Federation architecture refers to the architectural style of Australian homes built around the decades before and after 1900 AD. This site is a backup to Federation-House.wikispaces.com, which closed down in 2018. The new Federation-House.com site links to these blogs, but many old links to the Wikispaces site are unfortunately still present.
A Gallery of Federation House Styles, – from ‘Trophy’ Homes recently for sale
Table of Contents
1. Oswestry circa 1887
Period Details:
The Residence
Physical description:
The Toxteth Estate
2. Amesbury, 1888</span>
78 Alt Street Ashfield, NSW
Period Details
37 Lorna Street Waratah, NSW 2298
Early Federation
Period Details:
Architect Frederick Menkens
Links
4. MOSMAN Federation Home, 1897
1 Canrobert Street, Mosman, NSW 2088
Period Details:
Links
5. Kumdibar, 1898
62 Braeside Street Wahroonga, NSW 2076
Period details:
Meticulously Revived
Links
6. Gowrie, 1898
10 Ardmillan Road Moonee Ponds Vic 3039
Period Details:
Links
7. Hartford, 1899
Description
Period details:
[Previous Post: Talana, Hawthorn East …. Next Post: Federation Styles Timeline 1900-1915]
1888
1895
1897
1898
1898
1899
19th Century Designs:
1. Oswestry circa 1887
234 Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW
It last sold in 2004 at $3.55 million having previously changed hands in 1997 at $1.27 million.[1]
The building should be included in the Heritage Schedule of the LEP and should be protected by the Conservation Area Listing.
Subdivision should not occur. Consolidation of sites should not occur. The existing use of the site should continue. One storey, two storey, attic additions could occur at the rear of the building.
Period Details:
The Residence
“Oswestry” circa 1887, is a magnificent landmark residence of the Inner West, offering space in lavish abundance with soaring decorative ceilings, marble/timber floors, impressive cedar joinery and dramatic roof lines.
…




Physical description:
A two-storey freestanding grand residence that dates from the Victorian “boom” period with a 1908 Federation overlay, within the key period of significance, set on a wide site that has retained its context.
The roof is clad in slate with terracotta ridge capping and features corbelled chimneys, terracotta chimney pots and timber finials.
The façade features Art Nouveau and classical motifs, garlands, shield panels, pressed metal skirt, timber battened wall finish.
One of the finest mansions on Glebe Point.
“A magnificent landmark residence of the Inner West, offering space in lavish abundance with soaring decorative ceilings, marble/timber floors, impressive cedar joinery and dramatic roof lines.
“The informal entertaining areas incorporate a five star deluxe integrated kitchen (gas and electric), walk-in pantry, butler’s pantry/laundry, exquisite carpentry, marble benchtops and marble floors (heated) plus European appliances.
…….




The Toxteth Estate
George Allen (of Toxteth Park) during his lifetime had acquired 96 acres of the Glebe lands.
During this intensive building phase, Joseph Walker and Thomas Sinclair constructed a large number of the Italianate villas and cottages in Glebe Point, Toxteth, Arcadia and Avenue Roads.
Ausin Group managing director Joseph Zaja, the salesman who has sold more Australian property to the Chinese than perhaps anyone else, and his wife Sarina have emerged as the buyers of the historic Glebe home Oswestry.
2. Amesbury, 1888
78 Alt Street Ashfield, NSW
‘Amesbury’ – Landmark c1888 Queen Anne Mansion on 1369 sqm Level Grounds
Follow-up story at PropertyObserver.com.au
Ten-bedroom mansion with four-storey tower to fetch astronomic price
One of Sydney’s grandest and most distinctive properties has hit the market for the first time in three decades.
Amesbury is a grand 10-bedroom Queen Anne-style mansion on a 1366sq m block in Ashfield and is primarily recognisable by its four-storey Romanesque belfry-style tower.
Ashfield’s most significant historic home. ‘Amesbury’ is a grand 10-bedroom Queen Anne style mansion built in 1888 by Mr Norman Selfe (1839-1922), Australia’s foremost engineer during the late 19th and 20th centuries.
It does have a spiritual connection though, having been owned by international peace and meditation organisation Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga since 1986.
Upon its completion, Amesbury was considered the ultimate modern showpiece.
Period Details
3. Braeside 1895
37 Lorna Street Waratah, NSW 2298
Early Federation
“Designed by respected local architect Frederick Menkens and built c1895 as a family home for prosperous spirit merchant Joseph Wood, magnificent ‘Braeside’ is one of Newcastle’s longest standing examples of Queen Anne Federation architecture.
“Beyond the magnificent gardens containing a circular driveway once used for horse drawn carriages, the perfectly preserved facade is resplendent with all the traditional hallmarks of its era including corbelled brick chimneys, an unusual Dutch gable and an encircling verandah.
….




Period Details:
Architect Frederick Menkens
“Still casting a giant shadow more than a century after his death, German-born Frederick Menkens (1855-1910) was no ordinary architect.”
Links
4. MOSMAN Federation Home, 1897
1 Canrobert Street, Mosman, NSW 2088
The champion sprinter-turned-Fox Sports presenter first listed the Canrobert Street property in 2011 and kicked off another campaign earlier this year before McGrath’s Michael Coombs and Claudia Portale took over the campaign.[5]
Built in 1897, the striking four-bedroom Federation Canrobert St residence was beautifully restored in 2010 and includes a host of classic features throughout, such as original pressed metal ceilings, leadlight windows and formal living areas adorned by fireplaces.
Period Details:
According to CoreLogic RP Data records, the Shirvingtons paid $2.5 million for the property, which they share with their daughters, back in February 2008.
Steeped in refined c1897 details on a large 822sqm corner block, this meticulously updated Federation home presents a spacious single level layout embraced by child-friendly gardens. It’s set within metres of Mosman Village, exclusive schools and transport.
Links
5. Kumdibar, 1898
62 Braeside Street Wahroonga, NSW 2076
Sold on 03 Apr 2017, was listed with $7.5 million plus hopes
Kumdibar (1898) is a breathtakingly beautiful example of early Federation architecture lovingly revived to its former grandeur.
Period details:
Meticulously Revived
The residence has been newly painted and carpeted, with the traditional Federation interior colour scheme replaced by a palette of cool grey tones adding a calming contemporary sophistication.
Links
6. Gowrie, 1898
10 Ardmillan Road Moonee Ponds Vic 3039
Gowrie, a Moonee Ponds trophy home, has been listed for sale with $4 million plus expectations.
One of Moonee Ponds’ finest homes, this landmark Edwardian showpiece delivers an aspirational lifestyle of period grandeur, contemporary luxury and family versatility surrounded by landscaped gardens on approximately 1525sqm of land.
Period Details:
Links
7. Hartford, 1899
244 Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW
Hartford (on the subdivided Toxteth Estate) was built for dentist E Randolph Magnus (his preferred name), the driving force behind the establishment of Sydney’s Dental Hospital.
In 1907 Hartford, together with its specially made and bought furniture, was offered for auction.
‘Hartford’ is a stately Federation mansion in a fabulous harbourside suburb. It offers grand scale family living and entertaining in a quiet village setting.
The Queen Anne mansion Hartford was sold by the yoga devotees Jim Kennard and his wife Ananda Kennard in 2015 only 19 months after they bought it for $3.85 million, with plans to move to the United States.[7]
Hartford is an outstanding example of a Federation Queen Anne style grand house, with Art Nouveu detailing, in a garden setting.
A freestanding Federation Queen Anne style grand house set on a wide corner site that has retained its context.
Description
The façade presents a complex asymmetrical elevation and is constructed of tuck pointed face brick timber shingles and rusticated stone panels.
Internally significant features of the main house include the original room layout, timber stairs, timber joinery, brass hardware, decorative ceilings, fire places and leadlight glazing.
(from Gothic Victorian ‘boom’ to lighter Edwardian interiors)
Period details:
Links