Cobbitty

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Cobbity

31 Gray Street

Built on land originally sold by the Crown to a Mr W Smith in 1854, this house is of local architectural significance for its relatively early date, the elegance and restraint of its detailing and its typical mid-Victorian form. The house is built of stone and has been rendered to produce a mock ashlar finish. The timber verandah with its strong but simple detailing betrays the early date of the house as do the French doors opening on to the side verandah.

W Smith may have been the William Smith (c1838-1909) the Town Clerk of Hamilton from 1874 to 1887 who may have acted as his own architect. ([i]) The block originally comprised three allotments but has since been sub-divided to include all of crown allotment 13 and parts of 12 and 14. The house remains significantly intact and in excellent condition. The garden includes an important Araucaria heterophylla, Norfolk Island Pine. With its garden, Cobbity is an important contributor to the streetscape.