"Hylton Crest", 9E Paynters Avenue (1886)

In December 1885 Elizabeth Bramley purchased part of Section 92 Fitzroy District, forming part of the late Charles Hamblyn's estate. Soon after purchasing the section she had the current house constructed; the origin of the name "Hylton Crest" (or "Hilton Crest") is unknown, although may relate to the location of the house on a small hill.

The home was designed by prominent New Plymouth architect James Sanderson; with the main builder being Mr Sorrensen; the bricklaying and concreting by Mr Hooker and his employee Mr Brooks; and Mr Walsh completing the painting. The home is notable for the early use of concrete in the foundations, front veranda and steps.

Mrs Bramley appears to have rented out the home for at least some of the period in which she owned the property, as in 1896 when the property was listed for sale by Bramley, it was in the occupation of John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The property was sold to L. M. Taunton, a cycle engineer, in December 1896. 

The Hylton Crest property was purchased by Knox Presbyterian Church in July 1943 - it was used as the Manse from 1945 until 1955, when the section was subdivided, and the portion containing the original "Hylton Crest" house was sold for £2500 upon completion of a new Manse nearby.

A particular feature of the property is a very large Moreton Bay Fig, which is one of the largest trees in New Plymouth and may be larger than both the Hendrie Street and Pukekura Park trees.

"Hylton Crest" is one of the oldest villas in New Plymouth, and is notable for its high level of integrity, with both the interior and exterior in remarkably original condition. The home has technical value for its early use of concrete foundations and provides insights into construction methods of the mid-1880s. 

Related items:

Taranaki Land Deed Index I4 Page 330 and I4 Page 218 (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki DP3536 Sheet 1 (1915), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP6249 Sheet 1 (1945), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP8758 Sheet 1 (1960), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) at 9E Paynters Ave, The Notable Trees of New Plymouth, Cory Smith and George Fuller