9, Rothsay Gardens

No. 9 Rothsay Gardens is a large villa built in the late 19th century, with architect's drawings dated 1873. There may have been some refurbishment around 1890 and a small mid-20th century link block added to the adjoining property. This villa is a late example of the Georgian architectural tradition. It features red brick in Flemish bond, with stone sills, keystones, and a doorcase. The hipped slate roof has a wide cornice with modillions and tall brick chimneystacks topped with stone caps.

The building has two storeys, with five irregularly spaced windows on the first floor and six on the ground floor. The twelve-pane sashes have cambered heads with double stone keystones and wooden blind boxes on the ground floor. A prominent central stone doorcase with a pediment has a Gibbs surround and a studded door, which is larger and of a different design than shown in the architect's drawings, suggesting it may have been replaced around 1890.

At the rear, there is a tented wooden verandah that extends over two-thirds of the front and features two French windows. Inside, the front door opens into a spacious hall, from which an open-well timber staircase rises. This staircase has a different design from that in the architect's drawings and may be part of the 1890 refurbishment. It is an impressive feature with turned balusters and square newels supported by clusters of four short balusters, topped with a fine glass skylight above the stairwell.

The interior includes oblong plastered reliefs of classical motifs above the doors of the three reception rooms, along with panelled doors, picture rails, cornices, and some dados. Many original fireplace surrounds, tiles, and cast-iron work are still intact. There is also a service stair with stick balusters and turned newel posts.