Sydney Cricket Ground - the outside

Juniper Hall

From the National Trust website:

"Juniper Hall is a fine example of Colonial Georgian architecture and for a period, home to the iconic gin distiller, Robert Cooper. It is believed to be the oldest surviving mansion from Macquarie’s days to be found in Sydney. The National Trust was able to acquire the property in 1984 through a government pledge and corporate sponsorship towards the cost of purchase and restoration.

The construction of Juniper Hall was the result of a promise by ex-convict Robert Cooper to his third wife (and bearer of a further fourteen children) Sarah Cooper to build his newly wed “the finest house in Sydney”. A grant of 100 acres of land atop a windswept hill in Sydney’s Paddington area was given to Robert Cooper in partnership with two others, James Underwood and Francis Forbes. The London publican and his associates officially applied for planning of The Sydney Distillery in 1822. The land was subdivided between the distillery and three mansions.

Juniper Hall was built under the supervision of Cooper; he named the house presumably in relation to the juniper berry’s use as a key ingredient in the manufacture of gin.

‘Big Cooper’ as he was affectionately known had ten children from two previous marriages. Thus, domestic pressures ensured the house would be a large family residence. It encompasses a typical Georgian style with rooms planned symmetrically around a central hallway. Robert and Sarah later added two smaller properties within the grounds, one of which served as their retirement home. When money ran dry from the extravagances of their 24 children the family leased Juniper Hall to Attorney-General John Kinchela who re-named Juniper Hall, Ormond House.

In 1852 the property was leased to the Society for the Relief of Destitute Children, in part to serve appropriately as an orphanage. By 1885 the government had purchased the property and by 1892 extensive work was undertaken which enlarged the house considerably and altered existing architectural features.

In 1924 Joseph Reuben Gardiner purchased Ormond House. A public outcry prevented Gardiner from demolishing the house to increase his valuable real-estate on site but failed to prevent the building of a row of shops in the garden facing Oxford Street. These were later removed by the National Trust and the property is currently leased to an antiques dealer."

Paddington Reservoir Garden - a bit of history Part II

Above: The roof of the park collapsed in 1990. Debate raged about what to do with the site. In 2006, work commenced to ensure conservation and adaptive reuse of the site.

Below: Enjoying the garden today. Juniper Hall is in the background, across Oxford St.

I think it is an excellent regeneration of an urban space.

Paddington Reservoir Garden - a bit of history Part I

OK, so I didn't take the black and white photo - though I did take a photo of the photo from the information boards around Paddington Reservoir Gardens. I featured this restored water reservoir / garden over three days (4, 5, 6 August). Here's some more about the history of this garden.

Top: 2 Oct 1964. The reservoir was sold to Paddington Council in 1934. From then until 1990 the western chamber was leased to a commercial garage operator. The Water Board leased the eastern chamber as its garage annexe and store. The reservoir was roofed for the first time to create a public reserve. Popular music concerts were held here. This looks like it was taken from Juniper Hall, across Oxford Street.

Below: Taken looking into the reservoir from Oxford Street. Juiniper Hall is across the road behind me.


More tomorrow.

According to the City of Sydney website, "Paddington Reservoir Gardens has already been described as a combination of the Baths of Caracalla and The Hanging Gardens of Babylon."

When I peered in to the locked area of the East Chamber, I was reminded of Istanbul's underground cistern, Yerebatan Saray, except the latter is much more grand. As are the Baths of Caracalla! There are photos of it illuminated which are much nicer than these of mine. Some vibrant graffiti art has been preserved in this chamber, which provides a new space for community and cultural activities.

Today is Hiroshima Day - please spare a moment to remember.

Paddington Reservoir Gardens

From the City of Sydney website:

"The restored Paddington Reservoir Gardens was officially opened by Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP on 29 March 2009.

The park on the reservoir roof has been completely reconstructed and a new sunken garden has been established in the reservoir's western chamber.

Designed by the City Engineer, Edward Bell, the Paddington Reservoir was built between 1866 and 1878 and was a key element in Sydney’s early water supply.

The reservoir served Sydney well until it was finally decommissioned in 1899. It then became a garage and workshop for the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board, and later a service station, until it was acquired by the Paddington Municipal Council for much-needed open space. Then from 1934, the lower level was leased as a commercial garage.

And that was how it remained until 1991, when sections of the roof collapsed and the reserve was closed to the public.

Paddington Reservoir Gardens has already been described as a combination of the Baths of Caracalla and The Hanging Gardens of Babylon."

Relaxing in the sun

This couple were enjoying the winter sun last Sunday, at the Paddington Reservoir Gardens. We'll take a closer look at the gardens, located in the structure of an old reservoir, tomorrow. The building across the road is Paddington Town Hall.

Giant spaceship lands in Sydney suburb!

....and the people who go in and out of here are pretty alien to me...

This is Sydney Football Stadium viewed from Oatley Rd, Paddington. The top photo was taken from the hill near the sandstone wall of Victoria Barracks (visible at bottom right), and the bottom photo from outside the house with the magnolia tree shown yesterday.

It certainly dominates the bottom of the street-view. Next to the football stadium is the Sydney Cricket Ground, making this a major sporting precinct.

If you look really hard you can see it in the small magnolia picture published yesterday.

Magnificent magnolia

Our beautiful bright sunny winter days continue. I took a trip to inner suburb Paddington this afternoon - we'll have a look around a bit more over the next few days.
In Oatley Rd, this magnificent magnolia tree is in full and glorious bloom. I loved the effect of the blooms in front of the traditional wrought iron "Paddington lacework" on the facades of the terrace houses.

Victoria Barracks, Paddington

An Australian Army barracks, one of the best-known examples of colonial military architecture in Australia. The majority of the barracks was constructed by convicts, using locally quarried sandstone, between February 1841 and April 1848. The barracks were occupied by British troops up until 1870 and then taken over by the New South Wales colonial forces. Currently home to both Headquarters Land Command and Headquarters Training Command.

There are guided tours at 10am on Thursdays. I took these on a Saturday, and couldn't get in - took these photos through the fence.

Picnic in the park

An after work picnic in Moore Park prior to a game at Aussie Stadium.

Moore Park, 6.45 pm

Typical golden light of evening in late summer / early autumn.

Aussie stadium

Last night we went to the rugby at Aussie Stadium. Here's Paddington terrace houses (and the moon rising) through the open part of the partial roof as people are arriving.