13 Carmichael Street

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Bungalow

13 carmichael Street

Built on land originally sold by the Crown at auction to H C Malcolm ([i]), this brick veneer house is of local architectural significance as one of the two known to have been designed by the award winning firm of architects, Seabrooke and Fildes. They designed the former Uren's Pharmacy, the Williams Building and Scullions, all in Gray Street, and who were associated with the remodelling of the former Miller's Department Store at 121 Gray Street and three Gray Street hotels. All of these were built by the local builder, Reginald Williams. ([ii]) Hamilton Sewerage Authority Drainage Plan confirms Williams Pty Ltd's involvement. ([iii]) Reg Williams, who was born in Coleraine to a Welsh father, came from a family which included several generations of builders. He constructed many of Hamilton's houses and commercial buildings including Fleetwood at 21 Gray Street and Nos 2, 4, 5, 12, 14 & 16 Skene Street. ([iv])

The house is innovative, at least by Hamilton's standards, in its T-shaped plan. It is significantly intact and in excellent condition. Only one other house in Hamilton is known to have been designed by Seabrooke and Fildes, that at 355 Gray Street.