The Ridge, Newcastle

The Ridge is a heritage-listed residence and former hospital at 21 Hillcrest Road, Merewether, New South Wales, Australia. It was also known as Hillcrest Hospital. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[1]

The Ridge
Heritage boundaries
Location	21 Hillcrest Road, Merewether, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	32.9494°S 151.7504°E / -32.9494; 151.7504
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: The Ridge; Hillcrest Hospital
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	313
Type	Hospital
Category	Health Services
Location of The Ridge in New South Wales

History

The Ridge was built in 1861 by Edward Christopher Merewether, who had arrived in Newcastle as the General Superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company, and his wife, whose family owned two land grants in the area now known as Merewether.[2][1]

It was later used as a maternity hospital owned by the Salvation Army, but fell into disuse by the late 1970s and, in the early 1980s, a development consortium applied to demolish the house. However the NSW government intervened by permanently protecting it with a permanent conservation order. It then passed into private ownership and has been restored by the owners.[1]

Description

Photo of the Ridge (Hillcrest Hospital) taken on the 11th of May, 2020.

The Ridge is one of the most historically significant buildings in Merewether for its associations with the Merewether family from 1861, and its subsequent use as a hospital by the Salvation Army. It has landmark qualities perched on the edge of the Merewether ridge, with its steeply pitched gable roof. At the beginning of the 21st century the house forms a visually prominent built form within an area now well known for its large modern mansions. It also has interiors of historical interest.[1]

It was reported to be in excellent condition as at 16 November 2006.[1]

Heritage listing

The Ridge was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[1]

See also

References

1. "Ridge, The". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H00313. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
2. Newcastle Local Studies website, 2006

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Ridge, The, entry number 00313 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 1 June 2018.