Hy Brasil, Heritage house in Clareville, Northern Beaches, Australia.
Hy Brasil is a heritage house built in 1936 featuring Hawkesbury sandstone construction with large picture windows and exposed internal stained timber rafters and beams throughout its living spaces. The structure incorporates verandahs surrounding the main living area and includes terraced gardens that descend to a sandstone cliff edge.
The land was initially part of a 490-hectare grant to John Joseph Therry in 1833 and later subdivided into villa sites for the Pittwater Estate development. The house itself was constructed in the following century as part of this broader residential expansion along the coast.
The residence takes its name from a mythical Irish island called Brasil, which according to legend contained the Garden of Eden and brought maritime mythology to this Australian coastal dwelling. This cultural connection gives the house its distinctive character and storytelling resonance among heritage enthusiasts.
Access to the property is available from the street level through the main entry, with verandas offering viewing points across the surroundings. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and steps leading down toward the cliff and wear suitable footwear for walking around the site.
This residence is one of three organic houses designed by architect Alexander Stewart Jolly in Avalon, each demonstrating a distinctive integration with the natural landscape. This series of designs represents a rare collection of dwellings that seamlessly blend into their rocky coastal setting.
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