Castrella is a historical two-storey house, built in 1888, located at 127-129 Wentworth Avenue, Wentworthville, New South Wales.

Castrella is now visible from the train about half way between Pendle Hill and Wentworthville stations (on the left city bound).

Castrella is mentioned as a residence “off Hart Drive” which is an important part of the history and development of Greater Sydney and the Parramatta region.

[11] In March 1911, Castrella was sold to Martin Rowland Shannon, a barrister where he, his wife and his son resided[12][13] William Hart (1830–1910) arrived in Australia from England at the age of 24 and worked as a builder[14] and timber merchant[6] starting the company Hart & Sons and residing in the Parramatta region.

[17] William Hart Junior was known to be a philanthropist and supported his son and the Australian aviation industry financially.

[21] Bill Hart is also responsible for the first official plane crash in Australia in 1912 at the train line between Mt Druitt and Rooty Hill due to inclement weather and slightly clipping the railway signal.

Castrella was locally known in later years as “the White House”, was painted a historic colour in c.2022 in consultation with heritage specialists.

[2] Castrella is described on the NSW heritage listing as having “a gabled roof clad with slate, terracotta ridge capping and decorated bargeboards.

The verandah and balcony at the front of the building have cast iron fluted posts and lace balustrade, frieze/valance and brackets.

The front door has transom light and half glazed sidelights with dentils below.”[2] The bricks are solid and stamped.

[25] Bricks of this period in early Australian colonialism were solid and often contained a stamp to assist the mortar stick or bind more effectively and provide suction.