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House in 2025
Ornate detail around windows
front formal room in dilapidated condition
Kitchen dilapidated
Back Room add on (1980's)
Top of stairs facing front of house
Main Bathroom upstairs
rrd Bedroom upstairs leading out onto deck
Original Dining room fireplace removed
Stair case dilapidated
Only Ceiling Rose left
Main Bedroom upstairs. Doors to balcony
Early 1900's image of the Terraces
Ellerslie Terraces with central large pedimented parapet.
Report of the death of Tornaghi in Newspaper
House as it was sold in 2024
41 Ballast point from the rear
From Wharf Road
Advertisement for Balcony Rooms at the terrace.
Printable house storyEvery House Has a Story.
41 Ballast Point Rd, Birchgrove NSW 2041
41 Ballast Point Rd, Birchgrove NSW 2041
Housetory helps communities preserve the memories, history and stories connected to homes and places.
Cover photo: House in 2025 — 2025
Year built1881
Timeline entries12
Memories1
Photos19
At a glance
- Known asEllerslie Terrace
- House typeTerrace House
- StyleVictorian 1840 1890
- HeritageYes
The story of this house
No.
41 Ballast Point Road is the central terrace in Ellerslie Terrace, a late-Victorian row on the northern side of Ballast Point Road, Birchgrove.
The terrace forms part of a row historically known as “Ellerslie Terrace,” built around 1881 and associated with architect Edward Harman Buchanan and owner/developer John Laing.
The house sits on Lot 4, DP 913645, with frontage to Ballast Point Road and rear access toward Wharf Road.
It is recognised as a local heritage item for its historic and aesthetic significance as a Victorian Filigree terrace, retaining its street-facing scale, rendered façade, parapet, chimneys, verandah/balcony form, decorative ironwork and pattern of openings.
The terrace seems to have been predominantly used as a rental property, although it appears to be listed as a private hospital at once point in its time, but in its later life served as an owner occupied premises.
Past Owners and residents A title search of the NSW Land Registry Services records has produced the following records.34 Commencing with original Land Grant to William Balmain, the title to the subject premises has evolved as follows: 26/4/1800 Grant of 550 acres in the District of Petersham Hill to William Balmain — Serial 3 Page 38.
7/7/1801 Bargain and Sale Book K No.
260 to John Gilchrist (said 550 acres).
1/4/1853 Conveyance Book 27 No.
374 to Charles Smith of Sydney, Esquire & Didier Numa Joubert, of Sydney, Merchant (i.e.
Section/Block 31).
8/9/1853 Conveyance Book 28 No.
94 to Charles Smith of Sydney, Esquire (of the share of Didier Numa Joubert).
28/9/1853 Conveyance Book 28 No.
418 to William Henry Evans of Sydney, Mariner.
20/2/1866 Conveyance Book 97 No.
220 to Frederick Vale of Balmain, Licensed Victualler & James Cornelius Peters of Sydney, Merchant.
28/2/1867 Conveyance Book 102 No.
909 to John Fitzpatrick of…
Description & observations
The terrace had some renovations to the rear of the property in the 1980s, which included a new lower floor room at the rear of the terrace with bathroom and laundry.
On the first floor, atop of it, was a large wooden deck that measured some eight metres in length and the full width of the terrace at the rear.
Notable events
The front of Ellislie Terraces have two pediments at either end.
There was a very large central pediment between number 41 and 43 Balmain Point Road, however, this pedimented parapet seems to have collapsed during a weather or earth movement event prior to 1920.
There is a current restoration project taking place which will re-instate that pediment as it was when the row of terraces was built.
Full story, source details and updates continue on the live Housetory page via the QR code.
Timeline highlights
A compact summary of key moments. Scan the QR code to read the full timeline online.
- Original Balmain grant
The wider Balmain area was granted to surgeon William Balmain in 1800, then transferred to John Gilchrist in 1801. The later…
- Subdivision of the Ballast Point / Snails Bay land
The site formed part of Section 31 of the 1852 subdivision. In 1853, land in this area was transferred to Captain Charles Smith and…
- John Laing acquires the land
The report traces the land through several conveyances before it was acquired by John Laing of Balmain, engineer, on 8 July 1870
- Ellerslie Terrace constructed
The terrace row appears in newspaper advertising by July 1881. A Trove result from 16 July 1881 advertised “Ellerslie Terrace…
- First known Sands Directory occupants
The report lists Ellerslie Terrace No. 4, later No. 41 Ballast Point Road, as occupied by Mrs Sarah Meagher in 1883
- Sewer/water survey evidence
The 1887 Sydney Metropolitan Series drawing shows the row, incorrectly labelled “Ellesmere Terrace,” with front verandahs, rear…
- Private hospital use
The Sands Directory table in the report lists Mrs Oakes at No. 41 in 1903, with the note “Private Hospital.” First social-history…
- Remo Tornaghi dies at the house
Remo Adige/Adice Tornaghi, a clockmaker, mathematical instrument maker and turnstile maker, lived at No. 41 around 1908. The report…
- Sold out of Laing family ownership
The title chronology records a conveyance on 30 September 1925 to William Archibald McDonald of Neutral Bay, retired estate agent
- Furnished accommodation advertised
A Trove result from 1926 lists “Unfurnished, Balcony Rooms, conveniences, near tram and boat” at 41 Ballast Point Road, Snails Bay…
- Popoff family ownership/residence
The report records transfer in 1961 to Paula Popoff, Maria Popoff and Vladimir Popoff. It also notes an electoral roll reference…
- Property sold & restoration proposal
Public property listings record 41 Ballast Point Road selling in 2024. The current owner has embarked upon an ambitious project to…
- Original Balmain grant
The wider Balmain area was granted to surgeon William Balmain in 1800, then transferred to John Gilchrist in 1801. The later…
- Subdivision of the Ballast Point / Snails Bay land
The site formed part of Section 31 of the 1852 subdivision. In 1853, land in this area was transferred to Captain Charles Smith and…
- John Laing acquires the land
The report traces the land through several conveyances before it was acquired by John Laing of Balmain, engineer, on 8 July 1870
- Ellerslie Terrace constructed
The terrace row appears in newspaper advertising by July 1881. A Trove result from 16 July 1881 advertised “Ellerslie Terrace…
- First known Sands Directory occupants
The report lists Ellerslie Terrace No. 4, later No. 41 Ballast Point Road, as occupied by Mrs Sarah Meagher in 1883
Memories, sources & further reading
Memories
We have a history of buying run down properties and bringing them back to life. This terrace was certainly no exception, but was by by far the most dilapidated house we have bought to…
Research
Author: Dr Raymond Stevens B.Arch, (Hons.), M.Arch, PhD, AIA,
Date: 28/05/2025
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Selected photos
Scan the QR code to see more photos, timeline entries, memories and updates on Housetory.
https://housetory.com.au/index.php/explore/houses/41-ballast-point-rd-birchgrove-nsw-2041