Penshurst Heritage Conservation Area
The main purpose of identifying conservation areas in Sydney is to conserve the history of the development of the metropolitan area. They are also special places in their own right, often with distinctive streetscapes, landscapes and building characters that create a sense of place that is worth retaining.The Penshurst Conservation Area reflects two waves of development. The original large land grant holdings were divided to establish the Victorian Estate subdivisions (c. 1885) that emerged with the construction of the Illawarra Railway Line. The overall subdivision layout reflects this early “estate style” development with some remaining examples of late nineteenth century housing in mansions such as “Kintail” in Laycock Road and “West Maling” now in Penshurst Avenue. Both of these properties are individually listed as heritage items.The second wave was the development of the “progressive suburbs” of the 1920s and 30s, exampled by McRaes Estate, which saw building covenants applied to development in the area and reflects the flight of the middle class from the denser inner suburbs.The subdivision pattern and the style and character of original development in the area reflect these themes and it is these elements that are meant to be retained. Penshurst Heritage Conservation Area – Assessment Guidelines Page 7 In summary, the Penshurst Heritage Conservation Area is important because:1. The precinct possesses streetscape integrity due to it being largely developed during a single period.2. The area has a uniform housing character which is displayed in its original fabric, scale, form and architectural details that gives the area a harmonious appearance.3. The predominance of California Bungalows shows the importance of the American influence on housing and lifestyles in the Inter-War Period. The area has a large number of 1930s bungalows what are excellent examples of middle class housing of the Inter-War period.4. The Penshurst Heritage Conservation Area reflects the availability of finance enabling the middle class to borrow money and finance the purchase of a house and epitomises the great diversion of funds in Australia from private investment in industry and infrastructure to “non-productive” investments in private housing.
O’Brien’s Estate Heritage Conservation Area
The main purpose of identifying conservation areas in Sydney is to conserve the history of the development of the metropolitan area.They are also special places in their own right, often with distinctive streetscapes, landscapes and building characters that create a sense of place that is worth retaining.The O’Brien’s Estate Heritage Conservation Area, also known as “The Dress Circle Estate”, is an early 1920’s subdivision associated with Hurstville’s leading commercial families, public servants and professional people.The area comprises a high proportion of substantial one and two-storey well designed dwellings, predominantly of the Inter-War period.The Conservation Area is notable for the variety of architectural styles, which include Californian and late Federation style bungalows, and examples of Inter-War Functionalist,Arts and Crafts, Spanish Mission and Tudor Revival style houses, some set in generous gardens.The visual impact of the Conservation Area is enhanced by its elevation on the higher slopes of Hurstville and the well maintained gardens and residences, some of which enjoy views of the district southwards towards the Georges River. In summary, the O’Brien’s Estate Heritage Conservation Area is important because:1. It is a representative example of an early Inter-War Period subdivision comprising substantial, well designed bungalows set in generous gardens, which is enhanced by its location on the highest slopes of Hurstville.2. The majority of houses in the area are well maintained and of a consistent scale with many demonstrating a high degree of intactness.3. The precinct possesses streetscape significance due to the high level of continuity of housing styles, landscaping and fencing.4. The area is increasingly rare as an excellent group of substantial Inter-War bungalows of varying styles, displaying fine detailing.
Kogarah South Heritage Conservation Area
he Kogarah South Heritage Conservation Area is associated with the first wave of residential development in the railway suburbs of the Kogarah district. The subdivision layout of Bowns Road and Ocean Street form part of the original subdivisions of Bowns Park Estate 1885 and Bay View Park Estate. The Bay View Park Estate was the first subdivision of the region and was offered for sale in 1880. The subdivisions are indicative of the early speculative building which took place after the opening of the Illawarra Railway link in 1884.The majority of housing in the area was constructed post 1890 and while it consists mainly of brick Federation one-storey residences, there are a variety of architectural details and high quality of workmanship of the Victorian and Californian Bungalow styles.The development of the area was linked with that of the adjoining Kogarah Town Centre Area, including its commercial functions, hospital and institutional development.In summary, the Kogarah South Heritage Conservation Area is important because:1. It is representative of the first wave of speculative subdivisions and building following the opening of the Illawarra Railway, and indicative of the associated middle class aspirations of the time.2. The majority of buildings in the area are well maintained and of a consistent scale with some demonstrating a high degree of intactness.3. The precinct possesses streetscape significance due to the high level of continuity of housing styles, landscaping and fencing.4. The area is increasingly rare as a group of Federation houses and Californian bungalows, and possesses some excellent examples of Federation houses with fine detailing and a high degree of intactness.
