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Property Details
| Property ID: 39 |
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| Street Address: | |
| Suburb/Postcode: | Burwood
2134 |
| City: | Sydney |
| State: | NSW |
| Country: | Australia |
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| Council/LGA: | Burwood |
| Zoning: | |
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| Category: | House |
| Name(s): | |
| Built: | c. 1910 ~ 1911 |
| Architect: | |
| Builder: | |
| Architectual Type: | Federation |
| Demolished: | Yes (2014) |
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A large late Federation cottage residence of interesting and attractive design made distinctive by it's numerous projecting gables, chimneys and verandahs. The house, which is tuck-pointed, featured a hipped roof of slate crowned with ventilation gablets, red terracotta tiled ridges and multiple brick chimneys. There were at least 4 projecting gables. The main projecting gables located at the front and the western side featured bracketed window hoods over casement windows with coloured top lights. A second, smaller gable was also located at the front of the house projecting over a small verandah. A set of stairs with marble treads lead up to the main verandah. Both verandahs featured tessellated tiles, white marble edging, french doors, with the main verandah also featuring an attractive entrance door with side lights and transom windows of lead-light. An octagonal bullseye window was located on the eastern side of the house with lead-light.
Interior
Upon entry was the foyer with a return hallway. The height of the rooms throughout most of the house was 11'0" (3.35m) with the foyer, lounge, dining and master bedroom featuring plaster panelled ceilings and cornices. Other features included ornate archways, timber joinery and doors and ornate timber fireplaces with tiled hearths, although these had already been removed some years before demolition.
At the time of demolition in April 2014, the house retained most of it's original features and stood back a fair distance from the street on a sweeping frontage of 25m amidst numerous established trees and shrubs of varying sizes. |
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'Wych Hazel' was built as the residence of Oswald Aubrey Parker and his wife Sylvia Jane Parker (nee Vickery). Sylvia Jane Vickery was the granddaughter of Ebenezer Vickery [1827-1906], a prominent and much respected businessman, philanthropist and Sydney citizen who was the director and owner of a number of companies, corporations and established the family business of E. Vickery and Sons, Ltd. He also served as a member of the Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament.[1] Joseph Vickery [1858-1930], Sylvia's father and a son of Ebenezer Vickery, would largely follow in his father's footsteps as a businessman and philanthropist. While he would continue the family business, he also held directorial positions in various other companies as well and resided at the well known mansion 'Strathfield House' (since demolished).
The marriage of Oswald Parker and Sylvia Vickery occurred on December 3, 1910[2] and 'Wych Hazel' would have been built in late 1910-11 to become the home of the newly married couple. The house would appear for the first time in the 1912 edition of the Sydney Sands Directory with Oswald A. Parker being listed as the occupant.[3] The Parker's purchased two allotments of land (each 66ft x 168ft) to form a double block width of 132 feet. By some point likely in the late 1930's, the land was subdivided and a portion 50 feet wide was sold and a cottage built on the land. Oswald Parker's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Parker, resided at a nearby house called 'Rosslyn', also in Livingstone street. On September 13, 1914, a daughter was born at 'Wych Hazel' to Oswald and Sylvia Parker. It would appear that the house would stay in the Parker family until around 1998 where it would be put on the market for sale for the first time since it's construction. This was likely due to the passing of Mr. and Mrs. Parker's daughter - then at around the age of 85. The house would be sold after having remained in the Parker family for almost 90 years.
Threat of Demolition (2001 - 2009)
From around 2001 'Wych Hazel' was threatened with demolition on multiple occasions. The property was leased to tenants and development applications submitted proposing the demolition of the house and construction of Seniors (over 55's) town houses over basement parking. The applications drew concern from a number of local residents, including the local Burwood & District Historical Society, who wrote to voice their objection to the demolition of the house due to it's architectural merit, contribution to the streetscape of Livingstone street and it's historical significance.
Change of ownership and further development applications (2009)
Ownership of the property changed in 2009 and the property continued to be leased while applications were submitted for demolition of the house for construction of Seniors (over 55's) town houses, similar to before. Eventually the plans were altered and a new set submitted proposing subdivision of the land and construction of two separate houses (30 and 30A) Livingstone Street. This application was approved in February 2014.
Demolition in April 2014
Demolition of 'Wych Hazel' commenced on Monday, 14 April and was completed on Wednesday, 16 April 2014. Most of the building materials from the home including interior timber fittings, doors, windows, slate roofing was stripped out in the days leading up to the demolition. The site was subsequently cleared, subdivided and two new homes with basement parking were built. |
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(Dec 10, 1910). "Social". Sydney Morning Herald
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"Sydney Sands Directory (1864-1932/3)"
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