From
Victorian times to early 1900s most houses built in Sydney had a single
frontage to the street. For example, a number of worker cottages in
Leichhardt were separated but closely built. This was considered an
important social improvement over the previous Victorian/Edwardian
terrace houses. Federation houses particularly, introduced the idea of
a double frontage with a forward gable and verandah fronting the
street. These became very popular as not only did they provide a more
attractive streetscape, the verandah allowed a usable area overlooking
the front garden (another feature of the Federation era).