''Fairwater'' is a
heritage-listed
This list is of heritage registers, inventories of cultural properties, natural and man-made, tangible and intangible, movable and immovable, that are deemed to be of sufficient heritage value to be separately identified and recorded. In many ...
residence and homestead at 560
New South Head Road
New South Head Road, is a major road in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, linking the inner-eastern suburb of Rushcutters Bay to the southern reaches of the South Head peninsula.
Route
New South Head Road runs north-east from Rushcutters Bay th ...
,
Double Bay in the
Municipality of Woollahra
Woollahra Municipal Council (or Woollahra Council) is a Local government in Australia, local government area in the Eastern Suburbs (Sydney), eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Woollahra is bounded by Port J ...
local government area of
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
, Australia. It was designed by
John Horbury Hunt
John Horbury Hunt (1838 – December 30, 1904) was a Canadian-born Australian architect who worked in Sydney and rural New South Wales from 1863.
Life and career
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, the son of a builder, Hunt was trained in B ...
(1882) and J. W. Manson () and built from 1882 to 1970. Acquired by members of the
Fairfax family
Members of the Fairfax Family were prominent as Australian media proprietors, especially in the area of newspaper publishing through the company John Fairfax and Sons (later known as Fairfax Media, although the Fairfax family no longe ...
in late 1900, following the 2017 death of
Lady Mary Fairfax , the house is managed by the executors of her estate. It was added to the
New South Wales State Heritage Register
The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...
on 27 March 2000.
In the media, the location of ''Fairwater'' is often incorrectly reported as the suburb of
Point Piper
Point Piper is a small, harbourside eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, east of the Sydney CBD, in the local government area known as the Municipality of Woollahra.
Point Piper has been historically r ...
.
[
]
History
A Crown grant was part of Captain John Piper's Point Piper Estate officially granted in 1820. This grant was subsequently acquired by Daniel Cooper and Solomon Levy in 1830. The subdivision of this part of Cooper's estate, known as the Point Piper Estate, commenced in the mid-1850s.[
The first leasehold title to the allotment, which was to become ''Fairwater'', was made in January 1863 to Edwin Thomas Beilby. Beilby (-1906) was a businessman associated with many of the prominent ]Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
financial institutions of the nineteenth century. The leasehold title was for a period of 99 years 9 months, of an area of 2 acres 13 perches, with an annual rental set at A£
The pound (Sign: £, £A for distinction) was the currency of Australia from 1910 until 14 February 1966, when it was replaced by the Australian dollar. As with other £sd currencies, it was subdivided into 20 shillings (denoted by the symbol s ...
52 for the duration of the lease.[ During the mid-1870s Beilby was bankrupted, and in June 1875 Beilby's official assignee, F. T. Humphreys, sold the allotment through the auction house of L. E. Threlkeld.
]
Joseph family ownership
The purchaser of the leasehold allotment was James White of '' Cranbrook''. White (1828–1890) was a member of the pioneering Hunter Valley family of pastoralists. After a short period as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The New South Wales Legislative Assembly is the lower of the two houses of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The upper house is the New South Wales Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament Ho ...
between 1864 and 1868, in 1873 White bought ''Cranbrook'' (which was built for Robert Tooth
Robert Tooth (28 May 1821 in Cranbrook, Kent, England – 19 September 1893 in Bedford, England) was one of three brothers of Sydney's Tooth brewery family. He built two of Sydney's grandest houses, Cranbrook House and The Swifts.
Early li ...
in 1859), directly opposite ''Fairwater''.[ In March 1882, Francis Edward Joseph purchased the leasehold title from James White for the sum of A£500 (plus the annual rental of A£52). Joseph (1858–?) was the only son of Samuel Aaron Joseph (1824–1898), MLA and MLC. Joseph is generally referred to as a stockbroker by profession. Joseph adopted his wife's family name (Carnegy) in 1915 on inheriting the feudal barony of Lour in Angus, Scotland.][
''Fairwater'' was constructed for Joseph in 1882 to a design by arguably the most original architect to practice in Australia in the last quarter of the nineteenth century – John Horbury Hunt (1838–1904). Hunt was a Canadian born architect who arrived in Sydney in 1863. Closely affiliated with the Bishop of ]Armidale
Armidale is a city in the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales, Australia. Armidale had a population of 24,504 as of June 2018. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018. It is the administrative centre for the Northern Tablelands region. It ...
and Grafton, and the White family of pastoralists, Hunt's work is particularly evident in New England
New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces ...
and the Hunter Valley
The Hunter Region, also commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, Australia, extending from approximately to north of Sydney. It contains the Hunter River and its tributaries with highland areas to the north and so ...
.[
The Josephs resided at the house, which was called ''Fairwater'' from , for the period 1883 and 1887. During 1888 to 1889 the property was leased to Thomas Forster Knox (1849–1919), son of Sir Edward Knox, the founder of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., and later chairman of this company. The Josephs returned to occupy the house in 1890 and continued to reside there for most of that decade up to 1897 when the house was again tenanted, initially in 1897 by Thomas Buckland (the son of the merchant, pastoralist, and banker – Thomas Buckland), and then by the Royal Navy for the years 1899 and 1901.][
]
Fairfax family ownership
The Fairfax family
Members of the Fairfax Family were prominent as Australian media proprietors, especially in the area of newspaper publishing through the company John Fairfax and Sons (later known as Fairfax Media, although the Fairfax family no longe ...
ownership of ''Fairwater'' commenced in late 1900 with the assignment of the leasehold of 2 acres and 13 perches to James Oswald Fairfax. The purchase price of the leasehold title was A£5,350. James Oswald Fairfax (1863–1928) was the third son of the proprietor of ''The Sydney Morning Herald
''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper ...
'', Sir James Reading Fairfax (1834–1919), and grandson of the founder of that newspaper – John Fairfax
John Fairfax (24 October 1804 – 16 June 1877) was an English-born journalist, company director, politician, librarian and newspaper owner, known for the incorporation of the major newspapers of modern-day Australia.
Early life
Fairfax was bo ...
(1804–1877). In March 1909 J. O. Fairfax bought out the leasehold title to the 2 acres 13 perches from the Cooper family.[ Following the acquisition of freehold title Fairfax engaged the Sydney architect John Williamson Manson of Manson and Pickering to further remodel the Hunt house, with alterations being undertaken sometime after 1910. Manson (-1922) was Scottish born and trained in Glasgow in the office of Alexander "Greek" Thomson (1817–1875). He arrived in Sydney in the mid-1880s. George A. Taylor's (the publisher of Building) obituary of Manson stated that "he was one of the greatest architects of our time".][
After the death of Sir James Oswald Fairfax in 1928, the title to the property was transferred in 1930 to his widow, Lady (Mabel Alice Emmeline) Fairfax (1871–1965), son, ]Warwick Oswald Fairfax
Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax (19 December 1901 – 14 January 1987) was an Australian businessman prominent in the arts as a philanthropist, journalist and playwright. He was a member of the wealthy Fairfax family of media proprietors.
Biography ...
(1901–1987), and brother and power of attorney, Geoffrey Evan Fairfax (1861–1930).[ Following the death of Lady Fairfax in 1965, the title to the property was transferred to Warwick Oswald Fairfax in August 1966. Warwick and his family moved permanently into ''Fairwater'' in late 1968. Warwick Oswald Fairfax (1901–1987) joined staff of ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' in 1927, and was appointed director in 1927. Following the death of his father in 1928, Warwick was appointed managing director and chairman of directors in 1930. Following the incorporation of John Fairfax Ltd. in 1956 he was appointed chairman, a position he retained until 1977. He was knighted in 1967.][
Following the death of Sir Warwick in 1987, the house was lived in by his widow, Lady Mary Fairfax.]Clive Lucas
Clive Leslie Lucas (born 14 November 1943) is an Australian restoration architect and was once the principal and founding partner of the firm Clive Lucas, Stapleton & Partners – Architects and Heritage Consultants now known as Lucas Stapleton ...
, Stapleton & Partners Pty Ltd, 1999 Also in 1987 their son, Warwick Fairfax
Warwick Fairfax (born December 1960) is an Australian businessman and consultant based in the United States. He was well known in the 1990s as the media heir and business tycoon who privatised the publicly listed media company, John Fairfax Hold ...
privatised the publicly-listed media company, only for it to collapse (in a major stockmarket downturn) three years later.[Macken, 2017, 4.] Lady Mary Fairfax (née
A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...
Marie Wein, 1922–2017) established the Australian Opera Auditions in 1964, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera (commonly known as the Met) is an American opera company based in New York City, resident at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, currently situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The company is operat ...
in New York. This was the first of a string of charitable organisations connected with the arts which she joined or initiated. She had lived at Fairwater since 1968, where she conducted a salon where guests were able to admire the art works of Rodin, Epstein, Dobell and Degas. Among those she entertained were dancer Rudolf Nureyev, politician Pierre Trudeau, actor Phyllis Diller, entertainer Liberace, actor Glenda Jackson, Emilio Pucci and Imelda Marcos, first lady of the Philippines. The Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans are a professional Australian rules football club based in Sydney, New South Wales. The men's team competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), and the women's team in the AFL Women's (AFLW). The Swans also field a reser ...
were launched at ''Fairwater''. In 1973 it was the scene of a ball for 1000 to celebrate the opening of Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architec ...
. Another famous party at the house was the Concourse of Canine Elegance. Lady Fairfax was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
(OBE) in 1976, a Member of the Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...
(AM) in 1988, and a Companion of the Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...
(AC) in 2005, for "service to the community of wide ranging social and economic benefit through support and philanthropy for ongoing medical research initiatives, improved health care opportunities, nurturing artistic talent in young performers, and preservation of diverse cultural heritage". Lady Fairfax was still active socially in the late 1990s. Lady Fairfax had stated publicly that she planned to bequeath ''Fairwater'' to the people of NSW when she died. Her death came on 18 September 2017, aged 95.[ For nearly 60 years, Lady Fairfax had an impact on the social, artistic, philanthropic, political and cultural life of not just Sydney, but the entire country. Since she became media scion Warwick Fairfax's third wife in 1959, Lady Fairfax had assumed the position of First Lady of a large and influential media empire, which published prestigious newspapers including ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', '']The Age
''The Age'' is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, ''The Age'' primarily serves Victoria (Australia), Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Austral ...
'' and ''The Australian Financial Review
''The Australian Financial Review'' (abbreviated to the ''AFR'') is an Australian business-focused, compact daily newspaper covering the current business and economic affairs of Australia and the world. The newspaper is based in Sydney, New Sou ...
'', as well as a vast network of magazines, radio and television stations.[Hornery, 2017, 1][
Under the publicly-released terms of Lady Fairfax's will, all live-in staff members employed by Lady Mary at the time of her death can continue to live-in at ''Fairwater''.
]
Cannon-Brookes family ownership
In September 2018, Fairwater was sold for "close to $100 million" to Mike Cannon-Brookes
Michael Cannon-Brookes (born 17 November 1979) is an Australian billionaire, co-founder, and co-CEO of the software company Atlassian. Cannon-Brookes often carries the epithet of ''accidental billionaire'' after he and his business partner Sco ...
and his wife Annie Cannon-Brookes, making it the most expensive house in Australia. Mike Cannon-Brookes
Michael Cannon-Brookes (born 17 November 1979) is an Australian billionaire, co-founder, and co-CEO of the software company Atlassian. Cannon-Brookes often carries the epithet of ''accidental billionaire'' after he and his business partner Sco ...
is the co-founder of Australian software company Atlassian
Atlassian Corporation () is an Australian software company that develops products for software developers, project managers and other software development teams. The company is domiciled in Delaware, with global headquarters in Sydney, Australi ...
.
Description
''Fairwater'' is set on facing Sydney Harbour
Port Jackson, consisting of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, is the ria or natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The harbour is an inlet of the Tasman Sea (p ...
and in 2017 had an estimated value of approximately A$100 million.
Property, grounds and stables
The retaining wall
Retaining walls are relatively rigid walls used for supporting soil laterally so that it can be retained at different levels on the two sides.
Retaining walls are structures designed to restrain soil to a slope that it would not naturally keep to ...
s are of rubble construction with no mortar in the bedding joints. The stone is sandstone
Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm) silicate grains. Sandstones comprise about 20–25% of all sedimentary rocks.
Most sandstone is composed of quartz or feldspar (both silicates) ...
, probably local.[ The front (carriage) drive is surfaced in asphalt with brick edging. The brick edging is contemporary with the retaining walls.][
The grounds could not be considered particularly interesting examples of a ]formal garden
A formal garden is a garden with a clear structure, geometric shapes and in most cases a symmetrical layout. Its origin goes back to the gardens which are located in the desert areas of Western Asia and are protected by walls. The style of a forma ...
style. It does however retain a large area, with extensive lawns towards the harbour and a number of mature and fine specimens of native and exotic trees such as a Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii), Port Jackson figs (Ficus rubiginosa), silky oaks (Grevillea robusta), camphor laurels (Cinnamomum camphora) and jacarandas (J.mimosifolia), which are indicative of earlier phases of occupation from, conceivably, the 1870s.[modified, Read, S., 6/2006.] The property contains a particularly fine specimen of twin-trunked Bunya pine and an unusually large Southern/evergreen magnolia of note in the lower rear garden to the beach. The front garden and driveway
A driveway (also called ''drive'' in UK English) is a type of private road for local access to one or a small group of structures, and is owned and maintained by an individual or group.
Driveways rarely have traffic lights, but some that bear ...
is a private glen of trees of massive proportions and scale. This area is dominated by the camphor laurels in the central turning area to the residence, while the upper area to the front property boundary is dominated by large Port Jackson figs with massive coalesced aerial roots and extensive buttressing. The canopies of these trees extend to the carriageway. The intertwined and entangled canopies of all these trees form a closed and wild woodland garden
A woodland garden is a garden or section of a garden that includes large trees and is laid out so as to appear as more or less natural woodland, though it is often actually an artificial creation. Typically it includes plantings of flowering shrub ...
of great aesthetic appeal. In addition, this canopy is topped by two very tall emergent silky oaks which are amongst the largest in the municipality. These trees are native to the subtropical rainforests of northern NSW and south-eastern Queensland. Another specimen of this species of similar age and structure is located in the neighbouring property of 574 New South Head Road.[ All these trees are notable as typical of plantings in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their size and scale lend themselves to grand landscape schemes appropriate for early large estates. The lush green foliage of these trees continues a general theme throughout the harbourside suburbs and their position and size make them visually significant from the harbour, local environs and particularly on the approaches along New South Head Road. Moreover, the large neighbouring estate of ''Elaine'' 550 New South Head Road and especially the neighbouring Council Chambers/Blackburn Gardens (former 'Redleaf') property have important collections of historic species and they visually support this planting theme.][WMC, 1991][
]
Summary of listed trees
The 1991 Woollahra Significant Tree Register lists the following trees located on ''Fairwater'':[added by Stuart Read, noted later in S.T.R. text as significant proportions.]
*1 Bunya Pine (''Araucaria bidwillii
''Araucaria bidwillii'', commonly known as the bunya pine and sometimes referred to as the false monkey puzzle tree, is a large evergreen coniferous tree in the plant family Araucariaceae. It is found naturally in south-east Queensland Austral ...
'')
*3 Camphor Laurels ('' Cinnamommum camphora'')
*2 Port Jackson Figs (''Ficus rubiginosa
''Ficus rubiginosa'', the rusty fig or Port Jackson fig (''damun'' in the Dharug language), is a species of flowering plant native to eastern Australia in the genus ''Ficus''. Beginning as a seedling that grows on other plants (hemiepiphyte) or ...
'')
*2 Silky Oaks (''Grevillea robusta
''Grevillea robusta'', commonly known as the southern silky oak, silk oak or silky oak, silver oak or Australian silver oak, is a flowering plant in the family Proteaceae. It is a tree, the largest species in its genus but is not closely rela ...
'')
*1 ''Magnolia grandiflora
''Magnolia grandiflora'', commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae native to the Southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to East Texas. Reaching in height, it is a ...
''.
Stables
The stable is of brick construction with a timber-framed gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system used, which reflects climate, material availability, and aesth ...
roof. The bricks used in the construction, being a dark red, are different in colour to that found in the main house.[
]
House
The residence is a double storey structure of brick construction with a timber-framed roof originally constructed in 1882 with additions , and in particular from 1910s. The exterior appearance is characterised by the use of a brick, which is pale yellow in colour. The roof is covered in slate tiles. Additions made often include the use of sandstone (i.e. in the veranda
A veranda or verandah is a roofed, open-air gallery or porch, attached to the outside of a building. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure.
Although the form ''veran ...
h and carriage porch
A porch (from Old French ''porche'', from Latin ''porticus'' "colonnade", from ''porta'' "passage") is a room or gallery located in front of an entrance of a building. A porch is placed in front of the facade of a building it commands, and form ...
) which is very reddish in colour.[
The windows throughout are timber framed, being either single or double hung ]sashes
Sashes Island is an island in the River Thames in England at Cookham Lock near Cookham, Berkshire. It is now open farmland, but has Roman and Anglo-Saxon connections.
The island is located between Hedsor Water and the present navigation cha ...
, with some casement window
A casement window is a window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges at the side. They are used singly or in pairs within a common frame, in which case they are hinged on the outside. Casement windows are often held open using a cas ...
s. Most windows are fitted with a set of timber louvred shutters. The window glazing, in addition to the predominant use of clear glazing, also includes diamond patterned leadlight
Leadlights, leaded lights or leaded windows are decorative windows made of small sections of glass supported in lead cames. The technique of creating windows using glass and lead came to be known as came glasswork. The term 'leadlight' could be ...
, and stained glass.[
The roof is a series of timbered ]gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system used, which reflects climate, material availability, and aesth ...
s with battened ends and pebble dash finish. These gables are the work of Manson and Pickering, architects, and are in the Federation Arts and Crafts
Federation architecture is the architectural style in Australia that was prevalent from around 1890 to 1915. The name refers to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Au ...
style embellishing Hunt's simple form by a series of projecting bay window
A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building and forming a bay in a room.
Types
Bay window is a generic term for all protruding window constructions, regardless of whether they are curved or angular, or r ...
s, and balconies. The south elevation fronting New South Head Road includes a rusticated large sandstone carriage porch, and the north elevation fronting Double Bay has a wide verandah with a colonnade
In classical architecture, a colonnade is a long sequence of columns joined by their entablature, often free-standing, or part of a building. Paired or multiple pairs of columns are normally employed in a colonnade which can be straight or curv ...
of sandstone columns
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. ...
in the Doric order. Manson and Pickering added both of these features in .[
The interior of the house is characterised both by the need to provide service and living wings, and the fact that the house is principally a conglomeration of the work of two architects – John Horbury Hunt and Manson and Pickering. The lower floor is a suite of living and service rooms, and the upper for the living and bathrooms for both staff and occupants. Individual elements of note are the stained glass picture windows of 1882, ]chimney
A chimney is an architectural ventilation structure made of masonry, clay or metal that isolates hot toxic exhaust gases or smoke produced by a boiler, stove, furnace, incinerator, or fireplace from human living areas. Chimneys are typic ...
-pieces, door furniture
Door furniture (British and Australian English) or door hardware (North American English) refers to any of the items that are attached to a door or a drawer to enhance its functionality or appearance.
Design of door furniture is an issue to ...
, a painted ceiling of 1882, and mosaic
A mosaic is a pattern or image made of small regular or irregular pieces of colored stone, glass or ceramic, held in place by plaster/mortar, and covering a surface. Mosaics are often used as floor and wall decoration, and were particularly pop ...
floor of 1882.[
]
Condition
As at 24 December 2013, the physical condition was excellent. The archaeological potential is medium.[ Of high integrity in view of the retention to date of the original leasehold (made in 1863) allotment size.][ Of high integrity in view of the continuation of the historical use of the house with principal and staff quarters.][ Of high integrity as a large family residence which at its core is John Horbury Hunt's simple, but avant-garde design, embellished by the Manson and Pickering alterations.][
]
Modifications and dates
*Addition of the library and relocation of the stair hall, s.
*Construction of stable, s.
*Additions of the ground floor drawing room, port-cochere, verandah on harbour side, and an upstairs sitting room, . Manson and Pickering, architects.
*Alterations to the upper floor of the servant's wing, 1924. Weston and Hoare, architects.
*Additional verandah on the second floor on the elevation fronting Double Bay. 1926. Stuart Bros. builders.
*Construction of garage, and alteration to stable. 1930. Neave and Berry, architects.
*Additional first floor bathroom off main bedroom and sitting room. 1936. Stacey A. Neave, architect.
*Alteration to the window of the library. 1952. Stuart Bros., builders.
*Alterations to upgrade bathroom fittings, staff quarters, etc., .
*Construction of swimming pool and reinforced concrete retaining wall, 1970.[
]
Further information
Land title is in one lot, and closely approximates original leasehold title issued in 1863, with additions made in 1924 and 1936. Land title is inclusive of Seven Shillings Beach. Listing should exclude swimming pool and associated reinforced concrete wall.[
]
Heritage listing
As at 8 June 2006, ''Fairwater'', is a large domestic residence constructed in 1882 with additions made in and 1910, with former stable (s) and garage (1930), situated on a large suburban allotment fronting Port Jackson
Port Jackson, consisting of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, is the ria or natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The harbour is an inlet of the Tasman Sea (p ...
with mature garden landscaping including notable trees. The property is of rare historic, aesthetic, social and scientific significance in consideration of its continuing association with the Fairfax family, and as a large late-nineteenth century residence (with Edwardian era additions), of high integrity, designed by John Horbury Hunt.[
''Fairwater'' was listed on the ]New South Wales State Heritage Register
The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...
on 27 March 2000 having satisfied the following criteria.[
The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.
''Fairwater'' is of historical significance in consideration of its long association with the Australian publishing family company founded by John Fairfax in 1841, whose descendants have lived in the house since to the present. It is also historically significant for it association with the Joseph family of merchants who built the house in 1882, and the architect they employed to build it – John Horbury Hunt.][
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.
Aesthetically, ''Fairwater'' is an excellent and rare example of the combined works of John Horbury Hunt and James Williamson Manson, the architect who sympathetically enlarged the Hunt era house to a form that is basically seen today. The exterior includes excellent examples of face brick work with rusticated sandstone details, while the interior retains period finishes and fittings such as stained glass picture windows, painted ceiling, decorative mosaic floor, door leafs and door furniture, panelled walls, and chimney-pieces which are now rare in consideration of their integrity and quality. The grounds contain an extensive system of sandstone retaining walls which is significant in consideration of its age and rarity, and a number of mature trees (such as a Bunya Pine, Port Jackson Figs, Silky Oaks, Camphor Laurels, and Jacarandas), dating, in part from the initial European improvement of the area following subdivision.][
The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
''Fairwater'' has social value in that it is recognised by the community as a place of high historic interest in consideration of its association with the Fairfax family, and as a place which demonstrates through its siting, scale and quality, a style of living of the upper middle classes which has now largely vanished.][
The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.
''Fairwater'' has research value as a rare example of a large Victorian/Edwardian domestic residence and grounds, which retain a high degree of integrity in both its individual components and planning.][
The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.
The association between ''Fairwater'' and the Fairfax family in view of the longevity of ownership and occupation by two generations, Sir James Oswald Fairfax (1863–1928) and Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax (1901–1987), of managing directors of this family publishing company.][ The association between ''Fairwater'' and the Joseph family in view of the family's notable commercial and political achievements.][ The association between ''Fairwater'' and the retention of a land title boundary, which fronts Port Jackson.][ The location of ''Fairwater'' within an area of heritage items and its contribution to this waterfront precinct of high aesthetic value.][ The location of ''Fairwater'' on the foreshore of Double Bay in consideration of the views of Port Jackson.][
The hard landscaping feature of the stone retaining walls being both part of the earlier build of the house and as an element which set the garden and house within the land allotment.][ The plantings within a large land holding situated on the foreshore of Port Jackson.][
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.
The association between ''Fairwater'' and J. W. Manson in view of the house being one of a number of new buildings undertaken by Manson and Pickering in the local area during the period -1912.][
]
See also
*Australian residential architectural styles
Australian residential architectural styles have evolved significantly over time, from the early days of structures made from relatively cheap and imported corrugated iron (which can still be seen in the roofing of historic homes) to more sophis ...
References
Bibliography
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Attribution
{{commons category, Fairwater, Double Bay
New South Wales State Heritage Register
Houses in Double Bay, New South Wales
Homesteads in New South Wales
Federation style architecture
Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register
1882 establishments in Australia
Houses completed in 1882
Fairfax family (publishers)
John Horbury Hunt buildings