After 1788 diseases such as smallpox and the loss of their hunting grounds caused huge reductions in their numbers and they moved further inland.

On the shale ridges, heavily timbered woodlands contained several varieties of eucalypts while the swamplands and tidal mudflats had mangroves, swamp oaks (Casuarina glauca) and blackwattles (Callicoma serratifolia) after which the bay is named.

A shift in demographics occurred, with younger professionals and technical and administrative people servicing the corporate city wanting to live close by.

In contrast the elevated blocks to the north, with harbour views, became "villa retreats" where the prosperous middle class merchants escaped the crush of the city.

[1] By 1870 Mary Chisolm owned large portions of the original grant, and she commenced the subdivision and sale of the remaining lots in 1873.

In 1873 he bought two lots on Blackwattle Bay foreshore and two years later built a very large house which he called Venetia.

[10] In about 1896 Jarrett commissioned Ambrose Thornley, an architect to build Bellevue on the adjoining lot fronting the Bay (see photo on right).

Containing hall, 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and out offices, verandahs, garden and lawns".In 1890 a residence, The Poplars, was built opposite Venetia.

[13] In 1886, he established the firm of Warden Hotel Brokers in Pitt Street[14] and in the following year he married Mary Jane O’Dwyer.

After about 1925 the area around the Point at Blackwattle Bay became increasingly industrial and Bellevue became part of a timber yard for many years.

The newspaper The Glebe described it as “"a disaster area - deserted timber yards, empty fuel drums littered about, derelict houses and rusting hulks of barges moored to rotting jetties".

The c. 1950 survey by the City of Sydney shows the extent of their timber yard holdings, north and south of Leichhardt Street.

At that time, the foreshore land was zoned industrial, and described in The Glebe as "a disaster area - deserted timber yards, empty fuel drums littered about, derelict houses and rusting hulks of barges moored to rotting jetties".

However, after the original residences on the site were assessed as having heritage significance, the foreshore was subdivided and retained as a link, while the houses at 49, 51/51A, 51B and 53 had their squatters evicted and were sold with caveats which ensure their restoration and retention.

To ensure the long term protection of the item the Heritage Council at its meeting of 6 February 1986 recommended to the Minister that a Permanent Conservation Order be placed over Bellevue.

In 1988 the Australian Society of Authors expressed interest in establishing its headquarters in Bellevue, with a low level of use and some public access.

[1] In 1991 Leichhardt Council called for tenders for the lease, restoration and commercial use of Bellevue, and made a new wharf a condition of its development.

Successful tenderer Anthony Vick & Associates was to restore Bellevue and establish a restaurant with water access from a new wharf.

In 1998 further community consultation occurred when EDAW P/L prepared a Management Plan for Blackwattle Bay Park and Bellevue.

[17][1] In 1994 the Heritage Council approved work for the conversion of the building into a restaurant and caretakers flat and construction of a kiosk, store and toilets within the courtyard of the property.

In 2005, the City of Sydney commissioned a Conservation Management Plan for Bellevue and a development application was approved for its restoration and refurbishment as part of Glebe foreshore parks upgrading.

Part two storey stucco, new fibre cement shingle roof- plaster eaves brackets bullnose verandah.

In 2005, the Council commissioned a Conservation Management Plan for Bellevue, and a development application was approved for its restoration and refurbishment as part of Glebe foreshore parks upgrading.

In 2018, the SMH Good Food Guide noted a new cafe/restaurant operator Anthony Moskovitz was intending to 'rebirth' the Blackwattle cafe site as 'Antoine at the Cottage', to open March 2018 under the restrictions of the last tenant.

Both Bellevue and the physical remains of the adjacent Venetia are representative of houses constructed in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, which are common in the area.

[23][1] As at 5 May 2004, Bellevue was constructed c. 1896 and designed by local architect Ambrose Thornley and is a compromised example of a modest late Victorian dwelling with some characteristics of the Italianate style.

It is one of the few surviving examples of mid-late Victorian dwellings that characterised Jarrett's Point on the Blackwattle Bay foreshore.

The dwelling's form and general aesthetic character is representative of its architectural style, the late 19th century period of construction and the phase of residential development in the local area at the time.

However the comprehensive loss of detailing, joinery and ornamentation in association with its dilapidated state has eroded the representative formal aesthetic values of the place.

[1] Bellevue is significant to the local area for its landmark aesthetic values associated with its prominent siting on Jarrett's Point in the open space setting of Blackwattle Bay Park.