Addresses
Type of place
Flat building, House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Italianate
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence 'Kensington'
Kensington
Addresses
Type of place
Flat building, House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Italianate
This fine brick residence was constructed circa 1889 for civil engineer Harry Stanwix and his wife Rachel. Its construction provides evidence of the pattern of development in Windsor during the 1880s when it was emerging as a middle class suburb. It is also one of a number of brick buildings constructed in Windsor during the late nineteenth century, reflecting the brickmaking industry that was operating in the area. In the 1950s the house was converted into flats, which was very common of large homes at this time, but has since been restored to a single, private dwelling. The large mature poinciana tree at the front of the house is also included in this heritage listing.
Also known as
Willora
Lot plan
L201_RP894088
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Masonry
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
Also known as
Willora
Lot plan
L201_RP894088
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Masonry
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
History
Kensington, as the house was named, was one of the first houses in Constitution Road, which during the late 1880s was known as Southerden (or Southernden) Road. At this time, the locality was known as O’Connell Town, in honour of Sir Maurice O’Connell who lived at nearby Rosemount from the 1860s. Rosemount was one of the fine residences on large estates built in the area by several of Brisbane’s wealthier residents. Other fine homes in this locality included Oakwal, built in 1864 for Justice James Cockle. After the 1880s, these large estates began to be subdivided and sold for residential development. Kensington is located on land which was once a parcel of 16 acres on Eildon Hill owned by Reverend George Wight, who established a Congregational preaching station on his property in the 1860s. This land was subdivided into residential lots from 1885. Windsor became a separate Shire in 1887, including the surrounding suburbs of Wilston, Lutwyche and Wooloowin as well as the localities known as O’Connell Town and Swan Hill.
In 1887, Rachel Stanwix, wife of Harry, purchased a parcel of land of over 1 rood, 31 perches, facing what is now Constitution Road. Postal directories first record Harry Stanwix as a resident in the street in 1889, suggesting that their brick house was built circa 1888. The land was mortgaged for 550 pounds in 1888 which may have helped finance the construction. Stanwix was at this time an engineer for the Queensland Government in the Bridges Department. In the late 1880s, the other residents of the street were George Pritchard, an accountant for the Queensland National Bank, William James Hooker, the auctioneer, who resided in the nearby home of Fairleigh and George Skeene, a gardener. An adjoining parcel of over 2 roods was added to the Stanwix’s property on Constitution Road in 1890.
As a 19th century brick home, it adds to the special character of the Windsor/Lutwyche which has an unusually high number of brick buildings as a result of the successful brickmaking industry operating in the area during the 1870s-1890s.
Soon after this purchase, the Stanwix’s land was sold to Mary Willis Taylor, wife of William John Taylor, a stockbroker. The Taylors renamed their house Willora. Mary Willis Taylor died in 1907, leaving the property to Arthur and Harry Taylor, who were probably sons. Arthur and Harry were both bank clerks, residing in Sydney and Cairns respectively. At this time, Mary’s widowed husband was a sugar planter in Proserpine. In 1933, the property passed to another member of the family, Mary Ada Taylor, who continued to live in the house until at least the 1940s. After her death in 1955, Willora was sold and converted into flats. At this time, the verandahs were enclosed and extensions made to the house underneath.
The house was renovated during the 1980s and is now a family home once more. Kensington contributes to the mixture of architectural styles from various historical periods to be found along Constitution Road. It recalls a time when the hills of Windsor were changing from the exclusive preserve of the wealthy classes seeking a countrified existence on the outskirts of Brisbane to a middle class suburb of Brisbane.
The large mature poinciana tree at the front of the house is also included in this heritage listing.
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 Detail Plans
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Brisbane City Council Heritage Trail, Windsor. 4th edition, nd.
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Dept of Natural Resources and Mines. Titles information
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Grinley, Merle D and Margaret A. Belcher. Transmission of Real Estate by Death. Queensland Record Series A. Oxley: Yesteryear Links, 1995, 1996. Vol. 4. 1905-09
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John Oxley Library clipping file – Windsor
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Surveyor-General’s Office. McKellar’s Official Map of Brisbane and Suburbs. Brisbane, 1895
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Queensland Post Office Directories
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Qld State Archives. Queensland Public Records Historical Resource Kit, Part 2 Electoral Rolls, 1889
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)