Hallway looking from old part of the house to newPrint options & photo selection
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Hallway looking from old part of the house to new
Panoramic Photograph. View from Elliott Brothers Chimney Stack, Balmain, Looking South Theodore Street three white roof houses at about 9:30
Memory photo
fireplace in living area.
shower in bathroom where access was from the outside only.
Memory photo
fireplace in bedroom at front of the house.
bathroom/laundry sink
Front of house Jan 2003
side lane. Access to sunroom at rear.
Dining area looking towards kitchen with restored fireplace surrounds.
back of the house looking at Kitchen area
front verandah.
New Kitchen installed.
Old Kitchen
kitchen cupboards.
New Kitchen and pantry area.
Kitchen.
kitchen window with sink beneath.
New Bathroom now accessed from inside the house.
rear of house, sunroom windows.
Old fireplace in dining room.
bathroom shower.
view from Dining room to kitchen.
laundry sink in bathroom.
Latest street view of house (2026)
enclosed sunroom.
Rear Door.
Front Hall, looking towards front door.
tandem garage with workshop.
Family at the rear gate of 7 Theodore
New Pool and landscaping
New Pool and landscaping
restoration of weatherboard and courtyard
Kitchen after upgrade
Sands Directory listing Wheelers residency
Eva Gilmore on the front Verandah in 1975
alternative street view circa 2004
Street view of Theodore Street in 2003
Layout of house in 2003
Yard in 2003
house as purchased in 2003
Front of house Jan 2004
Captain Michael Driscoll
2nd renovation 2015
Printable house storyEvery House Has a Story.
7 Theodore St, Balmain NSW 2041, Australia
7 Theodore St, Balmain NSW 2041, Australia
Housetory helps communities preserve the memories, history and stories connected to homes and places.
Cover photo: Front of house Jan 2004
Year built1876
Timeline entries10
Memories3
Photos45
At a glance
- Known asMariners Row - Lot 9, Section C, Deposited Plan 77
- House typeCottage
- StyleVictorian 1840 1890
- HeritageNo
The story of this house
Built circa 1876, 7 Theodore Street—originally known as Albert Cottage—emerged during a period when Balmain’s northern waterfront still commanded clear views across Glebe Island and White Bay.
The area became closely associated with maritime life, attracting master mariners and shipbuilders who settled along this stretch of Theodore Street.
The cottage was constructed by Captain John Smith, a master mariner, and remained in his family for over two decades.
It later passed to Captain Michael Driscoll, continuing its strong connection to Sydney’s maritime community.
For much of the late 19th century, the street formed a small enclave of seafarers, with neighbouring cottages occupied by shipwrights and sailors.
This maritime character gradually faded in the early 20th century as residents moved away and working-class families replaced them.
By the 1920s, the house was occupied by the Wheeler family, marking a shift from maritime ownership to local labourers.
The property remained in the Wheeler family into the mid-20th century.
The history of 7 Theodore Street reflects the broader transformation of Balmain—from a working harbour suburb tied to shipping and industry, to a residential neighbourhood shaped by changing economic and social conditions.
Description & observations
The house was largely "run-down" when purchased in 2003.
There was past termite damage to the floors in particular which were primarily Kauri Pine with a mixture of local dark hardwoods at the rear of the property.
Notable events
Lived in by Gilmore Family till 2003.
Was sold at auction in 2003 to the current owners.
A restoration of the house,as it stood when purchased in 2003, was undertaken that year and completed in 2004.
This included the front verandah and kauri floors and recladding the add-ons at the rear of the house..
The original iron lacework was restored and a posted verandah put into place.
A further more comprehensive renovation was…
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.
- Building of Albert Cottage by Captain John Smith
Construction of Albert Cottage along with similar houses either side. Later to be known as Mariners row. A stretch of houses there…
- Acquired by Captain Michael Driscoll
The second in a line of Mariners that occupied 7 Theodore St. Discoll resided here until 1924 when he moved to Five Dock. Capt…
- Possible Theodore Street renumbering
Sands Directory entries suggest Theodore Street was renumbered between 1915 and 1916. Michael Driscoll appears at No. 5 in 1915 and…
- Wheeler Family in Residence
John Robert Wheeler (1881-1947) and family. His occupation is given variously as slaughterman or labourer. After he died in Balmain…
- Frank Edmund Wheeler in Residence
Frank Edmund Wheeler, born 1914 and died in 2004, appears to have taken up residence or ownership title of 7 Theodore Street in or…
- Eva Gilmore purchases the house
Eva Gilmore purchases house
- House Purchased from Gilmore family.
House was purchased at auction by a family living in Birchgrove in a small workers cottage. The house itself was very run down with…
- 12 month restoration of house
Photos after repair of house. These photos are of the areas that were completely repaired.
- Additions and Renovation
Extensive Renovations and additions to the existing house. Essentially adding new living space Kitchen, Master Ensuite, Bathroom…
- Pool and Landscaping
Installation of a new inground pool (approx 6x3m)and full yard landscaping. The yard design was provided by Adam Robinson Designs…
- Building of Albert Cottage by Captain John Smith
Construction of Albert Cottage along with similar houses either side. Later to be known as Mariners row. A stretch of houses there…
- Acquired by Captain Michael Driscoll
The second in a line of Mariners that occupied 7 Theodore St. Discoll resided here until 1924 when he moved to Five Dock. Capt…
- Possible Theodore Street renumbering
Sands Directory entries suggest Theodore Street was renumbered between 1915 and 1916. Michael Driscoll appears at No. 5 in 1915 and…
- Wheeler Family in Residence
John Robert Wheeler (1881-1947) and family. His occupation is given variously as slaughterman or labourer. After he died in Balmain…
- Frank Edmund Wheeler in Residence
Frank Edmund Wheeler, born 1914 and died in 2004, appears to have taken up residence or ownership title of 7 Theodore Street in or…
Memories, sources & further reading
Memories
Many family memories of 7 Theodore St. Here are some of my family at the front and rear of the house.
These photographs were taken before and during the first restoration of the house. At the time, much of the property was in a poor state of repair. Basic facilities were largely…
Research
Author: Mark Calabretta
Organisation: Balmain Association
Date: 12 June 2024
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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/7-theodore-st-balmain-nsw-2041-australia