7 Daylesford Road

Bassendean WA 6054

Built in 1898, for Sir Cyril Jackson, "Daylesford House boasts spacious bedrooms and living areas with views over the Swan River and beyond to the Darling Range.

Located in the prestigious pocket of Bassendean with entry via the leafy tree lined North Road, "Daylesford House shares a quiet cul-de-sac with great neighbours and a family friendly feel.

The renovated indoor front conservatory and original billiard room has been converted to become a beautiful large space for a family and entertaining room overlooking the front garden.

Downstairs includes the renovated kitchen featuring granite benchtops with windows overlooking the river. A large study (or 5th bedroom) with operational fireplace also sits on the ground floor with separate elegant dining room, huge spacious laundry, and stunning bathroom with its own beautiful river views.

The laundry deserves special mention with natural lighting from the windows built along the laundry bench, extensive built in cupboards and space for twin washing machines.

Upstairs there are four generous sized bedrooms including the master bedroom all with ducted reverse cycle heating and cooling and a separate bathroom.

Gaze from your elevated master bedroom every morning at commanding views of spectacular dawns over the Swan River and the Darling Range beyond.

The third storey attic is accessed by wooden stairs which features dormer windows.

Importantly all renovations have been approved by both the Heritage council and the Town of Bassendean with every box ticked and nothing left to do but enjoy the result.

Quietly keeping energy costs down is the new solar system cleverly hidden from view on the north roof of the garage and the equally new premium inverter hot water system.

The residence offers a high level of authenticity of the interior fixtures and fittings as well as a unique ventilation system designed by Cyril Jackson.

The property is heritage listed and all renovations work and additions which were significant, have been approved by the Heritage council.

FEATURES:
Five fireplaces two in use
Ducted and split system air conditioning
Landscaped gardens and entertaining outdoor area overlooking the river
Steps down to the river's edge
Formal reception and living room
Large laundry with beautiful cupboards and long bench with spaces for twin washing machines
Three car garage with four remote controlled doors. The fourth door provides access to the rear garden
Alarm system
Garden automatic reticulation system
Built-in safe

"Daylesford House History

Built in 1898 and designed by Lewis Henry Duvall for Sir Cyril Jackson, "Daylesford House was built in the Federation Arts and Crafts style as a two-storey Flemish bond red brick/weather board and Marseilles tiled residence.

The home was the setting for meetings and parties hosting the luminaries of the day including the then premier, John Forrest who would step off the boat and into the garden after winding their way up the Swan River.

The architecture of the house represents the evolution and blending of the very European steep high roof with the early Federation Arts and Crafts style trimmings that marked the turn of the century and the birth of an independent Australia.

The house was built before Perth had significant sawmills and brickworks and so much of the materials were imported from around the world including fittings from England, timber from Canada, and roof tiles from Marseilles in France.

There is also a unique ducted fresh air system that is the only one of its kind in WA that was specifically designed by request Cyril Jackson.

The main entertaining room was used for Cyril Jackson's billiard table which also doubled as a meeting room where the West Guildford Road Board held its inaugural meeting.

Sir Cyril Jackson

Cyril Jackson was a 35-year-old bachelor in his prime who was recruited from England to become the first Inspector General of Schools in Western Australia serving between 1896 - 1903.

He was instrumental in the transformation and reorganisation of State's education system into a modern public education system.

He made wide ranging changes to everything from establishing a minimum school age to fighting for better salaries and conditions for teachers. He was also instrumental in establishing Claremont Teachers College and Perth Technical School.

Jackson was influential in the formation of the West Guildford Road Board and became its first chairman holding the inaugural and subsequent meetings of the Board at Daylesford until he left the state;

Cyril Jackson returned to England in 1903 and went on to become a significant figure in many public service organisations and even served as an Agent General for WA to England. He was knighted in 1917 becoming Sir Cyril Jackson KBE.

The Heritage Council of WA has a detailed account of the history of the house and the area and notes that "Once Jackson purchased the land in West Guildford, he commissioned a commodious and stately house - befitting his position in government.

The house is representative of a small number of large and stately residences that were built by senior Western Australian public servants of the State in landmark locations, such as along the Swan River.

It is an excellent and finely detailed example of the Federation Arts and Crafts style, both in its external and internal presentation, and is a rare example of a two-storey Federation Arts and Crafts residence;

It has an in-built, unusual and innovative ventilation system that was especially designed for Cyril Jackson.