16 Tottenham Street, Granville  

Federation period cottage
Constructed: 1908
Listings:

Statement of Significance

16 Tottenham Street is significant as part of a group of small scale residential buildings in Tottenham Street, Granville. The group is largely intact externally and is significant for the variety of building styles and as a good representative example of early cottages dating from around the turn of the century.

The buildings are significant for their form, scale and character which gives a good indication of the socio-economic make up of the community at the time of construction. The group gives a good representative cross section of modest scale residences of the turn of the century period and their location close to Parramatta and the railway provides evidence of the influence of these factors on the early development of Holroyd.

Recommendations

The building should be retained on the LEP. There should be no alterations or additions which change the form, style or fabric of the front of the building. The existing open verandah should not be closed in, the roof line should not be modified with roof additions or any future redevelopment which alters the form of the roof from the front.

Description

The subject building is a single storey weatherboard cottage situated in a group of similar cottages in Tottenham Street. The building features an open front verandah and half gabled roof clad in corrugated steel with two face brick chimneys with single terracotta pots. The verandah features timber floor board supported on brick footings and a corrugated steel bullnose roof supported on simply detailed timber posts with timber fan brackets.

The front façade is symmetrical with a central timber panelled door with glass panels and toplight over, framed by two double hung windows and decorative sills. The profile of the weatherboards at the front of the cottage are wider than at the side. The rear features a skillion roofed section which spans across the width of the building. It would appear that the cottage retains its original subdivision block and is possibly two blocks, since its size is unusual for the area.

It is set back from the front and southern boundaries, leaving a large front and side yard featuring mature eucalypts and melaleucas. Along the southern boundary is a gravel driveway leading to a garage at the rear. Tottenham Street is a small one-way street. To the south is a face brick residence of a later style. To the north is No. 18 (Item 118G). Opposite and to the east is the railway.

Modifications / Condition

The building is intact and in good condition. It is well maintained and recently painted at the time of survey. A centrally located rendered brick and concrete feature steps up to the verandah, a typical feature and possibly added in the 1920s. It appears that some work has been undertaken to the roof. A double garage has been added to the rear of the property.

History

The subject property formed part of 100 acres originally granted to John Harris in 1794. By 1872 Harris had increased his holding to over 157 acres. Subdivision of the area began after the railway came through in 1855. By 1884 it appears that much of Harris' grant had been subdivided into individual allotments. Thomas James Baker purchased a number of the allotments on Tottenham Street, south of Short Street (present Raymond Street) including the subject site, Lots 34 and 35 in 1884.

In 1888 John Mills, Auctioneer purchased Lots 27-28 and 31-38 of this subdivision. He subsequently purchased Lots 39 and 40 in 1910. It appears that John Mills was declared bankrupt in 1905 and on application to the assignee the land was transferred to Lancelot Lloyd in 1906 and then George Mobbs, Auctioneer. Lots 34-36 were purchased by Daniel Herbert Chapman, Saw Manufacturer in 1906 and Lots 34 and 35 by Augustus Wright, Blacksmith in 1908.

It appears the cottage was constructed for Wright shortly after, as he is first listed in the Sands in 1910. Wright resided at the property until 1953, when it was purchased by Augustus Stanley Wright. The property was purchased by the present owner Alice Wright in 1983. The cottage has been owned by the one family since 1908. This location, in close proximity to the early settlement of Parramatta and Harris Park Station, provides evidence of the influence of these factors in the early development of Holroyd.

 

---

All pictures and text are copyright Holroyd City Council or other copyright holder. Permission is granted to print a paper copy of this computer image for your personal use provided it is credited to Holroyd City Council and the citation is shown.

To obtain further information or a reproduction quality copy of any image contact Holroyd City Council by phone 9840-9840, fax 9840-9734 or email web2@holroyd.nsw.gov.au. Please ensure you quote the citation of the image you wish to obtain. We will advise you of the fees payable.