Nassagaweya
- 600227
- 37 Gray Road, West End
General
- Classification
- State Heritage
- Register status
- Entered
- Date entered
- 21 October 1992
- Type
- Residential: Detached house
- Theme
- 6.4 Building settlements, towns, cities and dwellings: Dwellings
- Architect
- Morry, Arthur
- Construction period
- unknown, Nassagaweya (built c1885)
- Historical period
- 1870s–1890s Late 19th century
Location
- Address
- 37 Gray Road, West End
- LGA
- Brisbane City Council
- Coordinates
- -27.48808902, 153.00254341
Map
Street view
Photography is provided by Google Street View and may include third-party images. Images show the vicinity of the heritage place which may not be visible.
Significance
Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.
One of several, sizeable timber houses built at Hill End during the 1880s boom.
Criterion DThe place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.
Nassagaweya is significant as an individualistic and intact 1880s residence.
Criterion HThe place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland’s history.
Nassagaweya is significant for its close association with architect and politician Arthur Morry, built as his own residence.
History
Nassagaweya was built in c.1885 by architect Arthur Morry as his own residence. He was later to become mayor of South Brisbane and the local member of parliament.
After Morry left the house in 1895 the property was probably rented until 1915 when it was purchased by a Scottish-Canadian, John Gillies. He named the house Nassagaweya after his birth place in Ontario, a Delaware Indian word meaning 'home by the maple forests'. Gillies died in 1946 and the house remains in the family. Today it occupies a corner site, the adjoining streets of which are named after two previous owners of the property, Gray and Morry.
Description
Nassagaweya is a two-storeyed timber house (c.1885) with a pyramid roof in corrugated iron, which was previously slate. Built on a corner block, the square-shaped core has a number of gabled projections on the street frontages.
The front elevation is dominated by a double-storeyed gabled verandah on the left which has cast-iron balusters and frieze and a pierced timber valance. On the right is a gabled portico. This leads onto a small verandah, enclosed by timber louvres, which projects to the side.
The side elevation is a complex arrangement of gabled insert verandahs, the louvred verandah and a projecting kitchen entry.
Internally, the room spaces and joinery reflect the innovative spirit of the exterior. The house remains unaltered except for a room apparently added at the rear. The overall effect is an unusual and whimsical composition.
Outbuildings, including stables, burnt down some time ago.
