Lyndhurst
4 McIntyre St HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Church Hill Precinct Hamilton
Statement of Significance
Designed by Frank Hammond for S H Palmer, this is one of the most distinctive houses architecturally in Hamilton. Although part of the garden has been sold and built on much remains of it which adds to the significance of the site overall.
One of the most distinguished houses in Hamilton, Lyndhurst is of regional significance for its fine classical architecture, the rather Mannerist detailing of which betrays its late nineteenth century, early twentieth century date. Historically it is significant as the home of Saxon H Palmer (1864-1952), the prominent Hamilton solicitor. ([1]) Palmer was the son of A H Palmer, one of the town's earliest solicitors. For over twenty years, from 1938 to 1959, Lyndhurst was owned by Mrs Martha Brake. ([2]) The Tower House, as it is sometimes known, was designed in 1901 by the local architect, engineer and town clerk, Frank Hammond. ([3]) He certainly was versatile. Hammond probably designed several other houses in Hamilton at this time and, as the Worshipful Brother Hammond, he designed the Masonic Temple in Lonsdale Street and surprisingly the extension to St Mary's Catholic Church as well as extensions to the Mechanics Institute in Gray Street.
Lyndhurst's gardens, now eroded by subdivision, were once much larger but are still of interest. ([4]) The house is all the more significant because it is so intact and because it remains unpainted. With its tower, Lynhurst is a landmark and marks the edge of the Church Hill area.
This is the most intact of Edwardian garden forms in the Church Hill area. The garden, although much reduced in size and in a "run down" state consists of gravel paths with shrub beds bordered by Buxus sempervirens, English Box. It shows the typical Edwardian fashion for dark foliaged plants and for palms. This garden is of regional significance for its original form.
[1] Hamilton Rate Book, 1902 No 343 and Garden, D, Hamilton, pp 90, 129, 172.
[2] Hamilton Rate Books and Garden, p 121-2. Martha may have been the widow of James Brake who took over Thomsons' Iron Store in Gray Street.
[3] BEMJ, 31/8/1901, sp 6, "Tender accepted for the erection of brick villa for S H Palmer, Esq, Hamilton".
[4] The rate books indicate an extensive garden.
-
-
-
-
MECHANICS INSTITUTE
Victorian Heritage Register H2171 -
HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENS
Victorian Heritage Register H2185
-
HAMILTON GAS HOLDER
Victorian Heritage Register H1086
-
'Mororo' 13 Oxford Street, Malvern
Stonnington City -
1 Arnold Street
Yarra City -
1 Austin Street
Yarra City
-
-
