Karlsrue: 34 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli. Sydney, New South Wales. Image by Sardaka

Perhaps the most impressive feature of this tall freestanding Victorian terrace in Sydney’s inner north is the triple storey verandah, replete with iron lacework. Although the upper storey with its bullnose roof is missing its brackets the terrace has fringes, brackets and decorative cast iron columns on every level.  This is rare for a Sydney terrace as most typically have verandahs only the bottom or bottom two storeys.

As well as the detailed balustrade patterns in iron lace, there is a frieze of wooden fretwork in a criss cross pattern beneath the floor of each balcony level helping to give the verandah a more solid look.  The facade of the terrace itself is more restrained, featuring a straight cornice flanked by a couple of urns and a decoration at the center of the parapet which hides the gable roof.   There are three double hung windows at each level, each with decorative mouldings above featuring keystones and ledges with small brackets.  The fence and gate has an interesting contrast of styles with its domed gatepost but also features the standard cast iron palisade.

I’d imagine that the terrace would date to between 1886 and 1889.