Hoskins Estate (Sydney)

The Hoskins estate was the vision of George Hoskins for an ideal estate. Hoskins was a prominent and wealthy self-made industrialist, who built and lived in St Cloud (the large victorian-italianate mansion located opposite on Burwood Rd). In April 1903 he purchased 9-hactares of land opposite his residence with the plan to create a grand residential estate to be leased to upper middle-class tennants. The Hoskins Estate represents one of the first speculative subdivisions in Australia to follow a curvilinear layout. Comprising of 46 irregular blocks each between 0.1-0.3-hactares (1/4-3/4 acres) in area, the estate features shared ownership grass tennis courts and a beautiful informal street lined with brush-box trees. The large irregular blocks, wide tree lined street, and communal recreational area were all unique features for a residential development in the early 1900s.

The Hoskins Estate comprises a stunning collection of homes in the Federation Style (predominately Queen Anne). Of the 36 original houses erected by Hoskin's Company between 1904 and 1911, 30 still remain. Verona (also known as Sorata) on the south-eastern corner is perhaps the most grand of the individual residences

Today the Hoskins estate is a converted group of properties that are most lovingly maintained.