By Cathy Jones
Wavertree’ 103 The Boulevarde Strathfield is located on the 1810 Wilshire grant that later was subdivided as the Redmire Estate in 1867. Part of this estate was further subdivided and offered for sale as the Woodgreen Estate (deposited plan 538) in 1880.
In November 1884, Mrs Mary Goodchild Hardie, a widow of Burwood, purchased Lot 13, Section 3[1]. A house was erected in 1885, which she operated as a school. Small schools were often located in houses in Strathfield in this period. The property first appears in the 1887 Sands Directory for Mrs W Hardie, as a ladies school called ‘Wavertree’.[2]
In August 1910, ownership of ‘Wavertree’ transferred to Mrs Helen Jones, widow of Edward Lloyd Jones, Chairman of David Jones & Co[3]. Following Mrs Jones death in 1934, the property transferred by transmission to her son Eric David Lloyd Jones[4]. In May 1938, the property was purchased by Frank Whitehouse, a lecturer at University of Sydney and his wife Bessie[5]. Frank Whitehouse died in 1954 and the house was sold to Patrick and Monica Ryan[6].
‘Wavertree’ was numbered 83 The Boulevarde but renumbered 103 The Boulevarde in 1966.
In 1977, the house was sold to Wavertree Pty Ltd[7]. This house operated as a nursing home called ‘Wavertree’ until 1993. During the period of use as a nursing home, this house was extensively physically altered.
‘Wavertree’ has since converted back to a private residence.
This building has been extensively altered from its original design which is likely a single storey Victorian Italianate house.
‘Wavertree’ is located within the Woodward Avenue Heritage Conservation Area on Strathfield Council’s Local Environmental Plan. This area includes predominately Victorian houses, in Woodward Avenue, The Boulevarde and Albyn Road.
Footnotes
[1] Certificate of Title v.276 f.145
[2] Sands Sydney Directory Municipality of Strathfield
[3] Certificate of Title, v.692 f.215
[4] Certificate of Title, v.692 f.215
[5] Certificate of Title, v.692 f.215
[6] Certificate of Title, v.692 f.215
[7] Certificate of Title, v.692 f.215
References
Department of Valuer-General, Valuation Lists, Municipality of Strathfield
Fox & Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study, 1986
Land Register Certificates of Title
Sands Sydney and Suburban Directory
Strathfield Council Valuation Lists
Strathfield Heritage 