Fernleigh Castle - main building and interiors

Item details


Name of item:	Fernleigh Castle - main building and interiors
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	Mansion
Primary address:	5 Fernleigh Gardens, Rose Bay, NSW 2029
Local govt. area:	Woollahra

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
5 Fernleigh Gardens	Rose Bay	Woollahra			Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	A large and intact Victorian mansion built as a product of the 1890's boom. The structure is a highly decorated example of the stonemason's craft using a pink to brown fine dressed sandstone, still in very good condition. Built 1892 incorporating the walls of "The Ferns" a small cottage built in 1847 by C.W. Roberts. Extensively enlarged in 1892 by Frank Bennett, the proprietor of the now defunct Evening News.
	Date significance updated: 12 Dec 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


Builder/Maker:	F
Construction years:	1892-
Physical description:	A large (30 rooms) two storey sandstone mansion built 1892 incorporating the walls of 'The Ferns', a nearby cottage built in 1874. The style is a Victorian interpretation of the Neo-Romanesque genre which has been embellished with pseduo Normal battlements and castellated towers. Verandah adjacent to ballroom not original. Built in pink to brown fine dressed sandstone. Much original cedar joinery remains. Internal alterations appear to have been confined to some minor rooms and the kitchen wing, although virtually the side landscape has disappeared. Externally the building appears to be near original apart from the verandah adjacent to the ballroom. The building was bought in 1966 by the C.B.C and is now used by it as a staff training college. Previous owners: First: Frank Bennet who also built the caretaker's cottage. Mrs E.M.C Watt 1920 W. Buckingham 1950 B.H. Jackson 1954 G.C Lloyd 1962 Mark Cotter 1964
	Date condition updated:13 Apr 04
Further information:	One of the very few large Victorian mansions still intact in Sydney. A product of the 1890's boom, the structure is a highly decorated example of the stonemason's craft using pink to brown fine dressed sandstone, still in very good condition. The interiors of the main rooms are very decorative contained elaborate plaster ornamentation to walls, piers and archways. Much original cedar joinery remaining and fine crafts example in the main stair. Other notable items include large tiled fireplaces framed by finely carved mahogany mantels with marble pillars supports, intricate stained glass windows, large bedroom (35ft by 18ft) three feet deep porcelain bath in cedar and marble frame, figured of white zinc.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Woollahra	LEP 1995	10 Mar 95	28
Local Environmental Plan	Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014	309	23 May 15

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:	2711140

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