Mosman Green is the name of the renovation project that will transform 21 Killarney Street Mosman from a run down, understated two bedroom cottage into a spacious, contemporary and sustainable family home.

Built in the post Federation area, the cottage remains in an original condition. The only modifications to the structure have been the addition of a small rear extension consisting of a sunroom and laundry and the renovation of the kitchen and bathroom in the 1970’s. In recent times, the cottage has been poorly maintained and as a result it suffers from the common problems associated with neglect, such as damp, mildew and cracking. Set on a good sized, slightly sloping site, the property only takes up half of the size of the site permitted by the planning authority. The current property also does not take advantage of potential second storey water views across to Quakers Hat Bay which forms part of Middle Harbour.

About the Area

Mosman is a well known, highly sought after suburb on Sydney ’s North Shore . Bounded by Sydney Harbour to the South and Middle Harbour to the North, the area was first settled in 1830 with the establishment of a whaling station in Mosman Bay . The area grew slowly with timber cutters, fisherman and farmers gradually moving into the quiet and peaceful neighbourhood.

In time the area grew in popularity for its serene and leafy environment, access to spectacular water views and its short distance (approximately 10km’s) to the Sydney CBD.

Mosman has a rich cultural heritage due to its harbour setting, topography, traditional vegetation, history and its built environment. Architecture in the area consists largely of domestic residences ranging in scale from small semi-detached homes to grand free standing mansions. Much of the building that took place in Mosman occurred in the Federation and Inter-War eras and this is reflected in the housing styles prevalent in Mosman today.

While there is a diverse range of housing styles in the Mosman area, they are predominately based on traditional and heritage designs, such as Federation Arts & Craft, Federation Queen Anne, Victorian Italianate, Sydney Regional, Spanish Mission/Mediterranean, Georgian Revival, Californian Bungalows. Typically these types of houses were on good sized blocks, with small front gardens and large back gardens, as was in keeping with the style at the time. During the Inter-War years, some small residential flats were also built in the area.

Post-War development in Mosman saw the introduction of more modern and contemporary Australian design, with a high importance placed on the aesthetic integration into the area. Medium-density development and the creation of high-rise buildings also made its debut onto the Mosman streetscape.

Character of Mosman

While Mosman today is viewed as being one of Sydney ’s more exclusive suburbs, it has maintained the strong sense of place that it has become renowned for.

This sense of place has been derived from a combination of Mosman’s harmonious street patterns, attractive streetscapes, residential development and architectural progression which reflect Mosman’s history. Its peaceful and serene setting despite its close proximity to the CBD is highly regarded, as is the charm exuded by its aesthetically pleasing townscape.

Mosman’s character is also strongly influenced by its breathtaking water backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the many coves, bays, beaches and inlets of Middle Harbour . A source of recreational pursuits, Mosman’s waterfront is the focal point of many properties in the area.

Many families are attracted to the Mosman municipality with several established schools in the area. The area is also popular for its high-end shops and boutiques, and has a plethora of top quality restaurants and cafes, adding to the ambience of the area.

Mosman – The suburb

21 Killarney Street , Mosman is located almost on the border between the areas defined by Mosman Council as the Ourimbah Landscape and the Middle Harbour/Pearl Bay Landscape.

The immediate area is characterised by a diversity of housing styles of varying ages that are of a fairly consistent and modest suburban scale, on a regular grid street pattern. On the Ourimbah Landscape side, houses are typically Post World War era, made from brick, timber and gabled roofs in keeping with the area. Gardens are generally of a small scale, featuring small shrubs, with mixed eucalyptus street planting providing a light tree cover.

On the Middle Harbour/Pearl Bay Landscape, houses are generally closer together, of a medium size on medium sized blocks and orientated towards the views. Many are Post 1920’s dwellings of a single storey, with modest gardens and gabled roofs.