The Hermitage is a historic house in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. It is listed on the Australian Register of the National Estate

Register of the National Estate

The Register of the National Estate is a listing of natural and cultural heritage places in Australia. The listing was initially compiled between 1976 and 2003 by the Australian Heritage Commission. The register is now maintained by the Australian Heritage Council...

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The main house was designed and built around 1870-1878 by Edward Mason Hunt, influenced by the design of Roslyndale, in Woollahra. It features a castellated tower, elaborately carved barge boards and a roof of multiple gable

Gable

A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...

s. The house was seriously damaged by a fire in 1936, and was restored by Emil Sodersten

Emil Sodersten

Emil Lawrence Sodersten was an Australian architect active in the second quarter of the 20th century. His work encompassed the Australian architectural styles of Art Deco and Functionalist & Moderne. His deign for the Australian War Memorial was "the first national architectural monument in...

. It was bought by the Woolworths

Woolworths Limited

Woolworths Limited is a major Australian company with extensive retail interest throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is the:* largest retail company in Australia and New Zealand by market capitalisation and sales...

company in 1964 and used as a staff training centre, but later returned to its original role as a private home. This Gothic house overlooks Hermitage Reserve and has harbour views. The Hermitage incorporates a smaller house, which was built circa 1840 by Alexander Dick.