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Section 170 Register Report: 4726009: GATE LODGE & GATES (PARRAMATTA ROAD)

Heritage Item ID:   4726009
Item Name:   GATE LODGE & GATES (PARRAMATTA ROAD)
Street Number:  
Street Name:   University Avenue, The University of Sydney
Suburb / Nearest Town:   Sydney
State:   NSW
Post Code:   2006
Other / Former Names:   Yeoman Bedell's Lodge, Baxter's Lodge
Group Item ID:   0
Group Name:   N/A
Year Construction Started:   1939
Year Construction Completed:   1940
National Theme:   Educating
Regional Theme:  
Designer:   Leslie Wilkinson 1939 - 1940, Fowell Mansfield & Maclurcan 1958
Builder:   Roseweare 1939 - 1949
Local Theme:   Development of the Gothic Revival style in Australia
Custom Field One:   F02
Custom Field Two:  
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Statement Of Significance:   One of a number of Gothic Revival buildings at the University of Sydney designed by Professor Leslie Wilkinson, continuing the architectural vocabulary established in the mid nineteenth century. An integral part of what is probably the finest collection of Gothic Revival buildings in Australia. One of a series of Gate lodges to the University Grounds.
Historical Notes:   Additional land for the creation of an approach to the University from the Newtown Road [City Road] was requested in 1859 and formally dedicated in 1863. Planted with fig trees, this eventually became a grand drive aligned on the central archway of the main building and flanked by a pair of lodges (for the gardener and messenger) built c.1883-1885 on the Newtown Road frontage. In 1924 the University exchanged this land for a part of City Council's Victoria Park to provide additional space for new buildings. Delays in the legal completion of this exchange and shortage of funds meant that it was not until the late 1930s that the new boundaries were marked in built form. An existing entrance from the Parramatta Road opposite Derwent Street became a new formal entrance with a two-storey lodge designed by Leslie Wilkinson, built in 1939-1940. The stone for the new lodge was said to be obtained from the 1880s messenger's lodge which was demolished in 1939. A single storey bedroom extension on the east side was built in 1958. The lodge is named after the Yeoman Bedell who lived there.
Physical Description:   The date of construction of the palisade fencing to the university campus has not been determined. The cutting to Parramatta Road has been altered at least once, with the last widening occurring in the early twentieth century. The palisade fencing may have been relocated or altered. The new gatehouse was constructed when the entrance to the University was altered c1940. The original gatehouse survives, located at the corner of City Road and Parramatta Road/Broadway. A two storey sandstone Gothic Revival style building with gable ends. The roof is constructed of slate. A two storey bay window with sandstone mullions and crenellations faces Parramatta Road. The spandrel panels below the first floor windows have carved shields and the shield motif is also employed on the main gable and the gate piers. A pedestrian gate and covered porch separates the vehicular gates from the lodge. The metal work to the gates and the lamps to the gateposts survive intact. A two storey sandstone gatehouse and wrought iron gates designed by Leslie Wilkinson in 1939. The design included two pedestrian gates located either side of the vehicular gates, each separated by sandstone piers. The gate house and the gates survive substantially intact. The use of the Gothic architectural vocabulary was well established at Sydney University and Wilkinson continued to use both the architectural forms and motifs.
Physical Condition:   Refer to the 1999 University of Sydney Heritage Fabric Survey
Modification Dates:   1958 - Single storey bedroom extension
Recommended Management:   Ensure that the impact of any proposal on the heritage significance of the buildings, and their setting, is assessed when planning new works. Further research to determine the cultural significance of this item is required. The preparation of a detailed conservation plan for the surviving gates and gate lodges is recommended. Refer to the 1999 University of Sydney Heritage Fabric Survey.
Further Information:  
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Custom Field Six:  


Local Government
Area		   DUAP
Region		   Historic
Region
South Sydney City   Sydney South   Sydney

Historical Significance:   The construction of a new lodge and gates in 1939 represents the first significant change to the curtilage and plan for the University, brought about by the need for space for expansion within the confines of the original Gross Farm site and the surrender of the impressive 19th century approach for the exigencies of 20th century needs. The lodge represents both continuity of architectural style and of provision of residential accommodation on site for key non-academic members of staff. The re-use of materials from an earlier lodge was presumably economic but was also a recurrent feature of Wilkinson's work at the University. The lodge is associated by usage and name with a long-serving member of the University's non-academic staff. Indicates the alteration to the formal approach to the University, the opening up of Victoria Park as a public park.
Aesthetic Significance:   One of a number of Gothic Revival Style university buildings designed by Professor Leslie Wilkinson, continuing the Gothic Revival architectural vocabulary of the main building precinct established by Edmund Blacket in the 1850s. This collection of Gothic Revival Style buildings is probably the finest in Australia. Continuing the tradition of gate lodges to the University of Sydney, a number of which still survive.
Social Significance:   As staff accommodation
Technical Significance:   Limited technical or research potential.
Rare Assessment:   As an integral part of a collection of Gothic Revival buildings, probably the finest in Australia. Although relatively rare in Sydney, gatehouses are generally based on English Gothic gate lodges.
Representative Assessment:  
Intact Assessment:   Exterior: substantially intact, Interior: not inspected.


State
Theme Code		  
Education  


Author   Title   Reference
Year		  
DPWS Heritage Group and Otto Cserhalmi & Partners   University of Sydney, Heritage Fabric Survey   1999  
  Register of the National Estate and National Trust Listing Cards.    
Lester Tropman   Victoria Park Conservation Plan.    
Leslie Wilkinson   Five plans for lodge and gates record drawing of messenger's lodge on City Road, University Archives G074 Series 2 Folder 26, copies of two sheets of plans Facilities Planning F02-1007 & 1008.   1939  
Fowell Mansfield & Maclurcan   Additions: April-September 1958, Facilities Planning F02-1003 & 1004   1958  
  Buildings & Grounds Committee Minutes 31 May 1938 & 3 August 1939, University Archives G1/5/4    
S Falkiner (ed.)   Leslie Wilkinson : a practical idealist (1982) p 120   1982  
Cable, K; Turney, C; Bygott, U   Australia's First   1990  


Heritage
List Name		   Listing
Name		   Reference
Number		   Listing
Date		  
Register of the National Estate   Gates and Gate Lodge   001889   21/10/1980  
National Trust of Australia register   Gates and Gate House   N/A   02/08/1976  


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Caption:		   View of Parramatta Road Gate Lodge, 1999
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By:		   DPWS Heritage Design Services
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Caption:		   View of Parramatta Road Gate Lodge, 1999
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Caption:		   The Parramatta Road gate in the 1920's, before it became the principal vehicular entrance.
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By:		   Cable, Turney, Bygott 1990:71
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Caption:		   Plan, Section and Elevation of Baxters Lodge
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By:		   Leslie Wilkinson FRIBA
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Date:		   01/07/1939
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Caption:		   Lodge and Gates at Main Entrance from Parramatta Rd.
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By:		   Leslie Wilkinson FRIBA
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Date:		   01/09/1939
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