Charles Robert Summerhayes, 1860–1948

Charles Robert Summerhayes was an Australian architect, builder and politician who served on Ryde Municipal Council, including several terms as Mayor of Ryde.

In 1903, Summerhayes purchased 13 acres of land in Eastwood, bounded by present-day Clanwilliam Street, Shaftesbury Road and Tarrants Avenue (formerly Railway Road). A prominent and well-respected member of the local community, he was responsible for several subdivisions and the development of a number of residences and public buildings. He also served as Mayor of Ryde in 1911 and 1912.

Among his local projects was St Philip’s Anglican Church in Clanalpine Street, which he designed in 1907. He later built the Summerhayes Shops in Rowe Street, forming part of the early development of Eastwood’s shopping centre.

Summerhayes built his own home, Womerah, on the corner of Trelawney Street and Shaftesbury Road. He subsequently subdivided the surrounding land to create the Eastwood Heights Estate. Several of its streets were named after his wife and daughters, including Rose Street (now Stewart Street), Lily Street (now Coronation Avenue) and Alice Street (now Trelawney Street). The estate was promoted as offering “magnificent panoramic views of the city and suburbs”.

Summerhayes remained at Womerah for many years and died there at the age of 88. He was survived by his seven children.

Key works include:

• Womerah, Trelawney Street, Eastwood (1905)
• St Philip’s Anglican Church, Eastwood (1907)
• Summerhayes Shops Group, Rowe Street, Eastwood (c. 1920)
• Duke of York Theatre (later Odeon Eastwood), Rowe Street, Eastwood (1927; demolished 1973)
• Eastwood Park Grandstand, Eastwood (1933)
• Ryde Park Rotunda, Ryde (1934)