A Modern Grand Villa

 In the late 19th century the grand villas of the 1880 period in Brisbane were built. A number of them exist today now consumed by suburban growth.  The question to be asked will the grand mansions of the late 20th century and early 21st century still be standing in 100 years? 

There is a great parallel to be drawn between the two styles of homes even though they are 100 years apart in design and materials used. They first grand villas were statements of style, wealth and position within social class and also the position of the land they stood on. Today's grand mansions or villas reflect the same criteria but in most cases the difference is the land upon which they are built. The availability of land space has created challenges for architects to design homes of magnificent proportions but using the techniques of modern building. The home shown below is a very good example of the modern grand villa.

The house above at the time of writing was for sale. There appeard an article on this house in the Courier Mail of August 2020.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/iconic-brisbane-home-built-by-entrepreneur-james-penny-for-sale/news-story/5506e40ed46ae04178a236a445950b55

Espie Dod's House

This building has seen a number of different iterations over nearly 120 years. Looking at it today it still has a modern appearance and has stood the test of time. When you see it cradled by the surrounding architecture it somehow forms a centre piece within the vast range of architectural styles present. Robin Dod's was arguably the leading architect here in Brisbane at the turn of the 20th century. He designed this house at 97 Wickham Terrace for his brother Espie the Queensland Government's Medical Officer.

The following taken from the web site Must Do Brisbane 

"This unusual little town house nestled at the base of Silverton tower was designed by architect Robin Dods and built in 1906 for his brother Dr. Espie Dods as a combined residence and medical consulting room. The design was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement which was a common influence in Scottish Dods’s work.

Originally the property stood next to the grand family home belonging to their stepfather Dr Charles Marks but it was demolished along with its grand weeping fig tree in 1982 to make way for the adjacent tower block.

Although Espie only lived and operated out of here for a few years before moving up the road to Callendar House it remained in the family and was rented out to doctors for ensuing decades until around 1980. After completion of Silverton the house was converted to a restaurant.

There is also a lower ground floor below which is not visible from the street and in its time it would have housed the servants, kitchen and scullery while the street level would have had the medical room/s at the front along with the bedrooms and living room of the family."

The following is the obituary for Espie Dods. He was found dead in his garage at his house in Wickhan Terrace in December 1930. He was 56 years of age and had been the Government Medical Officer for 29 years. 

Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Thursday 11 December 1930, page 55

________________________________________

OBITUARY.

Dr. J. Espie Dods.

THE death of Dr. J. Espie Dods, Government Medical Officer, occurred at his home in Wickham-terrace on December 6 with tragic suddenness. Although his professional engagements had been numerous and arduous in recent months, he had appeared in the best of health, and the news of his death came as a shock to all who had been intimately associated with him. His cheerful and kindly disposition had won him many friends, particularly among officers in the public service, and these regard his passing in the light of a personal loss. The late Dr. Dods was in his 56th year. He was born in London, but came to Queensland with his people when he was a child. His early education was received at the Brisbane Boys' Grammar School, from which he was sent to Edinburgh University to study medicine. Having obtained his degree he returned to Brisbane in 1899 and opened a practice. His immediate success placed him in the public eye, and two years later he was appointed Government Medical Officer, which position he held until the time of his death. He was Commonwealth Medical Officer in Brisbane until last year, and was medical referee for the A.M.P. Society in Queensland. After the war he was elected president of the Queensland branch of the B.M.A., and he was on the Queensland Council of that body for many years. He was president of the Queensland Club for four years in succession, and was a trustee of the club for a much longer period. An enviable war record was possessed by the late doctor, who served for three and a half years as medical officer in the Light Horse. He was badly wounded during an action on the Peninsula, and was awarded the D.S.O. and M.C. for valiant services rendered there. He was in action during the South African war also, being attached to the First Queens-land Contingent in a medical capacity. He is survived by his widow and four children.

Milford or The Green House

 This wonderful building designed by architect Claude Chambers can at times become lost in the street scape of upper Wickham Terrace. Appearing to be joined to Montpelier beside it this home was built in 1906 - 7 in the Queen Anne style. For some reasom it has become locally known as Green House.

The following is taken from John W. East's document "An Edwardian Architect in Brisbane"

"A further superb example of Chambers' vernacular version of the Queen Anne style can be seen at Milford, another house commissioned by William Davies, but this time as an investment. It was erected in 1906-7 on Wickham Terrace, beside the City Tabernacle. The tenant was a medical practitioner of Welsh origin, Thomas Howard Morgan, who had worked in Gympie in the late nineteenth century and was probably a personal friend of Davies. 

The house is of two storeys, built in timber on a brick base, with an iron roof. The design has the asymmetry typical of the Queen Anne style, and the polygonal turret which projects diagonally from one corner, beneath a bell-cast roof, is also typical. The bay windows under bracketed gables, which occur on two sides, and the elaborate infilling of those gables, are hallmarks of Queen Anne. The wide verandas, with their decorative timber posts, valances, and balustrades, are also typical. Internally the rooms are lined with tongue and groove boards, and have pressed metal cornices and ceilings, and fine fireplaces. The stair hall on the western side has a large arched window worked in timber, with a mock keystone. 

Dr Morgan lived at Milford (which he had named after his birthplace, Milford Haven) until his death in 1931. His widow remained there for some years after that. The building then became a boarding house, which was managed in conjunction with Montpelier next door (discussed below), which had also been built for William Davies. In 1946 the United Service Club purchased both buildings. "

The following is the obituary of Dr. Harry Morgan the first occupant of Milford. 

Brisbane Courier (Qld.1864 - 1933), Monday 19 October 1931, page 14

OBITUARY.

Dr. T. Howard Morgan.

On Saturday afternoon last Dr. T. Howard Morgan, M.D., F.R.C.S. (Edin.), M.R.C.P. (London), passed away at his residence, Milford, Wickham-terrace, Brisbane, after a long, trying illness. On account of his adherence to the highest ideals and ethics of his profession, his unselfish devotion, his sincere profession of Christianity, and his self-abnegation his passing will be a source of great regret to the many people with whom he came in contact. Born of humble parentage at Milford Haven, Wales on 3rd January, 1861, he was at the age of 11 years apprenticed to serve four years in learning the trade of grocery. Early-formed Christian ideals crystallised in his mind the ambition to embark on some profession of service and after much self denial and by his own unaided efforts, he was able in 1883 to enrol as a student of medicine at the University of Edinburgh, completing his studies in 1888, when he was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Medicine with the University bronze medal for high distinction.

He first practised his profession in Gympie, to which town, then a flourishing mining town, he came in 1889. He continued practice there until 1895, in which year he married Eleanor Kennedy, daughter of the late Robert Kennedy and Mrs. Isabel Kennedy, of Gympie. As a result of a cabled re-quest from Mr. Lawson Tait, of Birm-ingham Hospital, Dr. Morgan, with his bride, went to England to fill the posi-tion of medical assistant, to that famous gynaecologist, for which position there had been 199 unsuccessful applicants. He spent 12 months in this position, and six months at Middlesex Hospital, during which time he took his F.R.C.S. degree, in 1895, and his Doctorate of Medicine in 1896, both of the Edinburgh University. He was at the same time elected a life member of the Edinburgh Obstetrical Society.

Returning to Gympie in 1896 he resumed his practice there, and con- tinned until 1902, when he left for America and England for further post graduate work. In America he spent some months at the John Hopkins Memorial Hospital of Baltimore under Sir William Osler, of whom he was a personal friend, and some months at the Polyclinic at New York. Arriving in London in 1903 in the same year he presented himself for membership of the Royal College of Physicians, which degree he obtained with distinction, passing first in his group. Immediately thereafter he obtained the position of medical assistant to his personal friend, Sir Robert Philip, of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and following his appointment of clinical assistant to Dr. F. J. M'Cann, of the Samaritan Hospital for Women, London.

Dr. Morgan returned to Australia, and commenced practice at Wickham-terrace, Brisbane, in 1905, and since that date has had a distinguished prac-tice in this city. A sincere Christian gentleman, he has been associated with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Brisbane, since 1905, and in November, 1919, he was inducted as an elder of that church. He has also been actively connected with both the Methodist and Baptist Churches throughout Brisbane, in an honorary medical capacity. He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. T. John Bale, and two sons, Neville and Glenwyn. The funeral will leave St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at the conclusion of a service commencing at 2.30 p.m. today.

Returning to Gympie in 1896 he resumed his practice there, and con- tinned until 1902, when he left for America and England for further post graduate work. In America he spent some months at the John Hopkins Memorial Hospital of Baltimore under Sir William Osler, of whom he was a personal friend, and some months at the Polyclinic at New York. Arriving in London in 1903 in the same year he presented himself for membership of the Royal College of Physicians, which degree he obtained with distinction, passing first in his group. Immediately thereafter he obtained the position of medical assistant to his personal friend, Sir Robert Philip, of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and following his appointment of clinical assistant to Dr. F. J. M'Cann, of the Samaritan Hospital for Women, London.

Dr. Morgan returned to Australia, and commenced practice at Wickham-terrace, Brisbane, in 1905, and since that date has had a distinguished prac-tice in this city. A sincere Christian gentleman, he has been associated with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Brisbane, since 1905, and in November, 1919, he was inducted as an elder of that church. He has also been actively connected with both the Methodist and Baptist Churches throughout Brisbane, in an honorary medical capacity. He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. T. John Bale, and two sons, Neville and Glenwyn. The funeral will leave St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at the conclusion of a service commencing at 2.30 p.m. today.

 

Once Grand Mansion

February 23, 1937 The Courier Mail page 18 the article's heading was "Beauty and Utility Embodied in Modern Mansion" Hugh McMaster the manager of the Brisbane branch of the building company Stuart Brothers had just built his own mansion on Hamilton Drive. McMaster a builder by trade had the architect Eric P. Trewern design the home for him. The Stuart Brothers company and Trewern had previously completed commercial projects in Brisbane. There was obviously a relationship between the entities McMaster, Trewern and Stuart Brothers. So when Hugh McMaster wanted to make a statement and build his mansion he turned to one of the leading architects of the time.  

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 23 February 1937, page 18

________________________________________

Beauty and Utility Embodied in Modern Mansion

Mr. H. McMaster Builds a Hamilton Home 

A STUDY IN BRICK

Brisbane has returned to the construction of mansion homes. The new spirit in building of this description is embodied in the recently completed home of Mr. Hugh McMaster. director and manager in Queensland for Messrs. Stuart Bros., Ltd., building contractors, who are responsible for the construction of many new handsome buildings now in the course of erection in the city. In the spacious clays of the pioneering period of Queensland, mansion homes stood as landmarks in the suburbs. Because they belong to another generation in fact to another age many of these stately old homes have outlived their usefulness. The new mansion home, unlike its predecessors, is compact, possesses relatively little surrounding land, and its appointments are of the limousine age. Whereas the pioneers built with no glimpse of great economic and social changes ahead, and thus planned homes that required much upkeep, modern suburban mansions are so concisely planned that maintenance is reduced to a minimum. While beauty is incorporated in design and furnishing, utility is a paramount consideration, and thus these homes are calculated to be enduring in their usefulness.

 

Massive Proportions 

The massive proportions of the house contribute to its dignity. The exterior construction is entirely of face brick, and the roof tiles were selected to harmonise with the wall treatments. The colour scheme is restrained. In the design of the building a three storied effect in the front was created. The lower level has been treated in a series of arches, which are intended as the access to a fernery below a piazza, the arches of which harmonise. The piazza is on a level with the ground floor, on which are situated the day rooms a lounge, dining room, study, entrance hall, and staircase, which are en suite. On this floor, also, are the kitchen, maid's room, and maid's bathroom; The entrance to the house is imposing, the patterns of the brick archways themselves providing the required note of decoration. Off an entrance vestibule is the lounge, which is distinguished by a spacious bay window which houses an ingle nook with a delightful view of the river scenes At the far end of the room is a broad fireplace which has been treated in heringbone brickwork of variegated colours.. The dressings or the fireplace are in freestone. The wall paper patterns are in natural tones. These harmonise with the broad expanse of rich beige pile carpet, which continues V beneath a double-panelled doorway into the dining room. The lounge room furniture is in oak, and, by way of contrast, the dining room furniture is in maple. About both these rooms is an air of restfulness. The stairway, leading to the upper floor, is of the open stringer type, and its beauty is enhanced by a semiheaded window at a middle landing, which opens on to a balcony with a wrought iron balustrade. This balcony, together with an oriel window to the same elevation, creates a very fine artistic effect. 

Today it has been engulfed by today's modern architectural mansions and it may have lost its prominent position on the ridge overlooking the Brisbane River. Once up close to it and realising that this is almost a ninety year old design and in original state it is an impressive piece of home architecture. Once designed as grand in the then modern term with age, one can still see the beauty and grace of a grand mansion. It stands like one of those graceful wooden hull twin mastered yachts decked with polished wood and stainless fittings that when lying amongst eben the most modern of designs still has that appearance of a timeless beauty never to be reporoduced.

Casa Contenta E. P. Trewern

Another of the many Spanish Hollywood homes by Eric P. Trewern is this one built for his brother. One of the features is that the home sits on a smaller block and has been designed to suit the land. Today a garage has been added to the front. The home may not be done in the traditional white colour but there is something about the current colour that sits well with this classic home. Delightfully maintained and presented the home still catches the eye as you walk or drive past. In 1933 Eric P. Trewern wrote a feature piece on the home.

Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1926 - 1954), Sunday 11 June 1933, page 24

Lakkan The Third But Hollywood Spanish

This home called Lakkan is the third built for the Heaslop family. When the movies came to Brisbane in the 1920s the Californian house design was one commonly depicted and many admired the Spanish hacienda house style or what was to be commonly known as the Hollywood Spanish style. It was not only just Brisbane but across Australia. Those who wanted to be different and have that "hollywood" look created an industry in architecture and building based on the spanish style. The challenge was to adapt this hollywood movie star home look to the local climate and topography. 

Eric Percival Trewern or E. P. Trewern was one of Brisbane's renowned architecture masters of this style. His homes can still be found across the suburbs of Brisbane. In 1930 Carla Heaslop a very wealthy widow commissioned E. P. Trewern to design her "hollywood spanish" home. Mrs. Heaslop was the widow of the well known Brisbane businessman and merchant James Heaslop. He had died in 1922 leaving her a very extensive portfolio of investments in the Heaslop Trust. James Heaslop's estate in the form of realty and personatlty was granted to her and the total value was 48,147 pound. James had a very distinguished life in Brisbane. In 1882 he was an alderman in the South Brisbane Council and had been acquiring real estate as it was being developed and opened to public purchase. He initially had a grocery business in Stanley Street, South Brisbane and then a drapery business in later years. Carla his wife was a prominent lady in the Brisbane social circles at the turn of the 20th century. In 1909 a son James William Heaslop returned from his medical studies in Sydney to take up a position as resident medical officer at the Brisbane General Hospital. The parents address at that time was given as Lakkan, Vulture Street South Brisbane. The house name obviously had a special meaning for the Heaslop family as Carla Heaslop used the name again when her new home was built in 1930.

Carla Heaslop died in August of 1944 and a sale of the properties in Brisbane both commercial and residential raised a sum of over 70,000 pound. The electoral rolls of 1934 onward have her living with her son James William Heaslop at 362 Cavendish Road. This home is diaganolly opposite Lakkan. It still exists today. The architect of this house was Eric P. Trewern.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 2 March 1912, page 7

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WOMAN'S WORLD

A FINE NEW DRAPERY HOUSE.

The name of Heaslop, so well and favourably known in business for many years, is now associated with drapers. A handsome and commodious brick building has been erected for this purpose in Stanley street, just past the Vulture-street tram section. The building has about 120ft. frontage to Stanley-street, with a depth to Water-street, varying from 80ft. to 130ft. There are three main halls, excellently lighted and ventilated, with a central well and hand-some display windows. The counters and fittings are of the most modern and handsome character, suitable for the carefully selected fresh stock, which is present in enormous quantities. The cash railway system and electric lighting have been installed, and a double roller for graded wrapping paper is placed at the end of each counter. The office has handsome up-to-date appointments, and the fitting room attached to the show- room has, in addition to other dainty furnishings, full length double mirrors. The clean, fresh stock shows careful selection, skilful manipulation, and expert knowledge in display. In the handsome show room the millinery models are smart and up to date. Among a wealth of choice are a number of the new high-crowned winter modes, the most popular being apparently Royal blue and black, emerald and black, and mole. Several of these show the newest fringes, reversible effects, and bugle edging. ………………. Nurses' cloth, prints, cambrics, and lawns, in new designs and materials, are attractively displayed, and the low figures at which they are quoted will make them greatly in demand. Messrs. James Heaslop and Sons, Ltd., have appointed Mr. Poulsen manager, and engaged a competent staff of experts for each department.

When James Heaslop died in 1922 his funeral procession left from his home Lakkan in Shire Street Coorparoo

Some history on James Heaslop and his brother Thomas taken from the State Heritage Register regarding the Taylor Heaslop building in South Brisbane.

Irish brothers James and Thomas Heaslop had arrived in Queensland in 1863 with their parents, Samuel and Mary Heaslop, and brothers Samuel, Robert, John, George and William. In 1865, James and Thomas established a small retail grocery business at One-Mile Swamp [near Clarence Corner, South Brisbane] and by 1900 had created a chain of 'direct importing' stores known as the People's Cash Store. The principal wholesale and retail stores were at Stanley Street, Clarence Corner, and branch stores had been established at the Woolloongabba Fiveways; Melbourne Street, South Brisbane [at the southern end of Victoria Bridge]; Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley; Rockhampton; and Charters Towers.

The Heaslops were well known and respected in Brisbane business circles, and were staunch supporters of the Catholic Church. Thomas Heaslop served on the South Brisbane Municipal Council 1888-1895, from the inception of the Borough of South Brisbane, and was Mayor of South Brisbane for three terms, 1891-1893. He was involved with the commissioning of the South Brisbane Municipal Council Chambers, paid the workmen on the site nearly £500 out of his own pocket when the contractor, Abraham James, absconded in 1891, and officiated at its formal opening on 1 July 1892. His term as mayor also encompassed the great floods of 1893, which decimated large sections of South Brisbane, West End and Woolloongabba.

In 1901 James and Thomas dissolved their partnership. At this time, title to 14 Logan Road [the southeast shop] was transferred from Thomas Heaslop to James Heaslop, giving the latter ownership of the 3 shops at 10-14 Logan Road. James leased 14 Logan Road to Thomas Heaslop [Thomas Heaslop & Co. Limited by 1911]. Thomas died in 1911, but his Company continued to operate a branch of the People's Cash Store from James Heaslop's Woollongabba Fiveways building until the early 1920s.

The Heaslop Family at home Lakkan Vulture Street, 1915

This Item is held by John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15017327

Cremorne A Hoteliers Rest

This large federation style white timber home standing banks of the Brisbane River could be a beacon or lighthouse for local shipping. The contrast of the stark white timber outlines against the lovely manicured green grassy banks and tree foliage draws the attention of tourists and all passers by as they travel by ferry along the river.

The State Heritage Register provides the following information. A full register listing can be found here https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=600218

Cremorne is a substantial, single-storeyed, high-set timber residence erected c1905-06 for Brisbane publican James Denis O'Connor. It was designed by the firm of Eaton & Bates, Sydney-trained architects who built up a substantial Queensland practice from c1894-c1908.

JD O'Connor, born in Ireland c1860, had immigrated to South Australia in 1878, and was in business in Adelaide before moving north to Queensland, reputedly for health reasons, in 1889. His brother, Denis O'Connor, was already a well-known Brisbane publican, connected from at least 1884 with a number of Brisbane hotels, including the Globe, Dunmore Arms, O'Connor's Family Hotel [at Stones Corner], Oriental [later the Wickham] (QHR600213) from 1890, and later with the Prince Consort (QHR600212) in Fortitude Valley. JD O'Connor held the licence to the Stanley Hotel at the corner of Stanley Street and Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, 1890-96.

Newstead House An Icon of Brisbane

 Newstead House and Park have become iconic symbols of early white settlement in Brisbane. Built by squatter Patrick Leslie in 1846 and then occupied by Captain John Wickham the official government representative in Moreton Bay. Unofficially Newstead House became the first Government House post convict occupation. The following taken from the Queensland Government's State Heritage Register provides a small amount of information on this classic stone and timber. This is a house worth a visit if the opportunity arises. The position and wonderful park surrounds make it a place to admire and enjoy.

Newstead House is a large mid-nineteenth century house located on a ridge of parkland overlooking the Hamilton Reach of the Brisbane River at its confluence with Breakfast Creek, and is four kilometres north-east of the Brisbane Central Business District (CBD). The core of the house is the oldest known surviving residence in Brisbane, established by Patrick Leslie in 1846. The house has undergone numerous structural changes, particularly between 1846 and 1867. It was the first heritage property in Queensland to be protected by an Act of Parliament. Newstead Park was acquired by Brisbane City Council and formally opened in 1921. It was designed according to landscaping principles of the early 20th century and has retained the layout and plantings initiated by the Superintendent of Parks Harry Moore from 1915.

John Oxley explored the Brisbane River in 1823 and 1824 and recommended the area around the confluence with Breakfast Creek would be an ideal place to establish a settlement.[1] The local indigenous people had been given the name of the ‘Duke of York's Clan' by European residents and the area was known as ‘Booroodabin', meaning place of oaks.

Following the 1839 closure of the penal settlement, Brisbane town was surveyed and offered for sale from 1842. Land on the banks of the Brisbane River near Breakfast Creek was purchased by brothers-in-law Patrick Leslie and John Clements Wickham in April 1845. Leslie purchased Eastern Suburban Allotments (ESA) 63 and 64 (sold as ESA 13 at the time), while Wickham purchased ESA 62.[2]

https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=600265