Ithica, Bathurst NSW

Bathurst landmark, Ithica

[Previous post: Federation Specialists Next post: Lal Lal, Ballarat ]

247 Bentinck Street, Bathurst NSW 2795

For sale $875,000+ Construction year: 1897

Ithaca forms a very impressive group of Federation houses, with this being the most outstanding, addressing a corner site opposite Centennial Park, Bathurst NSW..

This house was built in 1897 as a wedding gift for Dorothea Gillkrest by her mother. It was designed by the then young local architect John Job Copeman.

• A large two storey Federation Queen Anne house of face brick under a terracotta tiled roof.
• A symmetrical octagonal corner tower, two storey timber verandahs with turned posts and elaborate timber balustrade and frieze terminated by projecting gabled wings.
• Half timbered effect to gables.

A prominent and well detailed Edwardian house which is well designed for its corner site.

• Expresses the prosperity and optimism of late 19th- 20th century Bathurst and is a local landmark.
• Together with Street Numbers 229, 253 and 255, forms a group of interesting Edwardian houses (including large trees).
  
• Architect John Job Copeman studied at the local technical school and his first architectural commission was for the School of Arts Hall at Rockley in 1890. He practiced architecture at Bathurst until about 1914 and was considered to be the district’s leading architect. There are more than thirty houses designed by Mr Copeman still standing in Bathurst and others as far away as Corwa, Cumnock and Orange.
  
• Mother Elizabeth Gillkrest died in November 1902 at her daughter’s residence. Towards the end of 1904 Ithaca was sold to Thomas Henry Richards and early in 1905 Mr and Mrs Toovey moved to Tasmania.
  
• Between 1878 and 1886 Mr Richards was the assistant headmaster at All Saints College. He probably only lived at 247 Bentinck Street for a couple of years before moving first to Lawson, then Strathfield and later to Vaucluse. Mr Richards died in June 1913 but his wife, Edith, owned Ithaca until November 1918 when he sold it to Emily Mabel Gornall.
  
• From 1907 until the time it was sold to Mrs Gornall, the house was leased to James S Robertson, a dentist. It is probable that Mr Robertson moved from this house and Mrs Gornall occupied it until June 1922 when it was sold to Henry Owens.

The house allotment was originally held in two parcels of land. One had a frontage of 100 feet to Bentinck Street with a side boundary of 200 feet along Rocket Street.

• The house stands on this parcel, which was sold separately by Mr Owens to V McFarland in October 1937. Subsequent owners of the house have included F M Pratley, P B & B M Kenny and A & J E Bonic.
  
• Francis Pratley died on 27 September 1963 and his estate sold the house to Mr and Mrs Kenny in June 1964. Mr and Mrs Bonic brought the house in May 1969 for $18,750. At the time of this sale, the house allotment had been reduced to a 90 feet frontage with a depth of 145 feet.
  

Historical Prices:

• March 2014 POA
• March 2014 $875,000
• June 2013 $990,000
• April 2013 $990,000

ITHICA: This heritage listed family home built in 1897 comprises 4 bedrooms, spacious living areas, study and the original coach house which now offers self contained accommodation, perfect as a teenager/parents retreat.

Heritage listed:

Forms a very impressive group of Federation houses, with this being the most outstanding addressing a corner site.

Ithica for Bathurst Regional Council	Images by: Hughes Trueman Ludlowfor Bathurst Regional Council

References:

• http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=1080008
• http://www.allhomes.com.au/ah/nsw/sale-residential/247-bentinck-street-bathurst-central-west/1316888269311/printer-friendly
• http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bathurst-110253309
• http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bathurst-112538235
• http://www.oldlistings.com.au/real-estate/NSW/Bathurst/2795/buy/1/BENTINCK