The Chestnuts: 1885 Gothic Revival Brick Cottage on Denmark Hill

The Chestnuts was built in 1885 for watchmaker/jeweller Thomas Lyons. Triple-brick, Gothic Revival, high on Denmark Hill. Not your usual timber Queenslander.

And it found a bigger purpose fast. Mary Darnley-Morrison moved in and opened a finishing school. Piano scales, French verbs, dance steps—echoing through those thick walls.

Step outside. 3 Moreton Bay chestnut trees Mary planted still guard the fence. They gave the house its name and keep shading Court Street 130 years later.

The house still pulls a crowd. Great Houses of Ipswich tours featured it 2015 & 2019, and visitors leave talking bricks instead of boards.

Let’s have a deeper look:

Have a walk around The Chestnuts on Google Street View

📜 Origins & History

Dirk Blokland sketch of The Chestnuts from the book: Historic Ipswich.

• Built. The house was completed in 1885.
• Land. Thomas Brew Lyons purchased the land (entire corner block of Nicholas St and Court St) in 1858 for £75 (equivalent to $25k in 2025).
• First house. Lyons first built a brick duplex called Mona Lodge around 1863, lower down on the block (towards the Roderick St).
• Second house. In 1885, Lyons built the second house up on the corner (fronting Court St), which became The Chestnuts.
• Designer. The house was designed by Lyons’ cousin, John Mackenzie.
• Builder. Local carpenter John Stewart crafted the timber details inside.
• Purchased. Just after completion, Mary Darnley-Morrison bought The Chestnuts along with Mona Lodge.
• Name. She named the house “The Chestnuts” after planting Moreton Bay chestnut trees along Court Street—three still grow there today.
• School. The house operated as a popular girls’ finishing school until about 1900.
• Location. It sits high on Denmark Hill, which was a desirable spot in Ipswich during the late 1800s.
• Attention. Newspapers from 1885 described the new house in detail, praising its modern features.
• Address. The official address is 90 Nicholas Street, right at the corner of Court and Nicholas Streets.

🏗️ Architecture & Design

Inside photos of The Chestnuts from 2014 Realestate.com.au sale listing.

• Style. The house is built in a Gothic Revival style, unusual for the area.
• Material. Unlike many Ipswich homes, it’s built from solid brick, double-layered for strength.
• Roof. It has a steep gable roof made from corrugated iron.
• Windows. The attic features small Gothic-shaped windows.
• Verandahs. Both the front and back have wide verandahs with cast-iron railings.
• Layout. There are three floors: main living upstairs, kitchen and dining below, and an attic on top.
• Floorplan. Inside, stairs from the central lounge go down to the basement kitchen and laundry areas.
• Timber. Original floors and doors are made from Queensland red cedar.
• Brickwork. The walls are extremely solid—some areas are about three bricks thick.
• Pattern. The original exterior had decorative bricks laid out in a unique cross-stitch pattern.
• Size. Today, the home officially has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and sits on a block of 519 m².

⏳ Through the Years

• 1858. Lyons bought the land during Ipswich’s early growth period.
• 1863. He built Mona Lodge at the lower part of the site.
• 1873. Mary Darnley-Morrison leased Mona Lodge to start her school.
• 1885. The Chestnuts was built on the corner, and Mary quickly became its new owner.
• 1901. Mona Lodge was sold separately to Charlotte Grace.
• 1928. Mary Darnley-Morrison (the elder) died, leaving her daughter in the house.
• 1937. After nearly fifty years, the house was sold to the Peters family.
• 1940s. Owned by S. Hancock during the war.
• 1940s–1960s. Spent decades as a rental property.
• Late 1960s. Bought by Elizabeth and Ashley Clarke, who began extensive repairs.
• 1993. Sold to Allen and Linda Cooper, who had previously restored the exterior.
• 2013. Listed for sale at $789,000, but took several years to find a buyer.
• 2016. Finally sold for $720,000 to current owner, John Lyon.
• 2023. Hosted the Australian Garden History Society for a visit.
• Today. Remains a private home, well-maintained and occasionally open for tours.

🛠️ Renovations & Restorations

• Early days. Originally had an outdoor bathroom and brick outhouse.
• 1970s verandahs. The Clarkes rebuilt the original front and rear verandahs.
• Attic access. Added a safe spiral staircase to replace the old ladder.
• Interior. Restored original cedar floors and doors to good condition.
• Structural work. Foundation repairs and new roof iron to stabilise the building.
• Landscaping. Built garden terraces using stones from demolished Ipswich buildings and planted new trees.
• 1980s exterior. Coopers repaired exterior plaster and woodwork, improving overall appearance.
• Front fence. Built new brick gate posts and a perimeter fence in keeping with the original style.
• 1990s extension. Added a modern, three-storey rear extension that fits neatly with the old house.

Image showing The Chestnuts mid-90s three-storey rear extension.

• Recent upkeep. Current owner continues careful maintenance, restoring small details and repainting.
• Originality. Most original features remain intact, but verandahs and rear addition are newer alterations.

🌟 Why it Matters / Heritage Importance

• Listed. On the local Ipswich Heritage Register since 1991.

• Recognition. Selected multiple times for the Great Houses of Ipswich tours.
• Rare. Unique Gothic Revival style with brick construction is very rare locally.
• Educational link. Strong historical ties to women’s education through its past use as a school.
• Community. Regularly opens for public tours, connecting with the Ipswich community.