Nassagaweya 37 Gray Road West End Brisbane

One of several, sizeable timber houses built at Hill End during the 1880s boom, Nassagaweya was built in c.1885 by architect Arthur Morry as his own residence. He was later to become mayor of South Brisbane and the local member of parliament. After Morry left the house in 1895 the property was probably rented until 1915 when it was purchased by a Scottish‑Canadian, John Gillies. He named the house Nassagaweya after his birth place in Ontario, a Delaware Indian word meaning 'home by the maple forests'. Gillies died in 1946 and the house remains in the family. Today it occupies a corner site, the adjoining streets of which are named after two previous owners of the property, Gray and Morry.

DESCRIPTION Nassagaweya is a two‑storeyed timber house (c.1885) with a pyramid roof in corrugated iron, which was previously slate. Built on a corner block, the square‑shaped core has a number of gabled projections on the street frontages. The front elevation is dominated by a double‑storeyed gabled verandah on the left which has cast‑iron balusters and frieze and a pierced timber valance. On the right is a gabled portico. This leads onto a small verandah, enclosed by timber louvres, which projects to the side. The side elevation is a complex arrangement of gabled insert verandahs, the louvred verandah and a projecting kitchen entry. Internally, the room spaces and joinery reflect the innovative spirit of the exterior. The house remains unaltered except for a room apparently added at the rear. The overall effect is an unusual and whimsical composition. Outbuildings, including stables, burnt down some time ago.

 Construction Method  Frame ‑ timber
 Fabric (Exterior Structure)  Timber ‑ chamferboard
 Fabric (Roof) Metal sheeting ‑ corrugated iron
 Roof Form  Pyramid
 Place Components  Service wing
Residential accommodation ‑ main house

Reference : Queensland Heritage Register.  Place ID 600227