be no alterations to the façade of Darling House other than to reinstate original features. The external face of the sandstone walls of Darling House are not to be rendered, painted or coated.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012	I549	14 Dec 12
Local Environmental Plan	Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2005	389	09 Dec 05	154	139
Heritage study

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Conservation Management Guidelines NSW Dept of Housing Properties Millers Point	2004		NSW Department of Housing		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Anita Heiss		Aboriginal People and Place, Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City	View detail
Written	Design 5 Architects	2016	Heritage Impact Statement: Darling House
Written	URBIS	2016	Conservation Managerment Plan; Darling House: 8-12 Trinity Avenue Dawes Point

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:	2423654

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