What is a terrace house in Australia?
A terrace house in Australia is a narrow, attached house built in a row, often two stories high. Terrace houses are common in inner-city suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne, such as Paddington, Surry Hills, Fitzroy and Carlton.
Most terrace houses were built in the second half of the 1800s, when cities grew rapidly. They were designed to make efficient use of narrow blocks of land.
Many terrace houses have ornate cast-iron lacework on their balconies, known as Sydney lace or Melbourne lace. They often have a small front garden and a long, narrow backyard.
From slums to sought-after homes
In the early 1900s, many terrace houses were seen as slums, and some were demolished. Inner-city areas were often home to working-class families and migrants.
From the 1960s and 1970s, people began renovating terrace houses, and inner-city suburbs became fashionable. Today, terrace houses are highly sought after and expensive.
Terrace houses are an important part of Australia's architectural heritage. Many are protected by heritage rules. Their narrow shape can make them dark inside, so renovations often add skylights and open plan living areas.