Residence : Greystones

Statement of Significance

Greystones has significant aesthetic. historic and rarity cultural heritage value. It is a fine example of a rural house built III the early Federation period with Victorian Regency influences. The Regency style required simplicity. subtlety and restraint. Houses built in this style were usually clearly defined rectangular masses. arranged symmetrically, This house has all these features. Historically. the house is a remnant of the rural nature of the area and is associated with a prominent person of the district Sir George Shenton. The residence is a rare structure as few Nineteenth Century buildings have survived in the City of Nedlands.

Physical Description

This farmhouse style building is typical of the turn of the century buildings, but built in Slone which has now been painted while with a verandah on three sides. The house is on a corner site with a white painted, open picket fence. with trees and shrubs surrounding the edge of the garden. The turned verandah posts have timber mouldings below the timber verandah beam. all painted white. The verandah has timber boarding and is a step up from the garden. TIle entry door has a glazed panel in it and glazed panels to either side. The hipped roof has a slightly steeper pitch over the main body or the building with the verandah III a slightly lower pitch - described as a broken backed roof. There is a vent at the peak of the roof with horizontal louvres, The large chimney is stepped in and has mouldings and curved rain baffle capping.

History

This house known as Greystones (source unknown) has strong claims to being the oldest house still standing in the Cit)' of Nedlands (after Gallop House). It was built ill 1.895 for the son or estate manager of SiT George Shenton. Sir George owned a large tract of land 00 the Crawley foreshore (where UWA now stands) as well as Swnn Location l'iR9which was where Greystoncs was built, Sir George had purchased the location for £50 in I 'A77 after being first granted the land in 1873. The location was good farmland. Ln 1908 Sir George recognised the development potential of the land and after a survey by Crossland and Hardy. 163 residential blocks were created. Sir George Shenton was a prominent citizen in Perth. Born in WA. he was the firs! mayor after the formation of the City of Perth. was in the first representntlvc government Legislative Council of 1870, was Chairman of a number of Boards and was a senior and active parishioner of the Wesley Church. His personal residence. Crawley House (or Shenton House). is part of the UWA Campus. When Sir George died in 1909 he leO:1O estate of £187,996.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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