Photo by: Xxpaulm licenced under (CC-SA)

Freestanding Terrace: 15 Dickson Street, Newtown. Sydney, NSW

The most interesting feature of this freestanding terrace is its stunning Italianate style, complete with campanile-like flat pyramid roofed tower and interesting iron lacework.

The prominent tower features quoining and flat arched windows, label moulds and ledges with a large keystoned arch making a prominent doorway at ground level.

Interestingly a heavily bracketed semi-cornice differentiates the ground level from higher levels, along with a lesser cornice marking the top of the upper storey offsets the tower’s verticality and draws attention to the double storey terrace style balcony.  The verandah is bullnosed out with its corrugated iron roof partially exposed.  A prominent party wall frames the verandah and culminates in a tall chimney.  The party wall is dressed in classical scroll corbels and features a small window opening on the upper level.  The mix of cast iron lacework and verandah ornament is interesting, with a fringe bracket and central pendant above, patterned balustrade including figurines below which is a prominently comparmented frieze under which sits only a couple of decorative iron brackets.  The ground level patio features parquetry tiles and a round arched Palladian window motif with fine cast iron classical columns.  The upper storey features a large timber French door with sidelights with round arched windows.  A palisade fence with sturdy gateposts and foundation completes the picture of Victoriana.

Not certain of the date of this house, but I would imagine it was built in the mid to late 1880s, however the Italianate style was generally fashionable earlier, so it is a fairly rare boom style example in Sydney.