Oakburn is one of a pair of buddy buildings built in the late 19^th century in the Italianate villa style.

Its original name may have been Oakbarn, according to an advertisement of the time. Oakburn and its neighbour, Laureville, were built as speculative investments and occupied by 1878. On 1^st October 1878, The Sydney Morning Herald noted they were part of eight villa sites for sale to “investors seeking good and improving properties”.

Oakburn was described as “a large family residence built of brick on brick foundations, containing a wide hall, drawing-room with folding doors, dining-room, 2 large and 3 smaller bedrooms, bath and dressing rooms, and patent water-closet upstairs, storeroom, pantry, large kitchen, laundry-copper-fitted &c &c … out-conveniences, gas and water laid on throughout; the fittings go with the property.
This house is occupied by E. NEWTON, Esq., at a rental of £175-00.”

The advertisement notes that “ ELIZABETH BAY is certainly one of the choicest and most accessible MARINE SUBURBS and in view of the large improvements contemplated in this locality, these properties must become very valuable … the properties must be sold on WEDNESDAY, 2nd OCTOBER. Macleay Estate, Leasehold Title.”Both sites were originally part of Lot 60 of the first subdivision of the Elizabeth Bay Estate.

Each villa is designed as a mirror image of the other and has an L-shaped plan with steps leading to a central tower. The buildings have a two-storey framed verandah which runs across both villas on the sunny north-east street frontage and have both timber and cast iron decoration. The lower level timber filigree detailing cleverly acts as a filter to reduce the glare of bright morning sun.

The site demonstrates the evolution of the development of Elizabeth Bay after the subdivision of the Macleay Estate and subsequent construction of high-quality speculative residences.

Oakburn’s interiors and exterior reflect its period with timber stair balustrades, sash windows, original fire places, deep skirting boards, cast iron balconies, stained glass door surrounds, rose cornices and high ceilings.

It represents urban consolidation at a time of increasing prosperity and rising population pressure in the first phase of this area’s suburbanisation.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions