Bellevue was constructed c.1896 and designed
by local architect Ambrose Thornley and is a compromised example of a
modest late Victorian dwelling with some characteristics of the Italianate
style. It is one of the few surviving examples of mid-late Victorian
dwellings that characterised Jarrett's Point on the Blackwattle Bay
foreshore. The dwelling's form and general aesthetic character is
representative of its architectural style, the late 19th century period of
construction and the phase of residential development in the local area at
the time. However the comprehensive loss of detailing, joinery and
ornamentation in association with its dilapidated state has eroded the
representative formal aesthetic values of the place.
Bellevue is significant to the local area for its landmark aesthetic
values associated with its prominent siting on Jarrett's Point in the open
space setting of Blackwattle Bay Park. The dwelling is highly visible from
a number of significant vantage points in the area and is a significant
and characteristic feature of the Glebe foreshore area. Bellevue was also
the focus of the ocal community during the mid-1970s when it was saved
from demolition by developers through the actions of ardent local
residents (City Plan Heritage, 2005)
The growth of industry in Glebe, especially along the foreshores, had been encouraged by the development of
wharfage in Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays. By 1945 there
were 158 factories in Glebe, and they employed 4,496 workers. Bellevue is now derelict. The City of Sydney’s 2004
Glebe Foreshore Plan provides for its restoration.
History
Alexander Brodie Spark (of Tusculum and
Tempe House) purchased this site as part of his 20 acre lot in the Church
subdivision of 1828.
In the 1840s depression Spark became bankrupt and his land was sold.
By 1870 Mary Chisholm owned large portions of the original grant, and she
commenced the subdivision and sale of the remaining lots in 1873. Ambrose
Thornley owned a house near the point at this time (west of the Bellevue
& Venetia lots), and a bathing house (later known as Homecroft) had
been built c.1858 on the foreshore of the land owned by James Rothwell,
immediately west of lot 45/Venetia). A second bathing house was built in
the shallows of the adjacent (to Lot 45) foreshore.
Lots 45 & 46 adjacent to Rothwell's land were bought by William
Jarrett in 1873, with a mortgage from the Industrial & Provident
Permanent Benefit Building Society, of which Jarrett was manager. Jarrett
had arrived in Sydney in 1853 and in 1860 became licensee for the
Tradesmans Arms Hotel in Leichhardt. He was a publican until 1870 when he
started his association with Industrial Buildings Societies.
William Jarrett is first listed in the 1876 Sands Directory as a resident
of Glebe Point, having previously resided in Glebe Road, suggesting he
built Venetia (on lots 45 & 46) in 1875).
Ambrose Thornley Senior, who already owned the land and had built his
house Drayton Lodge to the west of Jarrett's land, bought lot 47 on the
point.(the site of Bellevue). In 1876 he sold lot 47 to William Jarrett.
Jarrett was a Glebe Alderman for 3 years from 1872 and gave evidence to
the Government's Select Committee on Immigration in 1880. Venetia was
known to be full of art pieces, many collected on the Jarrett's overseas
travels. A very strict father, his children and their spouses continued to
live at Venetia, even after their marriages.
By 1880 a row of 7 houses had been built in then Kennedy Street (renamed
in 1909 as an extension of Leichhardt Street). Jarrett also built a row of
4 houses further west in Oxley Street. In 1890 a residence, The Poplars,
was built opposite Venetia.
Jarrett built a second house Bellevue, adjoining Venetia in 1896. It was
designed by Ambrose Thornley Junior, an architect who lived nearby in
Florence Villa, and is typical of Thornley's designs, which included the
Glebe Town Hall. Thornley was declared bankrupt in the 1890s and became a
publican.
Bellevue is reputed to have been built for Jarrett's daughter, although
the first occupant was Ewin Cecilia and J G Warden moved in a year later.
It was described in the family history as a 'multi-bedroom single storey
building with large entertaining areas and numerous basement rooms'.
Jarrett died in 1901, and it was not until 1913 that Bellevue and Venetia
were sold to solicitor William Archibold Windeyer, in July 1913. Extensive
reclamation and sea walls had extended Jarrett's original lots (viz. 1913
plan of Windeyer's purchase).
The 1905 Sands Directory shows Joseph Stinson (who owned the largest real
estate agency in Glebe at the time) occupying Venetia and Thomas Riley
occupying Bellevue. This was still the case in 1914, however from 1915
there are no further listings of Venetia, suggesting it was demolished by
Windeyer in 1914/5, soon after his purchase.
Bellevue was occupied by Mrs Lena Reilly in 1920, and from 1924 until 1925
by George Cavanagh. From 1925 the transition of the Point from residential
to industrial uses commenced. 53 Leichhardt Street for a short time became
a lighterage for McEnnally Bros. & Co. Ltd. While the sites of Venetia
and The Poplars, together with Bellevue were incorporated into the
Vanderfield & Reid Ltd. Timber Yards. 49-53 Leichhardt Street became
Sylvester Stride's shipbreaking yards. The crane which remains on the
foreshore today (2004) to the rear of numbers 49 & 51B was part of
Stride's operation. Although Stride demolished parts of the houses on his
site, they remained relatively intact during his ownership, number 49
becoming part of the offices for the salvage and wrecking business.
Windeyer sold his land on the Point to Property Purchase P/L in 1939.
Vanderfield & Reid Ltd. Bought the property in 1948. The c.1950 survey
by the City of Sydney shows the extent of their timber yard holdings,
north and south of Leichhardt Street. They also extended their holdings
into the bay, as large numbers of logs were floated ready for processing.
A c1970 photo shows a building (now demolished) had been attached to the
rear of Bellevue (its south).
In 1970 the extensive Vanderfield & Reid holdings were sold to
Korvette Hardware P/L, with mortgage finance provided by Parkes
Developments P/L and CAGA Finance. Parkes became known as the developer of
the sites. At this time the foreshore land was zoned industrial, and
described in the "The Glebe" newspaper as "a disaster area
- deserted timber yards, empty fuel drums littered about, derelict houses
and rusting hulks of barges moored to rotting jetties". Only the
Maritime Services Board opposed the rezoning of the land to residential.
As part of the rezoning of the Parkes' Land, and the approval process for
a large apartment development for the site, the developer agreed to set
aside land on the foreshore for a park. This was assisted by community
activists and members of the Glebe Society who assisted in particular
opposing the demolition of Bellevue.
A condition of development approval was for the restoration of Bellevue
for community use, however Parkes commenced demolition. Insisting that it
was an unfortunate misunderstanding, Parkes halted demolition but
subsequently failed to restore Bellevue's fabric. Parkes also dumped fill
which was excavated from the apartment sites onto the Bellevue site.
Leichhardt Council subsequently purchased the foreshore parkland,
including Bellevue, at the end of 1981.
A section 130 Order was placed over Bellevue on 16 May 1980 to provide
time to investigate the retention and re-use of the building.
Blackwattle Bay Park to the south of Bellevue was designed by Stuart
Pittendrigh & Associates, who also designed the Reserves at Simmons
Point and Peacock Point in Balmain. It was opened in August 1983. Part of
the park was created to the west of the Strides site and in 1985 the
Strides site was purchased by the then Department of Environment &
Planning, for open space to link the two parts of Blackwattle Bay Park.
However after the original residences on the site were assessed as having
heritage significance, the foreshore was subdivided and retained as a
link, while the houses at 49, 51/51A, 51B and 53 had their squatters
evicted and were sold with caveats which ensure their restoration and
retention. The 5 houses were sold for $800,000.
The foreshore land was transferred to Leichhardt Council in 1987. Council
had limited funds to restore Bellevue.
After LEP listing as an item of state significance in 1984 it was
re-roofed with slate, assisted by a $17,000 $ for $ grant from the
Heritage Conservation fund administered by the Heritage Council. As one of
the conditions attached to the assistance the owner applied for the making
of a Permanent Conservation Order over the item. To ensure the long term
protection of the item the Heritage Council at its meeting of 6 February
1986 recommended to the Minister that a Permanent Conservation Order be
placed over Bellevue. The Permanent Conservation Order was gazetted on 25
July 1986.
In 1984 the Glebe Society surveyed local residents and community
organisations on possible uses for Bellevue. Council prepared sketch
plans, allocating the upper storey for public use and a scheme of funding
was presented to Council - this plan did not proceed. In 1988 the
Australian Society of Authors expressed interest in establishing its
headquarters in Bellevue, with a low level of use and some public access.
Changes in Council caused this proposal to lapse.
In 1991 Leichhardt Council called for tenders for the lease, restoration
and commercial use of Bellevue, and made a new wharf a condition of its
development. Successful tenderer Anthony Vick & Associates was to
restore Bellevue and establish a restaurant with water access from a new
wharf. The approval also allowed for a kiosk, caretaker's flat and 20
parking spaces. By 1993 the approval had lapsed. After extensive public
consultation, the Glebe Society favoured using Bellevue for a 'kiosk,
public toilets, park equipment storage and a local environment museum.'
In 1996 Anthony Vick lodged a new application for a large residence,
coffee shop/kiosk, gazebo and toilets, which was refused.
In the late 1990s Council also refused an application to use Bellevue as a
restaurant with part of the park area providing 22 parking spaces. In 1998
further community consultation occurred when EDAW P/L prepared a
Management Plan for Blackwattle Bay Park and Bellevue. Despite the many
proposals and community consultations, Bellevue remains derelict and
fenced to prevent public access. (City Plan Heritage, 2004)
In 1994 the heritage Council approved work for the conversion of the
building into a restaurant and caretakers flat and construction of a
kiosk, store and toilets within the courtyard of the property.(this did
not proceed).
Bellevue was listed on the State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Special
thanks to http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/
|
