15 Jordan Street, Greenslopes

This land was part of the Chatsworth Heights Estate, which first went to auction in June 1914. The estate was advertised as comprising “166 Healthy Building Sites and 12 Grand Blocks up to 3½ Acres.” This mix of large and small blocks (normally 16 perches) is still evident in the region today, and is a distinctive feature of Greenslopes’ development. The proximity of the estate to the new tram line was also highlighted, the advertising posters declaring that the sites were “within a few yards of the Logan Road tram extension to Greenslopes.”

Post Office Directories show Allen taking up residence in 1922-23 after moving from Gloucester Street in Highgate Hill. The house was probably built between 1920 and 1922. Though Jordan Street had been in existence for some time, it is absent in the Post Office Directories prior to 1922-23, suggesting that no-one had yet taken up residence there. At some time the house acquired the name ‘Chatsworth’, recalling the name of the original estate, but it is impossible to be certain when this was, or if Allen added the name. 

The house was constructed at a time when the Greenslopes area was undergoing significant development, and many estates in the locale were subdivided into residential allotments as the population increased. The opening of the tramline along Logan Road in 1914 made the region attractive as a residential area. This was encouraged further by the extension of this line in 1926 south to Holland Park. A feature of Greenslopes’ development was that large blocks were intermingled with smaller allotments. The former were selected by wealthier middle class families and investors as sites for large luxury homes. To this day the suburb is populated with large fine homes on significantly sized blocks, overlooking the smaller ones which form the majority of the residential topography. 

Allen’s block was a large one, and there was enough room to build a tennis court on the property. These were popular additions to middle class residences at the time, and particularly common in Greenslopes. This had been done to the Jordan Street house before 1936, as it is clearly visible on aerial photographs made during that year.

This site remained a large block for a considerable length of time, and it is still sizeable today. When Allen bought the property it was over four acres in size. It remained whole until November 1942 when he sold the house and over an acre of the land on which it stood to Eric George Mackay. Allen died the following month, and the remaining three acres or so of land were inherited by family members. Since then, the land containing the house has been somewhat reduced but still remains a sizeable allotment of nearly three-quarters of an acre. Fine residences on large blocks like this one may be considered a distinctive feature of development in the area, particularly in the first decades of the twentieth century.

from the house to the street. This gives it a commanding aspect and passers by cannot fail to notice the house. Currently, the house is in excellent condition, and its aesthetic qualities make it a fine contribution to the Jordan Street streetscape.

A street-facing gable projects centrally from the roof apex. The verandah entrance, located at the centre of the frontage, is highlighted as a frontispiece by paired posts and gable pediment. The verandah roof is supported on square timber posts decorated with gracefully elongated brackets and two-rail verandah and steps balustrading. French doors open onto the verandah, which provides the main entry to the house.

Steps to the verandah are centrally located opposite the main entry. 

Raised above ground the area under the house has timber battens infill between the stumps.

The house, with its well-proportioned design and graceful details, is a very good example of the latest phase of Federation and appears to be in almost original condition.

Several trees grace the front garden making an important contribution to the house and the streetscape of Jordan Street.

1. Brisbane City Council Building Card Archive

2. Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans

3. Commonwealth Electoral Rolls, 1925

4. Department of Natural Resources. Queensland Certificates of Title

5. John Oxley Library Estate Map Collection

6. Queensland Post Office Directories