Salisbury Court

Item details


Name of item:	Salisbury Court
Other name/s:	Rose Bay Lodge; Rose Bay Cottage
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	Homestead building
Location:	Lat: -33.8727352326 Long: 151.2570689500
Primary address:	1-7 Salisbury Road, Rose Bay, NSW 2029
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Woollahra
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	La Perouse

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	24	DP	6283
LOT	25	DP	6283
LOT	26	DP	6283
LOT	27	DP	6283

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
1-7 Salisbury Road	Rose Bay	Woollahra	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
	Private

Statement of significance:


	Rose Bay Lodge is the oldest surviving house in what was historically Woollahra. From 1855 to 1861 it was the family home of the Coopers, who owned the Woollahra Estate and gave Woollahra its name. It is associated with Sir Daniel Cooper Bt. Speaker of the first Legislative Assembly in New South Wales and first baronet of Woollahra. It is associated with Sir John Hay, an eminent New South Wales M.P. of the second half of the nineteenth century. (Conservation Analysis Clive Lucas Stapleton August 1985)
	Date significance updated: 26 May 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


Designer/Maker:	John Verge (original cottage);
Construction years:	1834-1915
Physical description:	Originally part of 1130 acre grant of 22/3/1830. Originally this comprised ten grants promised by Governor Macquarie to various persons and afterwards acquired by Captain John Piper, who in 1826 mortgaged these portions together with his "capital...mansion house" (Henrietta Villa, on Point Piper), its coach houses, stables and other buildings built on his adjoining 190 acres grant called "Point Piper" to Cooper & Levey. Following Piper's bankruptcy in 1826-7 all of these lands and others passed to Cooper & Levey, who in 1830 held in this area some 1320 acres of land stretching from Woollahra to Rose Bay most of which was then virgin bushland except for the area around Henrietta Villa. It bounded the harbour's edge at Double Bay travelling along a line approximately where today's Ocean Street is until it reached Old South Head Road and thence by that road to a point just beyond the present day Rose Bay and thence by a line to the harbour. The term 'villa' was first used in England in the 17th century, partly from the Latin and Italian 'country house, farm', perhaps derived from the stem of vicus (village). The villa was a country mansion or residence, together with a farm, farm-buildings, or other house attached, built or occupied by a person of some position and wealth. It was taken to include a country seat or estate and later a residence in the country or in the neighbourhood of a town, usually standing in its own grounds. From this is was appropriated by the middleof the 18th century to mean a residence of a superior type, in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district, such as that occupied by a person of the middle class, and also a small, better-class dwelling house, usually detached or semi-detached. The term 'villa garden' was used in the context of Hobart and Sydney residences in the 1830s, and if near the coast or harbour, the appellation 'marine villa' was often applied. Australian origins probably date from the grant conditions applied to Sydney's Woolloomooloo Hill (1827, under Governor Darling), which obligated the construction of villas fulfilling certain conditions... 'with garden like domain, and external offices for stables and domestic economy' (John Buonarotti Papworth, 1825, quoted in James Broadbent's 1997 book, 'The Australian Colonial House'). Many gardens of 19th century villas followed Gardenesque conventions, with garden ornaments often complementing the architecture of the house. The term had acquired such widespread usage by the 1850s that when Jane Loudon issued a new editiion of her husband (John Claudius Loudon)'s 'Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion' (1838) she merely entitled the revised work 'The Villa Gardener' (1850). This coincided with a growing period of suburbanisation in Australia with consequent fostering of the nursery trade... By the 1880s, descriptions of Australian villas implied sufficient room for a lawn on two or three fronts of the residence...(Aitken, 2002, 619-20). Apart from leasing the villa, Cooper & Levey did nothing to develop or improve their land. Levey left Sydney for London in 1826 and there in June 1829 he gave James Holt, a cousin of Daniel Cooper who had arrived in Sydney from London via Hobart Town in November 1825 with a capital of 2300 pounds and had taken up a position in that firm, a limited power of attorney to deal with certain of Level's partnership assets. Subsequently in June 1831 Cooper gave a similar power to Holt when he left Sydney in that year for London never to return to Australia. During their absence Holt acted as the firm's manager. In October 1833 Solomon Levey died and in the 1834 Cooper admitted into partnership Holt and Richard Roberts, the business to be conducted under the style and firm of Cooper Holt & Roberts. Possibly feeling the need for a house away from the city, and the Waterloo Warehouse the firm's principal place of business, and no doubt in view of his impending admission to partnership in the firm, Holt instructed John Verge in 9/1834 to prepare plans for "a cottage proposed to be erected at Rose Bay". In 11/1834 the Sydney Gazette reported "Mr.Holt of the Waterloo Warehouse has commenced building a commodious residence near Point Piper; and Mr.Haydon of Sydney has also laid the foundation of a house farther on, on an elevated site which commands a delightful view of the harbour". In 4/1837 The Sydney Times reported "...Rose Bay (near Point Piper) and passing the pretty residence of Mr Holt, and Mr Hayworth's picturesque and romantically situated cottage, leaving Mr.Wentworth's charming villa of classic nomenclature Vaucluse, and Mr Horton James Boto Fogo...". That year Edward Baker Boulton did a number of pencil sketches of the area, some of which are thought to include this house. Holt apparently lived in the cottage until about 1843, the year in which Daniel Cooper Jnr. (later Sir Daniel) arrived in Sydney. That year also the estate of Solomon Levey was finally settled in England following a complicated and lengthy wrangle over the previous 10 years. Under this settlement Daniel Cooper eventually received Levey's half share in all the firm's real estate holdings in NSW which he settled on certain trusts for the benefit of his nephew Daniel Cooper (later Sir Daniel, of Woollahra House) and his nephew's male heirs. A the time of this settlement (12/1843) the whole of the 1130 acre grant was described as "occupied by a dwelling house erected thereon and about (blank) acres cleared and cultivated now or late in the possession of James Holt. The residue of this lying waste and unproductive". Following his marriage in 9/1846 to Elizabeth Hill, sister of George Hill of "Durham Hall", Surry Hills, it is thought Daniel Cooper Jnr. occupied the cottage from 1844-8 for it is said that in 1848 his eldest son, also Daniel, was born here. Daniel Cooper leased the cottage "known as Rose Bay Cottage formerly in the occupation of James Holt...and the plot of land called or known as the Bush Paddock..." to James Moffitt (1802-74) a noted stationer, bookseller and engraver of the period, for 7 years. The whole of this land was then enclosed by a 'paling' or close fence. No express provision was contained in the lease permitting the lessee to make improvements and if any were made these became the property of the lessor. For this reason it is thought none were made. At the rear of the cottage on an adjoining separate piece of land of about 6 acres was a hut known as "Hargraves' Hut" and other buildings. These were occupied by John Hargraves, apparently an old retainer of the Cooper family who was granted a life tenancy of this area in 1849. After Hargraves left the land in c.1855 Sir Daniel Cooper used it during the building of Woollahra House (1856+) as his kitchen garden when he was in occupation of the house. It is thought Moffitt occupied the cottage until expiration of his lease and then Cooper and his family took up residence (1855-60?) during the building of Woollahra House. Cooper subsequently left Australia in 1861 and never returned permanently to reside there. The cottage subsequently became known as Rose Bay Lodge but it is not clear whether this was during Cooper's occupation of it at this time or later during Sir John Hay's long occupation. It is clear however from later plans that the additions and alterations to the cottage resulted in it being called Rose Bay Lodge. After Cooper vacated the house it is said to have been occupied for a short time by Walter Lamb (1825-1906) before Sir John Hay (1816-1892) took up a lengthy residence of it. The precise date of Hay's taking possession is unknown. His name appears on various maps from 1878-89 as occupant of Rose Bay Lodge and he died there in 1892. He is thought to have taken up residence here when he was appointed MLC in 1867. After Hay's death here the house (then on about 4 acres) was leased to Rosa Rougier, wife of Dr.Emile Rougier and she eventually purchased it in 1900. Subsequently after Mrs Rougier's death in c.1910, the property was subdivided and put up for sale at auction in 10/1911. At this sale Victor Louis Bosker Haigh, barrister and Grace Ann Friedericks, married woman, purchased the house and its present grounds. Subsequently they sold it to Leah Abrahams in 1912 and after her death in c.1951 it was transferred to Muriel Deborah Quirk, Alma Madeline Marks and Vera Gwendoline Hinde in equal shares. In 1973 Quirk sold her share to Dorothy Muriel Gulson then of 33 Fairweather St., Bellevue Hill and in 1970 following the death of Hinde her share was vested in Enid Daphne Grevis of North Bondi (Reymond, M.B., in National Trust, 1983, 1-4). Rose Bay Lodge (originally known as Rose Bay Cottage) contains the oldest surviving house in Woollahra. The earliest section of the house was constructed in 1834 from a design by architect John Verge. In terms of the general quality of his work, Verge is widely recognised as the most accomplished architect practising in Australia before 1850. Several of the architectural details surviving at Rose Bay Lodge (plaster cornices, French door details) are typical of Verge's work. The earliest section of Rose Bay Lodge was a single storey colonial verandahed cottage villa in a suburban situation. Its subsequent additions provide an excellent example of how a colonial house expanded to suit the needs of those who lived there. Most of the original planning of the house and its various additions is evident and much of the detailing remains. (Travis Partners, 1988)
Modifications and dates:	1834 original single storey cottage. 1848 additions by Cooper - large house which became known as Rose Bay Lodge. Two double storeyed rear wings linking what appears to be the original stable and a small cottage to the main house (National Trust classification sheet, 1981). c.1900 major additions (National Trust, 1983) 1910 subdivided date? unsympathetic additions made converting the original single storey cottage into two storeys. The house now (1981) on four lots, is divided into approximately 12 flats (National Trust classification sheet, 1981). c1995/6: Eastern wing returned to its 1915 configuation. Garden (to street/east) reinstated based on historic research - plan by Michael Lehany with James Broadbent, Michael Cook and the owner's input.


Current use:	Farm and rural residence
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm and residence; flats; kitchen garden; rural estate

History

Historical notes:

Aboriginal Sydney:
When Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet landed, first in Botany Bay and then in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), in January 1788, he was met by people who had lived on this land for many thousands of years. At least 1,500 people lived in the area between Botany Bay and Broken Bay and the intermediate coast (Attenbrow, n.d.)

There were two main languages spoken in the Sydney region - Darug and Tharawal. The Darug language had two main dialects - one spoken along the coast and the other in the hinterland (west of present-day Parramatta). Tharawal was spoken to the south of Botany Bay and as far west as the Georges River and possibly Camden (ibid, n.d.)

People belonged to small groups (territorial clans) through which they were spiritually related to specific tracts of land - these clans included the Gadigal, Wanngal, Gamaragal, Wallumedegal and Boromedegal. The suffix 'gal' denotes 'people of', thus, for example, the Gadigal were the people of Gadi (also spelled Cadigal and Cadi respectively) (ibid, n.d.).

The 'district of Gadi' was reported to have stretched from South Head west to 'the cove adjoining this settlement' (Darling Harbour) - an area that would have included Centennial, Moore and Queens Parks. Watkin Tench referred to the Gadigal as 'those who reside in the bay of Cadi'. The 'bay of Cadi' is probably Kutti, the Aboriginal place name recorded for present-day Watsons Bay, and the present name of a small beach in the bay (ibid, n.d.).

The Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan contains the following report that provides in depth detail of the pre-colonial history of the lands that are present day Centennial Parklands, which is where the text on this page comes from: Pre-colonial Aboriginal land and resource use in Centennial, Moore and Queens Parks - assessment of historical and archaeological evidence for Centennial Parklands Conservation Management Plan (ibid, n.d.).

The traditional owners of the land from South Head to Petersham were the Cadigal. Following European occupation of Woollahra the Cadigal band disappeared from the area by about the middle of the 19th century (Woollahra Library, 2015, 1).

Rose Bay:
Rose Bay was called Ginagulla (Prof. FD McCarthy) - open sea - in fact in geological times there was indeed an opening to the sea from there, evident still near Bondi. (Charles F. Laseron 'The Face of Australia'.)(Joan Lawrence, pers.comm., 5/12/2019).

The name Rose Bay was in use as early as 1796, and doubtless earlier and the bay was probably named by Governor Phillip after MR. (later, Sir) George Rose, Under-Secretary for the Treasury in England. The Aboriginal name for the bay was Pan-ner-rong, and meant blood. According to David Collins, it was the spot often chosen for their battles by the Aboriginal people (Jervis, 1960, 64).

Rose Bay Cottage, later Salisbury Court:
The house stands on part of 1130 acres originally granted to Daniel Cooper (1785-1853) and Solomon Levey (1794-1833), founders of the firm Cooper & Levey, by a consolidated Crown grant of 22/3/1830. Originally the grant comprised ten grants promised by Governor Macquarie to various persons and afterwards was acquired by Captain John Piper, who in 1826 mortgaged these portions together with his "capital...mansion house" (Henrietta Villa, on Point Piper), its coach houses, stables and other buildings built on his adjoining 190 acres grant called "Point Piper" to Cooper & Levey.

Following Piper's bankruptcy in 1826-7 all of these lands and others passed to Cooper & Levey, who in 1830 held in this area some 1320 acres of land stretching from Woollahra to Rose Bay most of which was then virgin bushland except for the area around Henrietta Villa. It bounded the harbour's edge at Double Bay travelling along a line approximately where today's Ocean Street is until it reached Old South Head Road and thence by that road to a point just beyond the present day Rose Bay and thence by a line to the harbour.

Apart from leasing the villa, Cooper & Levey did nothing to develop or improve their land. Levey left Sydney for London in 1826 and there in June 1829 he gave James Holt, a cousin of Daniel Cooper who had arrived in Sydney from London via Hobart Town in November 1825 with capital of 2300 pounds and who had taken up a position in that firm, a limited power of attorney to deal with certain of Level's partnership assets. Subsequently in June 1831 Cooper gave a similar power to Holt when he left Sydney in that year for London never to return to Australia. During their absence Holt acted as the firm's manager. In October 1833 Solomon Levey died and in the 1834 Cooper admitted into partnership Holt and Richard Roberts, the business to be conducted under the style and firm of Cooper Holt & Roberts.

Possibly feeling the need for a house away from the city, and the Waterloo Warehouse the firm's principal place of business, and no doubt in view of his impending admission to partnership in the firm, Holt instructed John Verge in 9/1834 to prepare plans for "a cottage proposed to be erected at Rose Bay". In 11/1834 the Sydney Gazette reported "Mr.Holt of the Waterloo Warehouse has commenced building a commodious residence near Point Piper; and Mr.Haydon of Sydney has also laid the foundation of a house farther on, on an elevated site which commands a delightful view of the harbour".

Rose Bay Cottage with its perfect nor-easterly position on the half moon of Rose Bay - the ideal of a 'marine villa' - (an example of Conrad Martens' paintings aimed at meeting the aspirations of his clients (and their knowledge of the picturesque, 18th century landscape style and classical allusions)(Ellis, 2004, 23: citing 'The Cottage, Rose Bay, 1857, watercolour by Conrad Martens (National Gallery of Australia) - text paraphrased by Stuart Read).

In 4/1837 The Sydney Times reported "...Rose Bay (near Point Piper) and passing the pretty residence of Mr Holt, and Mr Hayworth's picturesque and romantically situated cottage, leaving Mr.Wentworth's charming villa of classic nomenclature Vaucluse, and Mr Horton James Boto Fogo...". That year Edward Baker Boulton did a number of pencil sketches of the area, some of which are thought to include this house.

Holt apparently lived in the cottage until about 1843, the year in which Daniel Cooper Jnr. (later Sir Daniel) arrived in Sydney. That year also the estate of Solomon Levey was finally settled in England following a complicated and lengthy wrangle over the previous 10 years. Under this settlement Daniel Cooper eventually received Levey's half share in all the firm's real estate holdings in NSW which he settled on certain trusts for the benefit of his nephew Daniel Cooper (later Sir Daniel, of Woollahra House) and his nephew's male heirs. A the time of this settlement (12/1843) the whole of the 1130 acre grant was described as "occupied by a dwelling house erected thereon and about (blank) acres cleared and cultivated now or late in the possession of James Holt. The residue of this lying waste and unproductive".

Following his marriage in 9/1846 to Elizabeth Hill, sister of George Hill of "Durham Hall", Surry Hills, it is thought Daniel Cooper Jnr. occupied the cottage from 1844-8 for it is said that in 1848 his eldest son, also Daniel, was born here.

Daniel Cooper leased the cottage "known as Rose Bay Cottage formerly in the occupation of James Holt...and the plot of land called or known as the Bush Paddock..." to James Moffitt (1802-74) a noted stationer, bookseller and engraver of the period, for 7 years. The whole of this land was then enclosed by a 'paling' or close fence. No express provision was contained in the lease permitting the lessee to make improvements and if any were made these became the property of the lessor. For this reason it is thought none were made. At the rear of the cottage on an adjoining separate piece of land of about 6 acres was a hut known as "Hargraves' Hut" and other buildings. These were occupied by John Hargraves, apparently an old retainer of the Cooper family who was granted a life tenancy of this area in 1849. After Hargraves left the land in c.1855 Sir Daniel Cooper used it during the building of Woollahra House (1856+) as his kitchen garden when he was in occupation of the house.

It is thought Moffitt occupied the cottage until expiration of his lease and then Cooper and his family took up residence (1855-60?) during the building of Woollahra House. Cooper subsequently left Australia in 1861 and never returned permanently to reside there. The cottage subsequently became known as Rose Bay Lodge but it is not clear whether this was during Cooper's occupation of it at this time or later during Sir John Hay's long occupation. It is clear however from later plans that the additions and alterations to the cottage resulted in it being called Rose Bay Lodge.

After Cooper vacated the house it is said to have been occupied for a short time by Walter Lamb (1825-1906) before Sir John Hay (1816-1892) took up a lengthy residence of it. The precise date of Hay's taking possession is unknown. His name appears on various maps from 1878-89 as occupant of Rose Bay Lodge and he died there in 1892. He is thought to have taken up residence here when he was appointed MLC in 1867.

A related site in Double Bay (now called 'Overthorpe' also listed on the NSW State Heritage Register) was the site was Sir John Hay's 'garden' - an unusual listing in the 1880s Sands Directory at the time he resided at Rose Bay Lodge. This garden contained a gardener's cottage and is believed to have been the site of an Experimental Nursery. The selection of mature species suggests a possible link with William Guilfoyle's work (Guilfoyle was connected with the nearby Exotic Nursery at Double Bay). Overthorpe's magnificent specimens of great age and scale are testament to the 19th century passion for collecting and displaying rare and exotic trees.

After Hay's death here the house (then on about 4 acres) was leased to Rosa Rougier, wife of Dr.Emile Rougier and she eventually purchased it in 1900.

After Mrs Rougier's death in c.1910, the property was subdivided and put up for sale at auction in 10/1911. At this sale Victor Louis Bosker Haigh, barrister and Grace Ann Friedericks, married woman, purchased the house and its present grounds. Subsequently they sold it to Leah Abrahams in 1912 and after her death in c.1951 it was transferred to Muriel Deborah Quirk, Alma Madeline Marks and Vera Gwendoline Hinde in equal shares.

In 1973 Quirk sold her share to Dorothy Muriel Gulson then of 33 Fairweather St., Bellevue Hill and in 1970 following the death of Hinde her share was vested in Enid Daphne Grevis of North Bondi (Reymond, M.B., in National Trust, 1983, 1-4).

In early 1983 a Heritage Council inquiry was held under section 41 of the Heritage Act 1977 on a proposal for making a permanent conservation order over the property, after its owners objected. Evidence was submitted at the inquiry that confirmed the heritage significance of Rose Bay Cottage and that the main building could be attributed to architect John Verge. However because of the condition of the building and the alterations that had been made to it, the owners claimed that they would suffer financial hardship if an order was made and that this would render the cottage incapable of reasonable or economic use. Following a conference between the parties, Commissioner Dr. Alan Gilpin adjourned proceedings to enable further investigations on alternative uses for the building.

The Heritage Council considered four options for the use of the site to permit an economic form of development and retain and restore the original cottage. These were a retirement village, conference centre, restaurant in a garden setting and professional office suites. Manager of the Heritage Branch Merv Shearman said he was pleased the owners were working with the Heritage Council on a solution. An approach was made to Woollahra Council to gain support for changing the use of the property and if necessary rezoning the site as incentive to the owners to undertake restoration. It was hoped the possibility of a range of new use options would attract a purchaser with the necessary resources to undertake the conservation works required (Heritage Council of NSW, 1984).

Rose Bay Lodge (originally known as Rose Bay Cottage) contains the oldest surviving house in Woollahra. The earliest section of the house was constructed in 1834 from a design by architect John Verge. In terms of the general quality of his work, Verge is widely recognised as the most accomplished architect practising in Australia before 1850. Several of the architectural details surviving at Rose Bay Lodge (plaster cornices, French door details) are typical of Verge's work.

The earliest section of Rose Bay Lodge was a single storey colonial verandahed cottage villa in a suburban situation. Its subsequent additions provide an excellent example of how a colonial house expanded to suit the needs of those who lived there. Most of the original planning of the house and its various additions is evident and much of the detailing remains (Travis Partners, 1988).

1848 additions by Cooper - large house which became known as Rose Bay Lodge.
c.1900 major additions (National Trust, 1983)
c1995/6: Eastern wing returned to its 1915 configuation. Garden (to street/east) reinstated based on historic research - plan by Michael Lehany with James Broadbent, Michael Cook and the owner's input.

In December 2015 Woollahra Municipal Council's Mayor, Toni Zelzer, and the Chair if its Plaques Committee unveiled a new bronze footpath plaque outside Rose Bay Cottage to commemorate Sir Daniel Cooper. Cooper was the first elected Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1856 and a generous philanthropist, contributing to the relief of widows and children of soldiers killed in the Crimean war. He was knighted by patent on 18/7/1857 and created Baronet of Woollahra in 1863. He was made a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) in 1880 and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael & St. George) GCMG) in 1888. The name he gave to his new house at Point Piper, 'Woollahra' (House), was adopted by the new municipality when it was formed in 1860 (Woollahra Council, email of 19/11/2015).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Introduce cultural planting-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural - Coasts and coastal features supporting human activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Working on private assignment-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Demonstrating convicts' experiences and activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Creating a gentleman's estate-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	English rural building practises-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	English migrants-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Private farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Ancillary structures fencing-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Ancillary structures - sheds, crop storage-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Farming with convict labour-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Attempting to transplant European farming practices to Australian environments-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Arboretums - collections of trees for ornament or forestry-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Gardens and landscapes reminiscent of an 'old country'-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes demonstrating styles in landscape design-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Gardens demonstrating the travels and sojurns of a gardener-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them.	Exploring and surveying for the Crown-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them.	Opening Up, 1818-39-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Forestry-Activities associated with identifying and managing land covered in trees for commercial purposes.	Arboretum - collection of trees for trials, display-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Forestry-Activities associated with identifying and managing land covered in trees for commercial purposes.	Coastal timbergetting-
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.	Gentlemens Mansions-
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.	Country Villa-
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.	Housing for farm and station hands-
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.	Farm homestead-
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.	Adapted heritage building or structure-
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.	Living on the land-
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.	Housing famous families-
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.	Building for seclusion-
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.	Accommodating workers in workers' housing-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Sub-division of large estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Naming places (toponymy)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Granting Crown lands for private farming-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing suburbia-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Country Estate-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Role of transport in settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working independently on the land-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing in an exemplary architectural style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing landscapes in an exemplary style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Building in response to natural landscape features.-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - colonial homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - Federation period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - colonial period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - Victorian gardenesque style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in suburbia-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in a rural homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Kitchens and servants-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gardening-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Daniel Cooper (1785-1853), emancipist merchant and investor-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Captain John Piper, official, gentleman, benefactor-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Governor (later Maj-Gen.) Lachlan Macquarie, 1810-1821-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Sir Daniel Cooper (1821-1902), merchant and philanthropist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Solomon Levey, merchant, entrepreneur-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Holt, merchant-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Richard Roberts, merchant-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with James Moffitt, noted stationer, bookseller and engraver-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Hargraves, retainer of the Cooper family-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with the Hon. Sir John Hay, pastoralist and politician-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with the Hon. Walter Lamb MLC, businessman, pastoralist, politician-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Rosa Rougier, gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Victor Louis Bosker Haigh, barrister-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Grace Ann Friedericks, married woman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Leah Abrahams, gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Verge, architect-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Rose Bay Lodge is the oldest surviving house in what was historically Woollahra. (Conservation Analysis Clive Lucas Stapleton August 1985)
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	From 1855 to 1861 it was the family home of the Coopers, who owned the Woollahra Estate and gave Woollahra its name. It is associated with Sir Daniel Cooper Bt. Speaker of the first Legislative Assembly in New South Wales and first baronet of Woollahra. It is associated with Sir John Hay, an eminent New South Wales M.P. of the second half of the nineteenth century. It is associated with other people of importance including Daniel Cooper Sen., Solomon Levey, James Holt, William Moffit and Walter Lamb and the Lloyd Bros. (Conservation Analysis Clive Lucas Stapleton August 1985)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	It is a rare extant example of a pre 1840s single storey colonial verandahed cottage villa of consequence built in a suburban situation. It is a sophisticated example of a colonial cottage villa and has refined detailing. (Conservation Analysis Clive Lucas Stapleton August 1985) The original house was designed by John Verge, a prominent architect is Sydney during the 1830s and is characteristic of his work in both planning and detailing. it was once a landmark on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour. It retains a very small portion of its traditional outlook over the harbour. The bell mechanism is a rare extant example of the first half of the nineteenth century.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The remains of the fountain are those of one of the earliest fountains in Sydney to be built in a private garden. (Conservation Analysis Clive Lucas Stapleton August 1985)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	It is a rare example of a pre 1840s house in Sydney still retaining its domestic wing and service courtyard. (Conservation Analysis Clive Lucas Stapleton August 1985) It is a rare extant example of a single storey cottage designed by Verge and is the only example surviving in Sydney.
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:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00251	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00251	21 Dec 84	178	6385
Local Environmental Plan	Rose Bay Lodge - Building		10 Mar 95	28
National Trust of Australia register	Rose Bay Lodge formerly Rose Bay Cottage	9534

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Aitken, Richard	2002	'Villa Garden' (entry)	View detail
Written	Attenbrow, Val		A pre-colonial history	View detail
Written	Clive Lucas & Partners	1985	Rose Bay Lodge: Conservation Analysis and Interim Conservation Policy
Written	Dixon, Trisha	2002	'Salisbury Court' (entry)	View detail
Written	Ellis, Elizabeth	2004	Line of Sight: Allusions to the Picturesque in some colonial gardens	View detail
Written	Heritage Council of NSW	2013	'Rose Bay Cottage inquiry', in Heritage Conservation News, vol.2, no.4, summer 2013
Written	Jensen, Peter, Town Planner	1983	Statement by Peter R.Jensen, Town Planner: Commission of Inquiry, 30/8/1983 Proposed Permanent Conservation Order 'Salisbury Court', 1-7 Salisbury Road, Rose Bay
Written	Jervis, James (and Kelly, Vince (ed.))	1960	'Pan-ner-rong becomes Rose Bay'
Written	The National Trust of Australia (NSW)	1983	Salisbury Court Rose Bay Lodge, 1-7 Salisbury Road, Rose Bay: Submission to Commission of Inquiry pursuant to s.41 of the Heritage Act 1977
Written	Travis Partners	1988	Conservation of Rose Bay Lodge: submission to Department of Planning for Documentation
Written	Woollahra Library	2015	Fast Facts - History - B - Bellevue Hill	View detail

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:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045223
File number:	S90/03923 & HC 32623

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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