"The Hermitage"

Item details


Name of item:	"The Hermitage"
Type of item:	Built
Primary address:	22 Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse, NSW 2030
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Woollahra

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
22 Vaucluse Road	Vaucluse	Woollahra	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	A romantic and exceptional example of a Victorian Gothic mansion, which despite numerous alterations retains much of its early charm thanks to the skill of Architect E. Sodersten. Its location above Hermit Bay is particularly attractive and it must rank as one of Sydney's most important harbourside villas of the late Victorian era.
	Date significance updated: 16 Aug 19
	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


Designer/Maker:	Alexander Dick (1840 house); Edward Mason Hunt (1870-1878 works); Emil Sodersten (1936 works)
Construction years:	1840-1936
Physical description:	A large Victorian Gothic mansion created sometime between 1870 and 1878 by Edward Mason Hunt. It was built using sandstone around a smaller house which was originally constructed c. 1840 by Alexander Dick, one of the first subdivisions of the William Charles Wentworth land grant. It was later owned by R. Little, Piers Hatton and G. Dixon until bought by D.M. McCathie in 1914. In 1936 it was partially destroyed by fire and restored and reconstructed to the designs of Architect Emil Sodersten. In 1959 it was bought by Mr. J. Boyce, in 1963 by Sir Theo Kelly and in 1973 by Mr. R. Baker. It is a picturesque 2 storey composition having a complete roof form of multiple steeply pitched gables and a 3 storey castellated tower. There are a number of sitting rooms, 9 bedrrooms, drawing rooms, servants quarters and a large dining hall of excellent neo Gothic detail complete with stained glass windows by Sodersten. Original stonework was by Italian masons, all joinery cedar and roof of shingle but now tiled. There is a profusion of fine and elaborate fretwork to barge boards, verandahs and balconies whilst the later lead light windows are in the Art Nouveau Style. A modern wing was added in the 1960's. The building remains in excellent condition. A small Gothic sandstone gatehouse is situated close by Vaucluse Road but now separated from the main house by two other properties.
Further information:	Full LEP description - "The Hermitage" - house and interiors, grounds, gateposts and gates to Vaucluse Road, inner gateposts, gates and fencing, stone works associated with adjacent Watercourse

Recommended management:

Where proposed work requires prior consent from Woollahra Council, the applicant must include a statement of heritage impact addressing the proposed work as part of the development application package. Any changes to the place should be appropriately located and be sympathetic to the identified heritage significance of the place. Elements of high significance should be retained, maintained and conserved. Elements identified as intrusive should be removed when possible.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number
Local Environmental Plan	Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014	398	23 May 15
Local Environmental Plan - Lapsed	Woollahra	LEP 1995	10 Mar 95	28
Heritage study	Woollahra

References, internet links & images

None

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	2711067

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