Addresses
Type of place
Park
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Teneriffe Park
Teneriffe Park
Addresses
Type of place
Park
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
Teneriffe Park is important because it survives as a remnant of the development of the area during the latter half of the nineteenth century. It is a highly visible area of natural bushland, largely untouched since the European settlement of Brisbane. It provides the people of Brisbane with a natural reserve, which is significant for its bird life and natural flora, and as a recreational reserve, in a densely populated area of Brisbane. As an adjunct of Teneriffe House it is significant as the setting for this historic 19th century villa.
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (E) AestheticInteractive mapping
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (E) AestheticInteractive mapping
History
Teneriffe Hill
During the latter half of the nineteenth century, the heights of Teneriffe Hill and Upper Bowen Terrace had become some of the preferred places for Brisbane’s wealthy merchants and professionals to build their residences. Worker’s cottages filled the cheaper land - the slopes and river flats in the New Farm area. In the early 1850’s, James Gibbon, MLC, a wealthy investor, acquired the original deeds of grant for the two largest allotments in the area.
These incorporated the elevated ridges associated with Teneriffe Hill and Kingsholme Hill. Adjacent to these allotments was a holding that had been acquired by J.C. Wickham in 1848.
These holdings contain the area that forms the Teneriffe Hill and the Kingsholme precincts.
Teneriffe House
James Gibbon built his large hilltop residence, Teneriffe House, in 1865. The house was designed by Melbourne architect WH Ellerker, who had won the Queensland Parliament House competition, and who practiced briefly in Brisbane from 1864 – 1866. In 1882 Gibbon sold the house on just over 2.6 ha, to Robert Wilson.
In 1905 Reginald Hillcoat, a north Queensland grazier, acquired the property and his family resided there from 1919. The property was subdivided further in the mid-1920’s.
By 1930, that part of the estate which included an orchard, had been resumed by the Brisbane City Council and survives as Teneriffe Park.
Description
Teneriffe Park is a steeply sloping area of parkland surrounded by Little Chester and MacKellar Streets, and Teneriffe Drive, Teneriffe. The Teneriffe Hill precinct is a well defined hill which overlooks and is highly visible from other parts of the suburb and surrounding areas. Its stock of fine houses, its elevated position and important views engender a distinct ‘Dress Circle’ quality that sets it apart from the surrounding suburbia. Adjacent to the site the historically important Teneriffe House adds to the heritage significance of the park.
Amenities in the park include a scout hall, some internal roads, fences and a children’s playground.
The total area of the park is 30711 m², comprising:
Leased area 1007 m²
Picnic area 7900 m²
Natural bushland 2281 m²
The adjoining Teneriffe House site marks the top of the hill and from this area there are two short ridges. Teneriffe Park forms a natural amphitheatre down to the lower end of Beeston Street.
There are a number of significant trees in the park. The ring of mature trees near Little Chester Street is the remnant of a garden which once surrounded a substantial house on this site.
The retaining wall and fence that abuts Teneriffe House is significant as a remnant of part of the Teneriffe House Estate – one of the original houses in the area.
The park has shown little change since its purchase by the Brisbane City Council. It remains substantially intact in its form and vegetation.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Brisbane City Council - City Assets Branch Conservation Management Study Stage 1 Report. November 2002
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)