Hester Villa, Heritage-listed residence in East Brisbane, Australia
Hester Villa is a timber and iron dwelling in East Brisbane, Queensland, distinguished by three-sided stepped verandahs, ornately cast-iron balustrading, and decorative timber columns topped with a fretwork pediment at the entrance. The structure extends across three separate allotments and retains the characteristic details typical of its construction period in the early 1900s.
The villa was built in 1901 for Captain Robert Pearn, a ship's master involved in Pacific Islander recruitment activities during that era. A penny placed above the doorway commemorates the construction date and the establishment of this notable residence.
The villa represents residential architecture from the Federation era, displaying the design preferences of wealthy households through its central hallway, sliding sash windows, and ruby-tinted glass accents beside the doorways. Visitors can see how these features reflect the tastes and living standards of that time period.
The property is located on Stafford Street and remains accessible for those interested in studying its architectural features and historical records. The residence extends across multiple allotments, which visitors may find useful to know when observing the building's exterior and overall layout.
In the late 1970s, conservation architect Ray Oliver rescued the building from deterioration through extensive renovation work while keeping its original features intact. His careful restoration efforts proved essential to ensuring the structure survived and remains standing today.
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