Victorian houses built in the Italianate-style in the late 1880s represented the new found wealth by astute business men of the time. In the Hunter, this was a period of economic boom and no more so than in the coal mining areas of inner-Newcastle and surrounding suburbs. These classic homes with grand living rooms featured intricately worked ceilings, cedar staircases, ornate mouldings, ornamental chimneys, mosaic tiled porches and iron lace work. One historic home, now National Trust Classified, is Clarens at Wallsend, a prime example of such a family residence built in 1887 by William Walker Johnson for his family of nine children. He was the son of Thomas Johnson, a collier, who migrated to Australia and was employed by the AA Company at the Burwood coal line.

 

When the Wallsend coal mine opened in the early 1860s the Johnson family moved to Wallsend opening a large general store and a hotel. After the death of his enterprising father, William Johnson inherited both properties and being an astute businessman himself became involved in the timber trade supplying the bulk of the timber used in the district mines. He accrued great wealth as one of the founders of the Wallsend commercial centre and went on to become an alderman of Wallsend Council. Among his many businesses was a coach service which ran from Wallsend to Cockle Creek connecting with his steam ferry service on Lake Macquarie. Clarens is a rare landmark stately home positioned in the heart of the heritage precinct of Wallsend Township and is significant for its unusual and extravagant detailing, somewhat rare in this district, yet a reminder of an affluent period in the town’s history.

Everyone who lives in the district knows of Clarens.

Over its lifetime, Clarens has lived many lives from being the original family residence, then converting to shared accommodation, separate flats and lastly as student accommodation for over a decade. Time took its toll on the façade and interior until five years ago.

“Early in 2002, the current owners’ purchased the property and proceeded to commence the restoration project. The house was virtually entirely grey, both inside and outside, so colour was going to be the deciding factor in the cosmetic segment of the total makeover. Guided by local design consultant Diane Williams, the selected colours came from the heritage colour palette giving careful attention to enhancing the details of the building. This substantial and costly undertaking was commenced in April 2004 and took 2 months to complete. A main warm stone colour of “rattan” was chosen for the main exterior façade with accent colours of “purple brown”, “Georgian brick” and “antique white” as the complementary colours. The massive task of intricate detailing was given to Newcastle professional painting contractor Craig Harrison.

Internally the floor plan was adjusted to suit contemporary family living by converting the previous caretaker’s rear section (the original servants’ quarters) into a modern granite and timber kitchen with island work bench and an adjoining living / family room. A separate compact dining area, bathroom, and toilet facilities now give convenience to the downstairs living area of this extensive home. The section opens onto a partly covered courtyard area and backyard including a spacious freestanding laundry / workshop room.

From the front door you step into a wide entry hall opening to the formal living areas. To the right is the ballroom with the original intricately decorated iron pressed ceiling, side leadlight window, an original fireplace and timber floors bordered with blue and gold Axminster “fleur d lys” decorated carpet. The room is circled with a timber picture rail and glistening chandeliers.

To the left is the formal lounge with classic drapes over the bay windows. The room is superbly enhanced with the original cypress 6” timber floors flowing onto the adjoining formal dining room. Ornate 12 feet high original pressed metal ceilings also feature. Another open fireplace on the southern wall is a central highlight and focal point. When purchased by the current owners this area was a communal kitchen for the student occupants with layer upon layer of linos, patched walls and missing floorboards. Now painted in rich “seductress red” and offset with accented feature walls of “quicksand”, these are truly stately rooms in dominant proportions.

Leading from the grand entry hall to the first floor level is a magnificent Australian Cedar staircase which has been fully restored. After three months of stripping, sanding and careful recreation by a master craftsman of the “handrail gooseneck” and missing baluster spindles, the end result is something to behold. The lower and first floor entry halls as well as the staircase are centered with burgundy Axminster carpet and period brass stair clip hardware.

On the first landing are four spacious rooms, one the master bedroom with fireplace, ornate ceilings and bay window, another generous bedroom and the remaining two rooms have been adapted, one as a private sitting room and the other a study.

Off the first landing is a rear second addition to the original house dated around the early part of the last century, which accommodates a small sitting room, federation tiled bathroom with shower and toilet and four more bedrooms. Two of the smaller rooms have been converted for family use as a large dressing room/wardrobe room and another for storage. The remaining two larger rooms are now the owners’ daughter’s bedroom and the other used as a visitor’s guest room.

Anyone who has ever owned a classic home appreciates that the restoration of such homes often includes costly work unseen which are extremely important to its ongoing preservation. Similarly, at Clarens major works involved removing overgrown garden beds away from the exterior walls to allow for proper ventilation, installation of air vents and appropriate under floor fans, rendering walls, waterproofing, and extensive placement of storm water drains around the perimeter.

Over 50 linear meters of “crazy” Gosford sandstone pathways have been laid along with premium ”Sir Walter” buffalo turf to the entire lawn area. Manicured lawns and classic low maintenance hedging, sculptured shrubs and under plantings of miniature gardenias surround Clarens. A rear garden gate leads to a three car parking space featuring a section of the original front fence as a keepsake reminder of its former life.

Clarens has been made like new again, restored to its former glory and now ready to start another era in its long and colourful history.

Historic Wallsend Township is conveniently located about 15 km from the CBD of Newcastle representing about a 15-20 minute car commute to the city centre. The Newcastle – Sydney F3 freeway is also within close access. An abundance of Shopping Centres, schools, sporting fields and recreation facilities are located in close proximity to Wallsend.

 

 

Robinson Property
Att: Scott Purnell

(02) 4902 7222

www.robinsonproperty.com.au

 

No Warranty Given. You should seek your own independent advice as to the accuracy of the information supplied.