Whepstead, Wellington Point, Heritage villa in Wellington Point, Australia
Whepstead is a two-story timber villa located in Wellington Point that features a prominent attic and wrapping verandahs. The building displays elaborate cast ironwork embellishments across its facade and now operates as a restaurant and event venue.
Gilbert Burnett commissioned architect Claude William Chambers to design this grand residence in 1889. The villa was built after Burnett transformed his sugar plantation into a successful sawmill operation.
The building shows how wealthy Queensland residents in the 1880s expressed their status through ornate timber details and generous room layouts. These design choices reflected the tastes and values of affluent families during that era of prosperity.
The building sits on Main Road in Wellington Point and is straightforward to locate. Keep in mind that it functions primarily as a restaurant and event venue, so visiting times may depend on dining or booking a function.
The property contains a garden irrigation system from the 1880s that allowed year-round cultivation of ornamental trees and fruit orchards despite dry seasons. This early engineering solution shows how residents adapted to Queensland's climate for their gardens.
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