Hampton Villa

12b Grafton Street, 1849-1849

Modestly elegant, Hampton Villa contrasts sharply with its larger, later and more ornate neighbour, Ewenton. The villa exemplifies the Post- Regency style described by Bernard and Kate Smith as possessing clean lines and classical proportions in the treatment of windows and doors, a dominating rectangularity and broad eaves line. Typical of this style are the bare stone walls, stone-flagged verandah and louvred French windows. The Tuscan columns and classical pediment at the front entrance are also typical of the 1840s: however, a photo c. 1890 shows the verandah with striped awning and flat, not cylindrical, columns. In this photo, the villa’s roof appears to be of slate or wood shingles.

Built by the Hon. Edward Hunt MLC, the villa was leased in the 1880s by Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of NSW and “Father of Federation”.