Lavender Bay, Sydney: Australians divided over plans to demolish Federation home

The planned demolition of a 115-year-old home in an exclusive neighbourhood of Sydney has sparked fierce debate - even though locals say it's easily the 'grottiest' house on its street.

Some history buffs argue 37 Bay View Street in Lavender Bay, on Sydney's Lower North Shore, should be protected as an example of Federation-era architecture - while others say these early 20th century homes are a dime a dozen.

The four-bedroom property is not heritage-listed, meaning there is nothing protecting it from being knocked down and replaced by a modern glass dwelling that can be resold for millions.

Building plans submitted to the council show the architect's distinctly 21st century vision for the home in line with similar harbourside developments.

While its construction date is unclear, the original brick dwelling was first photographed in 1908 and is considered emblematic of the Federation style.

The median house price for the harbourside suburb, just 3km north of the CBD, is $4,912,500, and the median unit price is $1,550,000.

News of the development was revealed by the popular Instagram account Sydney Explained, which documents the city's architectural history and oddities.

'Captured before it disappears forever, this harbourside house constructed c.1908 at Lavender Bay is about to be demolished,' the post read.

The post states the house is not listed as heritage, nor it is located in a Conservation Area, and so 'nothing could save the 115-year-old house which will be replaced by a modern (mostly glass) dwelling'.

Many social media users were appalled at the news, calling the loss of the building 'sad' and 'a crying shame'.

'I hate the way real Sydney is being ushered out,' one person said. 

'Shame they [aren't] keeping the front and then just renovating the back. You could do a lot there and still retain a bit of history,' another commented.

'It’s the texture of the streetscape and the history (and some nice old houses) that are lost. Sad,' said another. 

Others, however, were not upset by plans to demolish the home, with one describing the residence as 'nothing special'.

Another said: 'Looks like a pretty standard issue federation house to me. Sydney has plenty of these, personally won’t be losing too much sleep on this one.'

One local remarked: 'It's currently the grottiest house in the street. 

'There's almost nothing as pleasing to the eye as an entire street of harmoniously blending federation cottages... but this isn't one of those.'

Some wondered why Sydney Explained had even featured 'random ugly house' on its Instagram feed, which is usually reserved for more noteworthy constructions. 

Sydney Explained posted images of the house in its current state, as well as an old black and white photo of the neighbourhood and a postcard featuring the property from 1920.

'The house is a Federation period brick dwelling with a hipped and gabled tile roof,' the caption states. 

'It presents as being single storey to Bay View Street and three storeys to Lavender Bay.'

The building hasn't always been a conventional house: it was converted into residential flats in the 1930s and only recently reverted to a single dwelling.

A Federation home refers to the style of residential architecture popular in Australia during the Federation period (1901–1914), which coincided with the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The style is associated with a period of national confidence and optimism, and is noted for its charm, craftsmanship, distinctive design and historical significance.