Engehurst

Item details


Name of item:	Engehurst
Other name/s:	Eaglehurst
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	Villa
Location:	Lat: -33.8805247786 Long: 151.2257709360
Primary address:	56A Ormond Street, Paddington, NSW 2021
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Woollahra
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	La Perouse

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
			CP/SP	31878

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
56A Ormond Street	Paddington	Woollahra	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
	Private	24 Mar 99
	Private	24 Mar 99
	Private	24 Mar 99
	Private	24 Mar 99
	Private	24 Mar 99
	Private	24 Mar 99
	Private	24 Mar 99

Description


Designer/Maker:	John Verge
Construction years:	1834-1835
Physical description:	Site: The site of Engehurst was part of the original seven acre grant to Hely and Francis Nicholas Rossi. Eight acres (one granted to Hely; seven, acquired by him) of grounds surrounded the house, with two service wings consisting of a coach house and stables and the kitchen and servants' wing. From the entrance gates on Glenmore Road a winding carriage drive, perhaps with glimpses of the harbour through the trees, led to the house, passing at least some of the picturesque garden follies that the Helys had commissioned from Verge; a Gothic Lodge, a Chinoiserie privy and a Gothic garden house (Griffin, 2019, 116). Only a portion of the house and estate survives after a series of subdivisions and demolitions (ibid, 2019, 114). The surviving (servant's wing/quarters) portion of Engehurst, on a half acre property, remained as a single residence until, in the 1920s, the flanking apartment buildings were built and the original part divided into flats (AHC, 2010). House (c1835)(Griffin, 2019, 114)/ 1833-36 (Griffin & Brown, 2019, 138): (from Verge's plans): Engehurst is characteristic of the villa form, with rooms arranged around a central stair hall. An imposing neo-classical house, the front elevation of five bays had a central breakfront of three bays with pediment, moulded stringcourse, pilasters and a columned entrance porch flanked by archited niches. On each side of the central breakfront were elegant French doors framed with masonry architraves, frieze and cornice; a characteristic element of Verge's work. The double entrance doors, with decoratively carved panels and a patterned transom light, were similar to those of Elizabeth Bay House, and like that house opened onto an almost cubic vestibule. This space, probably intended to have diagonally patterned stone paving as at Elizabeth Bay house, was linked to the central stair hall. As in any house of standing, the principal rooms of the ground floor included a drawing room, dining room, library and breakfast room. Both the drawing and dining rooms had French doors opening onto the surrounding garden with, no doubt, views over the harbour. On the upper level were two larger bedrooms with attached dressing rooms, two smaller bedrooms and a water closet (ibid, 2019, 114). All the ground floor reception rooms were to be finished with decorative plasterwork cornices, beautifully detailed fine cedar joinery as evident in Verge's drawings - so characteristic of his work - and fitted with marble chimney pieces. While it is uncertain the completed house followed this plan, an 1846 description of the house indicates a very similar structure: 'a commodious Family resicence...commanding the most beautiful view of the harbour' containing 'a dining room, drawing room and library, seven bedrooms...'. While there is no record of furnishings of these rooms they would have been consistent with outher similar documented houses of the period: predominantly Grecian style furniture decorated with scrolls, acanthus leaves, the Grek key motif, columns and pediments and possible some pieces in Gothic or Louis Revival styles. The drawing room would have been the most lavishly furnished of the public reception rooms of the house as it was here that guests were entertained and the ladies withdrew following dinner. This richly decorated room would have included a suite of upholstered chairs and sofas, with sofa tables, circular loo tables and occasional tables, a pinao, a fitted carpet with hearth rug, window treatments of muslin and perhaps chintz curtains, a chiffonier displaying ornaments, gilt-framed pictures and over-mantel mirror, table lamps and a chandelier (ibid, 2019, 114). In contrast to this feminine room was the dining room, more masculine in character with 'somwhat massive and simple' decor. An extendable dining table, 12 chairs (usually upholstered in horsehair), one or two sideboards for displaying silver and for the serving of meals, candealbrum for the table and a rich 'Turkey' carpet. The other, more private rooms of the ground floor and upper floor would have been furnished more simply, with older furniture or furniture of local manufacture, compared to the 'show' rooms of the house (ibid, 2019, 116). While only one facade of the original (John) Verge(-designed, 1830s) building can now be seen from the outside, much of the original detailing still exists inside, including fine (red) cedar, six-panelled doors, wide floorboards, skirtings and architraves. Despite later alterations and additions, the remains of Engehurst have great historic significance as a link with the early (colonial) settlement of Sydney and as a fine example of Verge's work (HCofNSW, 1986, 2). The surviving portion of Engehurst consists of the north-south aligned (single-storey: HCofNSW, 1986, 2) servant's offices and portions of the east-west aligned kitchen wing. The main portion has basement, ground floor and first storey (AHC, 2010). The northern facade of the servant's wing contains three bays with finely detailed sandstone pilasters and cornice and is the only visible section of the original wings. On this lower storey later paint work has, for the most part, been removed and is now painted (ibid, 2010). The upper storey is rendered and painted and has an end pilaster which reflects those of the lower, earlier section (ibid, 2010). The building has a simple facade treatment which follows the form and detailing of the original design. It is a two to three-storey rendered (18" solid) stone residence in the Victorian Georgian style. Drainage and ventilating tunnels separate the basement from the surrounding solid rock (ibid, 2010). Walls are rendered masonry, ashlar lined, and feature stucco string course below eaves. Windows to the eastern facade are randomly placed, and are timber multi-paned double hung or casement. An entrance at the southern end has multi-paned door, top and side lights (ibid, 2010). The interior of the building has undergone extensive alteration, but some verge details remain identifiable. The basement layout is stone flagged floor and an original stone fireplace remains. The ground floor and the first floor retain some original detailing (ibid, 2010). The building has been renovated and was converted into four flats in 1986 (ibid, 2010). Additions: Other parts of the building have been concealed by later additions. The later additions on the street side are of uncertain age. The building is flanked by two, three-storey, timber-framed, gabled apartment buildings built in the 1920s (which front onto Ormond Street). The projecting bay windows of these apartments form a contributing streetscape element although they have been re-shingled inappropriately in fibre sheet rather than timber (ibid, 2010). These additions have a galvanised iron roof and boxed eaves, similar decorative timber bargeboards and gable screen. A small gabled porch supported by timber posts on a rendered masonry base, has decorative timber barge board, gable end, and plasterboard lining to the underside. The northern facade is a parapet wall and features Classical detailing, including stone pilasters supporting entablatures at both ground and first floor level. Bare sandstone at ground level, rendered and lined at first floor level. Tall narrow timber double-hung windows at ground level, with stone sills and internal security grilles. Windows at first floor level have segmental arched heads and stucco architraves. Windows are multi-paned casement, unframed sliding glass windows at second floor level have internal concertina style shutters. Exposed timber frame, timber lattice infill at ground level, fibre cement infill to upper floors. Terra cotta tiled courts behind a stone and cast iron fence onto Ormond Street. A plaque erected by the Lions Club of Paddington for its bicentenary reads 'Engehurst 1835 Facade of John Verge's Georgian Mansion built for Augustus Hely.' The boundary of the apartment complex extends to Begge Lane at the rear (ibid, 2010). Style: Victorian Georgian External Materials: Sandstone walls, sections rendered and ashlar-lined. Galvanised iron sheeting to roof, timber bargeboards and gable screens. Timber-framed addition, fibre cement panels. Timber double hung or casement windows, multi-paned door. Internal Materials: Unseen (LEP, 1995).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The building's simple facade treatment follows the form and detailing of the original design. The building has some research potential and would have some archaeological potential due to the time it has been in place (LEP, 1995).
	Date condition updated:25 Jan 13
Modifications and dates:	There are two three storey brick apartment buildings to the north and south. Alterations include, the replacement of a paling fence and concrete retaining wall to the rear alignment with a new concrete block wall in 1972, and the renovation of existing external metal stairs in 1983. In 1987 alterations included bathroom and kitchen renovations, the restoration of the rear balcony, construction of new laundries into existing hallways, and new internal stairs. Conservation work to existing fabric was also undertaken at this time, and included repairs to existing joinery, surfaces and finishes, and some repainting (LEP, 1995).


Current use:	suburban residence
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, suburban mansion 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.).

Paddington:
This suburb, which took its name from the London borough, lies in what were once paddocks adjacent to Victoria Barracks. It was the first of the early Sydney suburbs that was not self-sufficient - its inhabitants, unlike those of Balmain or Newtown, where work was available in local industries, had to go away each day to their places of employment. Development of the Eastern Suburbs (Edgecliff, Double Bay, Point Piper and Woollahra) surrounded this area with wealthy people's homes so this small hilly suburb lost all hope of harbour views.

The area developed after a road was constructed to link up with a pilot station that was to be built at Watson's Bay (South Head Road). John Palmer, the settlement's commissary, refused to allow people to cross his land grant ('Woolloomooloo'), so the road had to follow a roundabout way through Paddington to bypass his 100 acres.

...only a handful of workers lived in the area, and it was not until 1838, when it was decided to build a new military barracks in Paddington, that life came to the area.

From 1848 when Victoria Barracks had been opened (designed by Lt.-Col.George Barney) and homes for the soldiers and their families had been erected, Paddington began to assume a real identity...The (barracks site) land was sandy - in fact a huge sandhill was located on the western side of the Greens Road area, and the foundation trenches had to be dug very deep, to locate firm stone for the foundations. Stone was mostly quarried in the area: the stone masons were free settlers who had worked on erection of the Customs House at what was then Semi-Circular Quay.

...Once the soldiers and their families moved here, shopkeepers followed. Builders moved into the area and put up 3,800 houses between 1860 and 1890. These terraces give today's Paddington its air of individuality...The first school in the area was opened in the Presbyterian manse in Oxford Street, built in 1845.

...It is hard to imagine that in 1822 the mansion Juniper Hall (the opposite southern corner of Oxford Street from the Reservoir) stood alone, without the neighbours it has today. Set in a flagged garden, it had attic windows that gave panoramic views to Rushcutters Bay and Botany Bay. Juniper Hall was built for Robert Cooper, distiller and emancipist merchant, who with partners James Underwood and Francis Ewen Forbes, had recieved 100 acres from Governor Brisbane in c.1818, covering the whole of north Paddington, and they agreed to erect 3 mansions and a distillery there. A distillery was built at the foot of Cascade Street near Taylor Square and Cooper bought out his partners, and only Juniper Hall was erected...The Coopers were part of the social scene of their day and entertained many notables of that time.

Today few of the area's original working class residents remain, as the suburb's proximity to the city has made it popular with business and professional people who prefer inner-city living in this historic area. The shopping centre, concentrated on the north side of Oxford Street, has also changed from one serving local needs to one of cafes, speciality shops and boutiques...Much of this is related to the changing population and the Village Bazaar, or Paddington Markets. The bazaar, which has operated since the mid 1970s, draws visitors from all over the city and has contributed to Paddington's development as one of Sydney's favourite tourist spots, along with Bondi Beach and The Rocks (Pollen, 1988, 195-7).

Engehurst:
One of the first villas built in the 'Valley of Rushcutters' was Engehurst, for Frederick Augustus Hely, Principal Superintendent of Convicts, and his wife Georgina (Griffin, 2019, 112).

The site is in the Rushcutters Bay Valley, bounded by Old and New South Head Roads, Point Piper Road and Boundary Road, and characterised in the mid nineteenth century by architect designed 'mansion villas' situated in cultivated grounds for the 'Paddington Gentry.' (LEP).

The site of Engehurst was part of the original seven acre grant (The AHC, 2010 listing states that: 'after receiving a Crown grant of 1 acre, 2 roods and 2 perches, Hely purchased 6 acres and 2 roods from Captain Nicholas Rossi, Superintendent of Police, in September 1833 (LTO Book F No 294) with frontage to new road ('Glenmore Distillery Road': Griffin, 2019, 112) in the Valley of Rushcutter (later 'Point Piper Road', now Glenmore Road)).

Hely had a land grant at 'Narara', Brisbane Waters and built a house called 'Wyoming' there as well as timber-getting, as (red) cedar was exported in large quantities to Europe. He developed a citrus orchard in an area still famous for its orange groves. 'Wyoming' was a country house on a working property not very suitable for grazing. It never became a grand residence. In Sydney in contrast, Hely built 'Eaglehurst' (Engehurst) in Paddington, designed by (architect) John Verge, the drawings of which have survived, together with a drawing of a garden pavilion and a stable block (Crittenden, 1992, 97). Wyoming was also designed by Verge for Hely, though not built until after Hely's death (ibid, 2010).

Hely commissioned an initial design from Verge, described in the 'Sydney Gazette' as 'an architect who has done much for the establishment of Sydney and its environs... To his judicious taste we are indebted for the elegance of most of the villas of Woolloomooloo Hill, some of which are worthy of the suburbs of London'. Verge's elegantly designed villas, with their beautiful detailing, established the architectural standard for the 1830s and works attributed to him include Elizabeth Bay House (1833) for Colonial Secretary, Alexander Macleay, and on Woolloomooloo Hill: Rockwall (1830) for the civil engineer, John Busby; Tusculum (1830) for the successful merchant Alexander B. Spark; Goderich Lodge (1831, demolished) for Thomas Macquoid, governor's Sheriff; and Barham (1832) for the clerk of the Executive Council, Edward Deas Thomson (ibid, 2019, 112).

Verge's (Engehurst) design was characteristic of his work: a two-storeyed, stuccoed 'very handsome and spacious mansion' consisting of 21 rooms. It is not clear whether the mansion was built to Verge's intended design as Verge produced several other designs; Hely died in 1836 and much of the house was demolished in 1878 with only a portion of the house surviving in today's Ormond Street (ibid, 2019, 112).

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. By the 1920s, a garden attached to a large suburban house was often described as a villa garden... after WW2 the term villa was rarely used..(Aitken, 2002, 619-20).

The mansion was built in 1834-5 (Horne, (1972) says 1833; AHC (2010) says 'between 1833 and 1835' (LEP, 1995); Griffin (2019) says c.1835) using convict labour (http://oldestatesforsale.wordpress.com/2013/05/ - 4/5/2013).

However the original design is remarkably well documented and as the plans carry Governor Bourke's signed approval, the desig is indicative of the type of house Bourke envisaged for the new suburb; a continuation of the villas of Woolloomooloo Hill (ibid, 2019, 112). Verge's chamber plan and rear elevation drawing of Engehurst is in the Mitchell Library (Burke, 1986, 2), together with a drawing of a garden pavilion and a stable block (Crittenden, 1992, 97). Verge's plan, combined with the early survey plans showing villas set within their grounds, provide insight into the lives of 'the Rushcutter Valley gentry' (ibid, 2019, 112).

The kitchen and servant's wings, built roughly to an H-shaped plan, were under construction in 1834 and were occupied by Hely in 1835. The original wings of servant's offices. Kitchen and stables were connected to each other by a trellis screen and to the main house by a tunnel. Plans were made for screen and to the main house by a tunnel. Plans were made for a two storeyed house facing the service wings across a two storeyed house facing the service wings across a courtyard. By June 1836, it appears Hely had doubts about so grand a scheme, for Verge then designed a decorative pavilion with a pediment and balustrade roof line to site forward of the wings. Hely died in September 1836 and it is uncertain if Engehurst was ever completed to Verge's plans (AHC, 1980).

A beautiful home surrounded by garden but the ground plans of the time show merely driveways and no carriage sweep. It was probably not completed during the lifetime of (nurseryman and landscape gardener) Thomas (Shepherd), and Hely died soon after Shepherd in 1836 (ibid, 1992, 97), prior to Engehurst's completion (LEP, 1995).

Max Kelly, in 'A Paddock Full of Houses', writes that there is some doubt if Engehurst was completed, however the description in the 'For Sale' notice 18 March 1886 (R & W Contract Book 4539) is much the same as Verge intended and dimensions of rooms similar to those in Verge's drawings (AHC, 1980).

It is uncertain if Engehurst was ever completed to Verge's plans. The Sydney District Council Assessment Book D66 1843-46 describes Engehurst as '....a good large stone cottage with stables, gardener's house, out officers, garden, etc' (AHC, 2010).

Georgina Hely remaining living at Engehurst after her husband's death, apparently completing the work to the house and grounds. In this, she would have been assisted by her son-in-law Gother Kerr Mann, a civil engineer and architect who had married their daughter Mary in 1838. The couple were living at Engehurst by 1840 and to maintain a household and grounds such as this required a small retinue of servants - senior servants such as a butler, housekeeper and cook - but also house maids, scullery maids, coachmen/grooms and gardeners (ibid, 2019, 116).

By the mid-1840s there were other similar 'gentlemen's villas', each set deep within their grounds on the slopes above Rushcutters Bay, enjoying 'magnificent views of the waters of our lovely harbour'. These included Roger Therry's Flinton (1833, demolished) and John Gurner's Duxford House (1843, demolished), both possibly designed by Verge, and WIlliam T. Cape's Elfred House (1843, demolished). However, as at Woolloomooloo Hill, the exclusivity was short-lived. Some, such as John Kinghela, having begun to cultivate and prepare the grounds for their house, found that they could not afford to build and were forced to sell. When these sales did occur, they tended to be of the original grant. The economic depresssion of the early 1840s also cause some to subdivide their estates, with gardens and grounds broken upo for smaller allotments. While the area may have lost its exclusivity, it remained fashionable, its residents a mix of the original grantees and those whould could afford a substantial residence. However, the subdivisions continued in the late 1840s with 'Villa allotments', the 1860s a second phase of villa building as other grants were sold (ibid, 2019, 116).

The Hely family advertised the property in 1868 as including 'thirty-one splendid allotments, fourteen fronting Glenmore Road and seventeen from Hely Street. Engehurst was purchased by Ebenezer Vickery and immediately sold to merchant, John Elly Begg in 1868 (LTO Volume 73 February 1979)(AHC, 2010). Begg, a Paddington Council alderman, then subdivided Engehurst's eight acres to build his own house, Olive Bank Villa (ibid, 2019, 116) on the grounds of Engehurst in 1869 and he amassed land around the Engehurst property during the following decade. Begg's son purchased the mansion Juniper Hall in 1872 (AHC, 2010), which was then known as Ormonde House (Griffin & Brown, 2019, 138). Olive Bank Villa was the last (built) of the Paddington villas and one (of two, with Juniper Hall) that was to survive the later subdivisions (ibid, 2019, 116). It remains today, used as a Childcare Centre on Ormond Street (Stuart Read, observation., 1/7/2020).

In 1878, Begg subdivided his property and demolished most of Engehurst in order to create Begg Street (later renamed Ormonde Street). This street crossed the (Engehurst's) stables, kitchen and its main residence. It is thought that stone form that demolished wings was used to build part of the first floor (ie, above the former kitchen wing, source D). The servants' quarters were not affected by the (new) street but were soon engulfed by new development in the late nineteenth century. The surviving portion of Engehurst, on a half acre property, remained as a single residence until, in the 1920s, the flanking apartment buildings were built and the original part divided into flats (AHC, 2010).

Begg was responsible for subdivision of the 3 estates in 1878 resulting in 89 lots of varying frontages. In the following years these were transformed with rows of houses stepping down the slopes of the former estates (Griffin & Brown, 2019, 138).

Engehurst, with significantly reduced grounds, passed to Robert H Reynolds, JP. Reynolds resided here until 1914, at which time the property passed to accountant Phinechas Bear Selig. The building has associations with a number of prominent local identities in both social and political circles and as a reflection of the type of development which was common to the area in the early nineteenth century (LEP, 1995).

The surviving single-storey servants' wing was engulfed in an apartment building during the late 19th century. Two-storey blocks of flats were built at either end of Engehurst around the turn of the (20th) century (Burke, 1986, 2).

The later additions on the street side are of uncertain age. The building is flanked by two, three-storey, timber-framed, gabled apartment buildings built in the 1920s (which front onto Ormond Street)(Griffin & Brown, 2019, 138 note the conversion to flats occurred in 1922), initially named Silsoe Flats, later, Craigieburn Flats.

Engehurst was renovated as four flats in 1986 (ibid, 2010). An interim conservation order was made over it in 1986 to protect the remaining Verge portion. While only one facade of the original building can now be seen from the outside, much of the original detailing still exists inside, including fine (red) cedar, six-panelled doors, wide floorboards, skirtings and architraves. Despite later alterations and additions, the remains of Engehurst have great historic significance as a link with the early (colonial) settlement of Sydney and as a fine example of Verge's work (Burke, 1986, 2).

The building changed hands in the early 1980s and the new owners wished to refurbish it. Heritage Council advice to the Minister for Planning and Environment, Mr Bob Carr was that he place an interim conservation order over Engehurst to ensure the Heritage Council could evaluate and approve any proposals to alter, demolish or significantly affect this important colonial fragment (Burke, 1986, 2).

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.	Other open space-
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-
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	Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
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 settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
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-
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.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
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 (inner city)-
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 (suburbs)-
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.	gentlemen's residences-
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 Villas-
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.	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.	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.	Architectural design-
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	1820s-1850s land grants-
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	Surveying by Augustus Alt-
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	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	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	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	living in the city-
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	Early Sydney Street-
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	Subdivision of urban estates-
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	Subdivision of urban estates-
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	19th century suburban developments-
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	Suburban Consolidation-
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-
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.	Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
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 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.	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.	Architectural styles and periods - colonial Georgian-
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.	Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
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.	work of stonemasons-
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.	Patronising artistic endeavours-
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 - Greek revival-
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.	Interior design styles and periods - Colonial-
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 - Neoclassical-
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 - Victorian (early)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ways of life 1900-1950-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ways of life 1950-2000-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ways of life 1788-1850-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ways of life 1850-1900-
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.	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 a new house-
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	Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Belonging to an historical society or heritage organisation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Community organisations-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Places of informal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Joining together to study and appreciate philosophy-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Belonging to an institution for self improvement-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Developing local clubs and meeting places-
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-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Francis Rossi, Superintendent of Police, 1825-34-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Frederick Augustus Hely, Principal Superintendent of Convicts, 1823-36-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Ely Begg, Woollahra Council Alderman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Robert H. Reynolds JP-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Phinechas Bear Selig, accountant-

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	Heritage Act	Building and Garden Maintence Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material; (2) Garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning, weed control, the repair and maintenance of existing fences, gates and garden walls and tree surgery but not extensive lopping.	Jul 29 1988
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	Engehurst	00575	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former	Engehurst	00575	29 Jul 88	123
Local Environmental Plan	Engehurst - building	263	23 May 15
National Trust of Australia register	NTA (NSW) Suburban Register	7425
Register of the National Estate	Engehurst	100256	21 Oct 80

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Woollahra Heritage Study	1997	558.0480	Schwager Brooks P/L	GBA	Yes

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	Burke, Sheridan	1986	Conservation order for Verge villa fragment
Written	Crittenden, Victor	1992	A Shrub in the Landscape of Time - Thomas Shepherd, Australian Landscape Gardener and Nurseryman
Written	Griffin, Robert, in Young, Greg (ed.) et al, Paddington - a History	2018	'Early Paddington'	View detail
Written	Griffin, Robert; and Brown, Robert	2019	'The Victorian Suburb'
Written	Horne, Duncan	1972	Engehurst: a house in Paddington designed by John Verge in 1833
Written	Kelly, Max	1978	Paddock Full of Houses: 1840-1890
Written	Pollen, Frances (Author & editor)	1988	Paddington, in "The Book of Sydney Suburbs"

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:	5045347
File number:	S90/03189 & HC 33422

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.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.