JOHN YOUNG, known for Sydney’s Annandale houses. He was born and raised in England but moved to Australia, from
where he started making a name for himself. He was a master skill worker. an engineer, a mason, a businessman, and a politician.
He was remembered as the builder of St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Johnston Street houses. The houses on Johnston street was made remarkable because of design. The roofing of the towers had the look of a witch’s cap, which was why the houses were called Witches Houses.
There were originally 8 houses in Johnston Street that were built by John Young – 6 are still existing (Hockindon, Highroyd, Kenilworth, Abbey, Oybin, Greba) while 2 houses have been demolished (Rozelle and Claremont). Among the houses, the Abbey was most renowned. The Abbey has elements of Gothic and Romanesque architecture and was said to be designed originally by William Wardell, the same architect of St. Mary’s Cathedral.
