Undercliffe Hospital

Statement of Significance

Undercliffe sits on an elevated site looking south over the former railway reserve and towards the Helena Valley. The large site originally had extensive gardens which now accommodate three major (maternity, general and geriatric) hospital buildings as well as the original house. Substantial gardens remain in the large spaces between buildings, together with some significant trees from the original gardens. These include an enormous Moreton Bay fig tree behind the house and, at the front, a rare South American Cyprus (taxodium distichum). This tree has been placed on the Tree Society's Heritage Tree Register, and thought to be one of only four existing in the State. Also at the front are a Norfolk pine and several old date palms. Extensive lawns also add to the spaciousness of the site. Undercliffe, the house, is located roughly in the centre of the site between the maternity (to the east) and general (to the west) wings. The geriatric wing is to the north at the rear of the site. Some of the original integrity of the brick residence has been lost by it having been rendered and painted a pale pink colour. This was done to stabilize the fretting brick work and integrate fabric that had been modified over the years when the house was altered to become a convalescent/nursing home. The original verandas, across the front of the house, had been extended and enclosed with asbestos sheeting to provide additional accommodation. These were removed by the current owners who have restored the verandas and interiors to give the building an ongoing useful life as specialist consulting rooms for the hospital. The front veranda has been reconstructed in accordance with its original form as indicated on early photographs in the collection of the current owners. It has an unusual character as it is quite narrow across the front and becomes wider on the side returns. The symmetry of the front elevation is broken by a western wing, that is connected at the front with an open vestibule from the veranda, and may have been a later addition. Front steps lead up to a timber panelled entry door surrounded with stained glass side and high lights. The highlight incorporates "Undercliffe" into its design and the side panels contain the initials of Percy Ford Robinson plus an acknowledgement to Barnett Bros, as the supplier. The internal layout, which focuses around the hall leading from the front door, is not symmetrical. The interiors have been renovated to accommodate consulting rooms and have retained a significant amount of original fabric. Some original pressed metal ceilings (west wing) survive, however other ceilings have generally been replaced either at an earlier time, with 'art deco' style decoration, or more recently with plasterboard and plain coved cornices to minor rooms and passageways. Some plaster mouldings and corbelled arches survive along with original fireplace surrounds, deep skirtings and architraves.

Physical Description

Undercliffe sits on an elevated site looking south over the former railway reserve and towards the Helena Valley. The large site originally had extensive gardens which now accommodate three major (maternity, general and geriatric) hospital buildings as well as the original house. Substantial gardens remain in the large spaces between buildings, together with some significant trees from the original gardens. These include an enormous Moreton Bay fig tree behind the house and, at the front, a rare South American Cyprus (taxodium distichum). This tree has been placed on the Tree Society's Heritage Tree Register, and thought to be one of only four existing in the State. Also at the front are a Norfolk pine and several old date palms. Extensive lawns also add to the spaciousness of the site. Undercliffe, the house, is located roughly in the centre of the site between the maternity (to the east) and general (to the west) wings. The geriatric wing is to the north at the rear of the site. Some of the original integrity of the brick residence has been lost by it having been rendered and painted a pale pink colour. This was done to stabilize the fretting brick work and integrate fabric that had been modified over the years when the house was altered to become a convalescent/nursing home. The original verandas, across the front of the house, had been extended and enclosed with asbestos sheeting to provide additional accommodation. These were removed by the current owners who have restored the verandas and interiors to give the building an ongoing useful life as specialist consulting rooms for the hospital. The front veranda has been reconstructed in accordance with its original form as indicated on early photographs in the collection of the current owners. It has an unusual character as it is quite narrow across the front and becomes wider on the side returns. The symmetry of the front elevation is broken by a western wing, that is connected at the front with an open vestibule from the veranda, and may have been a later addition. Front steps lead up to a timber panelled entry door surrounded with stained glass side and high lights. The highlight incorporates "Undercliffe" into its design and the side panels contain the initials of Percy Ford Robinson plus an acknowledgement to Barnett Bros, as the supplier. The internal layout, which focuses around the hall leading from the front door, is not symmetrical. The interiors have been renovated to accommodate consulting rooms and have retained a significant amount of original fabric. Some original pressed metal ceilings (west wing) survive, however other ceilings have generally been replaced either at an earlier time, with 'art deco' style decoration, or more recently with plasterboard and plain coved cornices to minor rooms and passageways. Some plaster mouldings and corbelled arches survive along with original fireplace surrounds, deep skirtings and architraves.

History

Some anecdotal evidence suggests that sometime before he died in 1901, Edmund Gilyard lacey may have built "Undercliffe", although Percy Ford Robinson's initials are incorporated in the stained glass around the entry door. In 1880, at the age of 37 EG Lacey came to Western Australia after a successful career change in the eastern states and set up the Enterprise Sawmill at mahogany Creek and later at Sawyers Valley. Sawn timber from Lacey's mill supplied his timber yards at Perth, Fremantle, York and later, Guildford. Whilst his business interests were extensive, he is recorded as having recovered from bankruptcy to 1888, to the extent that by 1897, he had acquired land south of the York Road (Great Eastern Highway) and near what is now Wortley Road. Here he operated a brickworks and granite quarry until his death in 1901. It has been suggested that the bricks used to build 'Undercliffe' came from Lacey's nearby brick yard. In 1995, part of Lacey's former quarry and brickworks (most of which had been filled) was utilised to build a truck arrester bed off great Eastern Highway. In 1902, the house (or land?) was purchased by 36 year old Percy Ford Robinson, who had married EG Lacey's daughter Clara in January of that year. Like his uncle, Edward Robinson of nearby 'Belle View', Percy had extensive north-west pastoral interests including Coongan Station near Roebourne. Both men were active in lobbying for the abattoir which was eventually built at Midland in 1914. Again, like his uncle, Percy Robinson was involved in local government. He was a member of the Greenmount Road Board from 1906 to 1909 and simultaneously mayor of Midland Junction from 1907 to 1911. He unsuccessfully stood as liberal candidate for the state seat f Guildford. In 1910, he became the owner of Cardup Brick Company and about this time became the inaugural President of the Midland Guildford Cricket Club. 'Undercliffe's' grounds and garden not only caused interest to train travellers on the nearby Eastern Railway, but were famed in the May 1917 edition of Motorist and Wheelman magazine. A Moreton Bay Fig tree in the grounds is said to be over 100 years old. During the Depression, 'Undercliffe' was vacated byt he Robinson and used as a parish poor-house. In 1937, the house was donated to Rev. Bell, the rector of Christ Church Claremont from 1932- 1943 for the continuing use by the poor. During WWII, 'Undercliffe' housed convalescing soldiers. In February 1953, after some 8 years of trying, Undercliffe was recognised as a "C" Class nursing home. It's first 10 patients were from the former sanitorium at Woorooloo. In 1964, the license was extended to 18 beds, and further increased in October 1971, to 20 beds. over the years, some of the property was subdivided by Rev. Bell to provide additional funds and after the nursing home was taken over he remained as a resident/patient until his death. The property was purchased by the Miles family in 1979, following which upgrading of facilities began. Re-development of the site commenced in October 1980, with the addition of a 42 bed general hospital which was finished in October and opened in November 1981.May 1981 also saw commencement of the new nursing home or geriatric wing. During the mid 1980's a maternity section was opened on the site to complete the overall hospital facilities. Restoration of the original 'Undercliffe' residence was then taken to provide specialist consultants rooms for the complex.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High, although some authenticity has been lost with adaption to consulting rooms. Modifications: Adapted for the use as consulting rooms.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update