This fine terrace house was built between 1864 and 1884. Early records indicate the site was first purchased in 1868, four years after the allotment was created.

A building survey from 1884 shows a building footprint on the site. Accordingly, this suggests that the building was constructed before 1884 but after 1868. Its style indicates it was constructed in the 1880s as part of the building boom in Sydney in the 1880s, with its cast iron balcony and popular handsome Italianate features.

An early building survey, c. 1884, indicates only a simple terrace outline, in a row of terraces, with a service wing and outhouse to the rear and access to a rear service lane.

Sydney Council’s heritage review suggests a later photo from about 1943 shows a similar building footprint. Subsequent aerial photographs of the site indicate that while the principal dwelling and roof form were retained altered the service wing and rear additions were consequently altered. A laundry and storeroom were added to the rear of the dwelling in the 1950s. Additionally, an archived boarding house licence indicates the building operated as a boarding house/backpackers lodge from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.

The original grant was made to the NSW Attorney-General, Alexander MacDuff Baxter, (1798-1834), in 1831, the same years he returned to England.

Mr Baxter was a noteworthy figure in the early colony. He was a Scottish-Australian lawyer and politician.

He was famous and infamous. The Governor, Sir Ralph Darling, considered him to be incompetent and tried to persuade the Colonial Office in London to dismiss him, but Baxter resigned in order to become a judge in Tasmania.

Baxter relied heavily on the new Solicitor-General, William Foster, and even sought help from other lawyers to complete his work.

In Tasmania, the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir George Arthur, managed to prevent Baxter from taking up his post. Baxter returned to England later in 1831 and died in 1834.

Victoria Street was and still is close to the CBD and Parliament House and retains it pre-eminent dress circle position.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions