Presents
36 Rennies Mill Road- For Sale
In the heart of the Rennies Mill Rd Historic District / National Historic Site where a remarkably harmonious and homogeneous grouping of upper middle-class residences dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that are, for the most part, closely associated with individuals prominent in the political, financial and social life of Newfoundland in that period.
It is thought that 36 Rennies Mill Road would have been built in 1847. The date may relate to the fact that 2000 downtown homes and buildings were destroyed in the fire of 1846, started by a pot of glue that boiled over at Hamlin’s cabinet shop. As a result, some residents opted to move North to a safe and tranquil retreat and build new homes on the barrens, with many former downtown residents building on the road to Portugal Cove. That road started at what is now Rennies Mill Road.
36 Rennies Mill was thought to have been built by William Bickford Row (Oct 3, 1786-July 29, 1865), who emigrated from Torquay in Devon. Row was involved in the fish trade between England and Newfoundland as an agent for William Bickford, and latterly an agent for William Vallance of Devon. In 1826, Row entered practice as a lawyer and in 1834 became the first Treasurer of the Law Society of Newfoundland. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the first Legislative assembly in 1832. However, he was elected to represent Trinity in an 1834 by-election held after John Bingley Garland was named to the Executive Council.
The architectural elements, consisting of the vernacular façade and interior elements are totally intact and reflective of the period of construction. James Thomas Southcott and his elder brother John, architects and builders arrived from England in 1847 to assist in the rebuilding after the 1846 fire and it is indeed possible that the Southcott brothers had a hand in the construction of this very well-built home. The Southcotts later acquired the Warne estate on Rennies Mill and Monkstown Roads and built a fine selection of “second empire” homes which still stand today.
The generous front porch was thought to be a later addition as the original well-crafted Georgian portico entry, drawn from classical Roman and Greek architecture, still stands inside the porch. This iconic style entry, reminiscent of 10 Downing Street and many such porticos in England, incorporates a hooded paneled arch and five panel oval glass transom, capped by a symmetrical pediment. This architectural symmetry and balance, reflective of the Golden Mean, is evident throughout the home.
The generous porch opens to a welcoming foyer - living room with fireplace to the left and dining room with fireplace to the right. The adjacent kitchen opens to the rear garden bordering directly on Bannerman Park, the oldest park in the city.
The sweeping staircase to the second level is striking and, on this level, there are two generous bedrooms and a den. Tucked away in the attic under the bracketed eaves are three additional bedrooms.
This home is very much a greenfield project for a new owner as it lacks the constraints imposed by any prior detractive renovation work and presents an incredible opportunity to honour the outstanding historic integrity, while adapting to contemporary lifestyle elements and modern living. A buyer may wish to apply for designation by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and potentially benefit from funding to go towards exterior restoration.
New owners can bring out the stories lingering in the patina of the floorboards sweeping curved banister polished by hands young and old. The cozy practical soul reveals the best of architectural elements of mid 19th century St. John’s.
The walkability index for this location is exceptional. A gate could potentially be installed to allow one to walk out the back door to the skating loop, swimming pool, playground and everything else Bannerman Park has to offer. Enjoy at least three bakeries within walking distance. Take in a Gelato and coffee at the Parlour across from the park or walk to Bannerman Brewery for lunch and local craft beer. It is an easy walk to downtown, and the kids can readily walk to all schools and MUN. The Rennies River Trail system is accessible behind Riverdale Tennis Club.
Price $499,000
For further information, please call Chris O’Dea at 709-785-6559
Enjoy the remaining photos
Click thumbnail below to enlarge image:
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