Avondale

Item details


Name of item:	Avondale
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	House
Location:	Lat: -33.8048365547 Long: 151.0030701360
Primary address:	25 O'Connell Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150
Parish:	Field of Mars
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	City of Parramatta
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Deerubbin

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	A		DP	348299
LOT	1		DP	622114

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
25 O'Connell Street	Parramatta	City of Parramatta	Field of Mars	Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	Larger house than those in locality possibly associated with a notable person. Professional, trade and manufacturing practice - example of an intact house.
	Date significance updated: 21 Dec 01
	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


Physical description:	The subject site is located on the western alignment of O'Connell Street, between Fennel and Grose Streets. It is surrounded by a mix of residential and commercial development spaning approximately a century from the Federation period. Most of the surrounding development is of a comparable scale with a cohesive materiality of face brickwork. The subject site includes Avondale (the subject former dwelling) as well as 1980s terraces/ townhouses to the west fronting Northcott Lane. Avondale is a two-storey brick and tile building which has external timber setailing in the Federation style. Brickwork is a dull brown with re grain features and the roof is gabled and hipped with bellcast detailing over the verandah. The verandah is two-storey on two sides with cast iron posts and balustrade with geometrical coloured tile paving on the ground level. A crenellated parapet exisits over the fron on the bagled front wing. (Branch Managers Report 1981)
Modifications and dates:	14/1/1982 - Heritage Council approved application to renovate Avondale and incorporate it into a town house development ot the rear of the site and of the neighbouring site. This development was later deferred. 14/5/1984 - Heritage Council approved an application to use Avondale as offices and for external treatment of the building and fencing.
Further information:	Subdivision plans (ML) - Parramatta; CPS


Current use:	offices
Former use:	Aboriginal land, residence

History

Historical notes:

North Parramatta:
The first section of Ross Street, off Church Street, appears on an 1822 map of the Town of Parramatta. The street was named for Major Robert Ross, commanding officer of the Marines and second-in-command to Governor Phillip. Ross Street was among those identified by Surveyor General Mitchell in December 1827 as land 'suitable for the lower classes'. Governor Darling and Mitchell were, it would appear, intent on alloting land according to the social standing of the applicant (Weir Phillips, 2016, 6).

The subject site lay close to an area known as 'The Brickfields'. These were located on land granted to the Rev.Samuel Marsden. References to brick making in the area occur as early as 1805 and continue till the 1830s. The name, however, is perpetuated in the name of the cross-street nearest Avondale's lot, Brickfield Street (ibid, 2016, 6).

In 1828, the Sydney Gazette commented with surprise on the amount of vacant land in Parramatta, given its proximity to Sydney. While a handful of grants had been issued withint he township itself, land was more often allocated by lease. The majority of land was occupied simply by verbal permission, a tenuous claim to title that did not then stop the occupier from 'selling' the land. The resulting confusion was not conducive to investment in the town. Parramatta had been surveyed in 1822, as part of Governor Brisbane's attempts to regularise the situation, and a new leasehold system announced in 1823. The system, however, had not been entirely successful, discouraging investment. It would be at least two decades before the situation was resolved (ibid, 2016, 6).

By the mid-1830s, Parramatta stood at the hub of an extensive network of roads: the Sydney-Parramatta Road, Macquarie's Great Western Road to Emu Plains, the north-west WIndsor Road tot he Hawkesbury districts and the Dog Trap Road leading southwards to Liverpool. A postal service was begun, with Parramatta serving as the postal town for a wide region (1828). Regular coach services ran to Sydney from 1828 and over the range (Blue Mountains) to Bathurst from 1832. By the late 1830s there were 39 licensed premises and a steam mill, 1 of 3 (steam mills) in the colony, grinding grain. Within 15 years, steamers would begin plying their trade along the Parramatta River, greatly reducing passage time to Sydney (ibid, 2016, 6).

Once the leaseholds were taken up in the centre of the township, North Parramatta became the next most desirable location. Settlement spread slowly northwards along Church Street and Windsor Road. By 1832, many of the allotments along the Windsor Road had been built upon, especially those on the western side, closest to the river. This was considered the very edge of safe settlement, as the road beyond was known as a haunt of bushrangers (ibid, 2016, 6).

The municipality of Parramatta was proclaimed in 1861 along the boundary lines of the Police district, becoming the Borough of Parramatta in 1867. By 1871, with the exception of Sydney and its suburbs, Parramatta's population was exceeded only by Newcastle, Bathurst and West Maitland. The first period of substantial growth for Parramatta since the end of the convict system occurred during the decade from 1871. While population had grown slowly in 1870, it increased by 38% between 1871 and 1881. This is exemplified by the listing of Parramatta residents in Sydney street directories from 1884. Of the nearly 300 houses built between 1871 and 1881, two thirds were of brick or stone (ibid, 2016, 7).

Commercial life flourished and urban services utilities improved. By 1891, there were 1848 houses, 105 shops and offices in the municipality. By 1901 this had increased to 1929 houses and 156 shops. Over 60% of the houses were brick. Development was never even across the area outside of the urban areas around Parramatta, the wider area remained largely rural during the period (up) to 1915 (ibid, 2016, 7).

Land auctioned by the Crown in November 1893.

Sands Directories from the period indicate 'Avondale' was built between 1896 and 1897 by Patrick Long. According to the Parramatta City Heritage Dvelopment Control Plan 2001, Long was a grocer who was established in North Parramatta. He also served as an Alderman of the Forrest Ward in 1903. In 1912 Mr H.J.Smithers moved into the dwelling. Smithers was an auctioneer with prominent firm, Messrs. Mobbs & Co. (ibid, 2016, 7).

Sands Directories indicate Edward Board was the next tenant of Avondale. From 1919-c1923 the site operated as a private hospital, specialising in obstetrics under the guidance of Mrs A.M.Delamothe and a number of other different matrons. From 1929 the site operated as a private school under the tutorship of Miss Lutz (ibid, 2016, 7).

A section 130 order was placed over Avondale on 9 January 1981 to prevent its demolition. Under section 132 of the Heritage Act the owner gave notice of his intention to demolish the building. On 27 February 1981 an Interim Heritage Order was placed over the building.

A Permanent Conservation Order was placed over the building on 18 February 1983. It was transferred to the State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Office use-
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-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Health-Activities associated with preparing and providing medical assistance and/or promoting or maintaining the well being of humans	Operating private and religious hospitals-
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.	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.	Housing for merchants and dealers-
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 professional people-
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	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.	Federation era residence-
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.	Housing ordinary families-
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	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	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	Suburban Expansion-
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-
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	living in the suburbs-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Private education-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Adapted villa/ cottage for a school-
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 - Edwardian-
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 - Federation Arts and Crafts-
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.	Architectural styles and periods - Federation Queen Anne-
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	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 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, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ornamental Garden-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Valuing women's contributions-
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 on the urban fringe-
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	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 Patrick Long, grocer, Parramatta Alderman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with H.J. Smithers, Parramatta auctioneer-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Edward Board, tenant-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Mrs A.M. Delamothe, hospital matron-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Miss Lutz, Parramatta private school tutor-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	This item historically significant.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	This item is representative.
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

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) OF THE HERITAGE ACT 1977 Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977. I, the Hon James Griffin MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales do by this Order, effective at the time of publication in the New South Wales Government Gazette: 1. revoke the order made on 9 November 2020 and published in the Government Gazette Number 318 of 13 November 2020; and 2. grant the exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 that are described in the attached Schedule. The Hon James Griffin MP Minister for Environment and Heritage Signed this 2nd day of June 2022. To view the standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 click on the link below.	Jun 17 2022

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 Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	00239	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former	00239	18 Feb 83	32	0750
Local Environmental Plan		21 Jul 89	084	4636
Local Environmental Plan	409	27 Feb 97	20

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
City of Parramatta Heritage Study	1993	409	Meredith Walker		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Weir Phillips Heritage	2016	'Heritage Impact Statement - Avondale, Unit 1, 25 O'Connell Street, Parramatta'

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:	5051400
File number:	S90/05456 & HC 32762

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