Two views

Lower Fort Street in about 1911

The same view this morning

Sophocles and Euripides, the charming pair of 1840s townhouses in the centre of both photos have been sold recently by Housing NSW.  Now it looks as if they are preparing to sell the next house in this line which also dates from the 1840s. It looks tired but reasonably intact, for example most of the original verandah posts remain with bottom sections replaced with brick. Some time since the top photo was taken, the pink brick house to the south of number 24 has been erected and appears squashed up against it. Not a particularly sensitive addition to the streetscape, but still in a "heritage" style. Wonder if Housing NSW will retain this newer house and only sell off the heritage houses they don't want to maintain.

Number 3 Lower Fort Street, one slice of Milton Terrace, is on the auction block tomorrow night, and so is another house in the street. If memory serves me correctly, the other house being auctioned has been auctioned before and not long ago by Housing NSW. There would be a lot of stress on the successful bidders on any of these heritage properties -- so many conditions and clauses and authorities to deal with.

Also stressful is the effect of these sales on our existing neighbours, many of whom have been here a very long time. It appears likely the government will want to sell all the heritage houses they own in Lower Fort Street (which amounts to nearly all the houses in the street). Just as likely the residents, both new and old, will want to maintain a mixed and lively neighbourhood. Let's hope there is some discussion that includes all residents in future plans.