Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Filigree
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence 'Myrtle Villa' (former)
Myrtle Villa (former)
Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Filigree
This fine timber house was constructed circa 1889 for tobacconist Samuel Izatt and his wife Mary. It was during the mid-to-late nineteenth century that Hamilton began to emerge as a desirable suburb for the middle and upper classes and by the 1880s it was characterised by the presence of fine homes on large estates. Most of these estates were eventually subdivided in the early twentieth century to encourage residential growth and development in the area. The Izatts sold the house in 1895 and it has since been well maintained by a number of different owners.
Also known as
Yelan
Lot plan
L4_RP50174
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (E) AestheticInteractive mapping
Also known as
Yelan
Lot plan
L4_RP50174
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (E) AestheticInteractive mapping
History
This house was built for city tobacconist, Samuel Izatt and his wife, Mary, circa 1889. It was among the earlier houses on what would later become Crescent Road.
From the mid-19th century, Hamilton was characterised by the coexistence of large estates bearing fine homes and large areas of undeveloped land held by speculators. This vacant land was steadily subdivided into suburban allotments. Later, the grounds of some of the fine estates were also subdivided; particularly after the arrival of the tramline through Hamilton to Ascot in 1899.
The house occupies two of the allotments subdivided by Fletcher and Hipwood from the mid 1880s. These were among several adjacent allotments purchased by Izatt from 1888. The house was built on subdivisions 130 and 131, and Post Office Directories show Izatt residing at the house from 1890. The Izatts named the house ‘Myrtle Villa’.
The house was built at a time when Hamilton and Ascot were becoming consolidated as elite suburbs populated by the wealthy. The area offered several advantages. It was cooled by sea breezes, offered splendid views of the city and river, and was sufficiently close to the city to make commuting to work a reality for professionals, public servants, and businessmen.
The Izatts stayed in the house until 1895 when it was let to Abel Hyde, Secretary of the Queensland Turf Club. Hyde stayed in residence until 1914. During this period the Izatts sold the property to Sarah and George Brett in 1909. They in turn sold the property to Edward Martin in 1818. It seems that Martin let the property for a short time before eventually taking up residence in 1921.
The house is now known as ‘Yelan’ and appears to be well maintained.
Description
This low-set timber residence is of the colonial style with a symmetrical frontage and a separately roofed encircling verandah. The main roof is pyramidal and sheeted in corrugated iron. Square timber posts with decorative brackets and capital support the verandah roof to the front. The front door is central to the house frontage with a gabled frontispiece in the verandah roof above the entry. Faceted bay windows open onto the verandah on either side of the front door. The front garden is enclosed behind a picket fence with square masonry pillars on either side of the entry gate. Style and type of the building indicates that it is from the 1880s-1905 period.
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 Water Supply & Sewerage Detail Plans
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BCC Heritage Trail – Hamilton. 3rd edition. Nd
-
Department of Natural Resources, Certificates of Title
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John Oxley Library Photograph Collection
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Queensland Post Office Directories
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Queensland State Electoral Rolls
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)