by Cathy Jones 2025
‘Rengra’ 17 Abbotsford Road Homebush is an interwar bungalow and is located on Lot part 14, section 3, Village of Homebush Estate. The house was built in 1920 by architect Percy Gordon and his wife Grace.
A building application was approved in May 1920 to build a brick cottage Strathfield Council of more than 5 rooms for owner Percy Gordon. The builder was W Virtue, Marion St, Guildford. The estimated value of the buiding was £1150.
The house first appeared in the 1922 Sands Directory named ‘Rengra’, occupied by Percy Gordon. The house was originally numbered 9 Abbotsford Road and renumbered 17 renumbered in 1954.
Percy James Gordon (1892-1976) was one Sydney’s most prominent architects, principal partner of architectual firm Morrow & Gordon. Morrow and Gordon were one of Sydney’s most substantial architectural practices from the 1930s to the 1960s, with many major clients, including the Grace family, AWA, Soul Pattinson, the Bank of NSW and the Ford Motor Company. Morrow & Gordon also were known for their municipal work and undertook various works for Strathfield Council.
Gordon was President of the NSW chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) from 1944 to 1946. He and his wife Grace lived at ‘Rengra’ until 1957.
From 1963, ‘Rengra’ was the home of Dr Robert Wilfred Hardie (1925-1996) Medical Practioner and his wife Nancy (1925-2010) (née Dunn). Hardie was the grandson of Robert Hardie, Mayor of Burwood and great-nephrew of George Hardie, Mayor of Strathfield. He also was great-grandson of Samuel Thompson, of ‘Rothesay’ Abbotsford Road Homebush.
