Paddington conservation area streetscape assessment - character area 7

Did you know you lived in character area 7?  Neither did I until I trekked down to the local history centre and started snooping around the materials they have tucked away down there.  This summary was done at some stage by a mob of consultants (Mayne-Wilson and Associates).  You can ask the centre for a full copy.  Some extracts below ...

Streets included:  Norfolk, Suffolk, Stafford, Duxford, Union, Broughton, Hopetoun, Gurner, Cambridge, and Central Glenmore Road.

Historical precis: This area was created from the break up of two of the 'gentry estates' granted to John Gurner and Thomas Broughton in 1843 and 1845 respectively. The western sector of the area was granted to George Savage in 1835. Gurner's estate was subdivided in 1885, Broughton's in 1898 and Savage's in 1906, well after the greater part of Paddington had already been built and its pattern of small plots and terrace housing established. Some housing is arranged to exploit sea breezes from and views to the Harbour. The width of the roadways, footpaths and rear lanes reflect the 'best planning practice' of the day.

Physical determinants: The area lies on the mid slopes of the sandstone ridge that tilts down toward the Harbour. Houses on the higher side of some streets have good views out to the harbour.

Street pattern: The awkward, irregular layout of the streets (compared with the gridlike layout of the adjacent Underwood estate) reflects the adjustments and compromises required when the grounds surrounding these mansions were split up and the need to accomodate the topography.

Perceptual qualities: Most streets have a quiet, spacious, enclosed, tree-lined quality, with short vistas and few views out. The housing stock is consistent in quality, and mostly intact, demonstrating the late Victorian character.

Fencing: Mainly cast iron palisade fencing, sometimes above a sandstone retaining wall. Occasional brick fencing.

Garden types: Typical small plots with random plantings of frangipani, hibiscus, palms, ferns and creepers.

Built forms and period: Typical terrace row housing of the 1890s, with substantial decoration. Remarkably intact. Some rows of single storey cottages in Victorian gothick and pseudo-Queen Anne Federation styles. A few modern intrusions of apartment blocks (but not on Cambridge st!). Terraces on the high side of the street have good views out.

Setback and enclosure elements: Nil setbacks in some streets. 1-2m in others. Enclosure good in some streets and interrupted in others. Tree canopies sometimes assist, but is often spotty.

Materials, colours and textures: Mostly rendered brickwork, painted white, rich cream, ochres, pinks or greys. Trims are in white, dark green, brown and black. Some later buildings have natural brick surfaces.