The Cliffe

Statement of Significance

The main building is significant for its architectural character, a large rambling house in the Victorian manner with wide protective verandahs and a plan form which separates kitchen and service rooms from the rest of the house. Servants' Quarters are attached to the kitchen and kitchen yard. The group of buildings, and their disposition on the site, demonstrate the way­ of-life of a middle class Victorian family of substance. "The Cliffe" has historical significance in an architectural context and in a social context through association with the original builder Neil McNeil and later, from 1936-1961, the Brisbane family. The property has environmental importance as a large suburban house indicative of Peppermint Grove, in which house and grounds are integrated in a pleasant and highly successful manner, through the transition of internal spaces opening out ) onto wide protective verandahs overlooking the garden to distant views of the river and the hills. Large windows and glazed external doors allow views to the outside from all parts of the house. The property, though eroded, is a rare example of large timber house set in expansive grounds, dating from the 1890'-s . The extent of Classification:. House and Servants,. Quarters including interior and cellar; Hot House; Coach House; Stables; grounds;·boundary walls and orchard

Physical Description

The property comprises a large Victorian house, attached Servants' Quarters and Hot House, Coach House with Loft, and Stables, set in extensive gardens on high ground overlooking the Swan River at Freshwater Bay. The original property once bounded on three sides by a public road, is fenced with a limestone wall topped with iron railings . In recent years the property has been subdivided and lots sold off for modern houses, particularly along the eastern side overlooking the river and on the site of the original tennis court. This development is now seen to impinge on the historic house in an incongruous and insensitive manner. The grounds though no longer in prime condition contain a number of the original trees which predate the first house. or were planted when the garden was first established ....tippia, fir, Norfolk Island pine, eucalypt, peppermint .... as well as the original orchard. Apart from erosion of the original grounds by modern sub­ division, the property is an intact example of large suburban residence dating from 1894. The House, Coach House and Hot House are timber .framed, lined externally with ) horizontal weatherboards, Wide verandahs encircle most of the house and french doors open out from most of the rooms. Roofs are covered with jarrah shingles believed to be the original, and include gables with decorative woodwork, and tall brick chimneys. Internally, the hall and passage .and the main reception rooms include decorative woodwork to archways and built -in fittings in the Art Nouveau style . Door furniture and some chimney piec·es also feature Art Nouveau decoration. Decorated plaster cornices and ceiling roses exist in the principal rooms, and characteristically not in the smaller bedrooms. Leaded glasswork survives in some windows. Verandah ceilings are lined with wide timber boarding . The dado to the hall and passage is an impressive decorated applied sheet, possibly zinc, in the Victorian manner . Floors are jarrah throughout except bathrooms which are tiled. A stone cellar exists in sound condition under the kitchen, and includes external access for loading of stores . Two bathrooms contain the original white glazed ) wall tiles; the main bathroom proudly sports marble tops and screens and the early toilet and cistern; all in working order . Paint colours throughout are no longer Victorian, and in all areas except one, the original woodwork has been painted white . Adjustment of paint colours would considerably enhance the character of the house, both internally and externally

History

Assessment 1984 Construction 1890's

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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