Tresco is a nationally significant heritage-listed mansion located at 97 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Designed and built between 1867 and 1883 by the acclaimed colonial architect Thomas Rowe, Tresco exemplifies the Victorian Italianate style and remains one of the finest surviving waterfront villas from Sydney’s nineteenth-century elite residential development.
Architectural and Historical Overview
The mansion was originally constructed as part of the subdivision of Alexander Macleay’s Elizabeth Bay Estate in the 1860s, one of Sydney’s most prominent early harbourfront estates. Rowe not only designed but also built the house himself, securing its reputation for high-quality stone masonry and craftsmanship. In 1883, George Wesgarth made additions that included the formal gardens and terracing that descend to the harbour.
Use and Heritage Significance
From 1903 until 1997, Tresco served as the official residence for senior Royal Australian Navy officers — first the Captain-in-Charge, and later the Flag Officer-in-Charge of Naval Establishments in Sydney. The property played a symbolic and functional role in Australia’s naval heritage and was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Tresco’s grounds include terraced gardens sloping down to the bay, a tall timber mast, a boathouse, and a restored boat pound. Mature fig trees and landscaped pathways reinforce its status as a rare surviving example of a Victorian-era waterfront villa estate integrated with its original harbour setting.
Ownership and Modern Developments
After being sold by the Australian Government in 1997 for approximately $9 million, Tresco was purchased by David and Janette Waterhouse in 2004 for around $11 million. As of 2024–2025, the property has been valued between $110 million and $130 million, reflecting both its heritage prestige and Sydney’s booming luxury property market. Janette Waterhouse also lodged a $23 million development application with the City of Sydney to add two houses on the grounds for family use, while maintaining the historic house intact.
Summary
- Location: 97 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay, NSW
- Built: 1867–1883
- Architect: Thomas Rowe
- Style: Victorian Italianate
- Heritage Status: NSW State Heritage Register (listed 1999)
- Historical Use: Naval residence (1903–1997)
- Current Ownership: Janette Waterhouse (as of 2025)
- Estimated Value: $110–$130 million
Tresco remains a key architectural and cultural landmark on Sydney Harbour, valued for its historical continuity, aesthetic merit, and enduring connection to both naval and civic heritage.
