Hampton Villa is a heritage-listed residence at 12b Grafton Street, Balmain, Inner West Council, New South Wales, Australia.

[1] Edward Hunt possibly occupied the property of Hampton Villa from as early as 1840 at the peak of his business success, influence and affluence.

The success and influence of Edward Hunt during this period also makes it probable that he would commission the leading and most sought-after architect of the time to build his home.

These include the use of sandstone quoining and very fine ashlar construction, the stone-flagged verandah, the depth of the verandah, the hipped roof, the generous proportions of rooms, the exceptionally high ceilings for the period (14 feet), the exceptionally fine cedar joinery that is a dominant feature of the interiors, the use of French doors with slender glazing bars and louvred shutters, the non-glazed kick-panels in the French doors (a Verge trademark), the elevated situation of building with a commanding hill top view, and the careful situation of the building within a planned and ordered landscape.

Between 1851 and 1856, Hunt purchased a number of the surrounding lots accumulating approximately 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) occupying all the land between Adolphus Street and Camerons Cove.

Montefiori had relocated from Victoria, where he had helped found the Victorian Academy of Art and was a trustee of the Melbourne Public Library, Museums and National Gallery.

Between 1871 and 1891 he was a director of the Pacific Fire and Insurance Co, and was one of the original founders of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales which opened in September 1880.

Parkes' residency at Hampton Villa coincided with a most tumultuous time in his political career and personal life.

In May 1890 Parkes was thrown from a carriage in the city and broke his leg in two places, confining him to the house for two and half months and intermittently for the remainder of the year.

Frank Wilson operated a knitting business from Hampton Villa, first from the old stone kitchen, and later from a small brick factory building constructed in the rear yard on the site of the former stables.

[1] Following Wilson's ownership, Hampton Villa was converted to flats until restoration in the later 1970s returned it to a private house, which it remains to this day.

[1] The ground floor interior consists of four main rooms paired either side of a wide central corridor, which is divided by internal double doors.

On its Grafton Street side a grove of Cocos Island (or Queen) palms, Syragus romannzoffianum flanks the house.

[1] Hampton Villa is associated with a number of prominent colonial personalities, most notably Sir Henry Parkes, who lived at Hampton Villa between 1888 and 1892 during his term as Premier of NSW; Edward Hunt, who built the house and was a councillor on the first Sydney Council and member of the Legislative Assembly; and Eliezer Montefiori a founder of the Art Gallery of NSW.

[1] Through its connection to Sir Henry Parkes, Hampton Villa is associated with the move towards Australian Federation, as it was the venue for at least one NSW Cabinet meeting and various government business during the 1890 constitutional debates.

[1] The house retains its visual relationship with the harbour and Sydney City and is a prominent landmark feature on the Balmain peninsula.

It displays the late nineteenth century subdivision pattern of Balmains' waterfront and demonstrates the encroachment of suburbia on colonial landscapes in Sydney.

Hampton Villa has strong historical associative significance as the home of Sir Henry Parkes, NSW Premier, and his family from 1888 to 1892.

[4][1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The building gives an insight into the construction and layout of an early Victorian house, while the surrounds and yard retain elements of its former setting.

The house retains views from Sydney city and the Anzac Bridge, recalling its prominent setting overlooking the harbour.

Hampton Villa has social significance for its role in the lead up to the Federation of Australia as the home and office of Sir Henry Parkes.

Its prominent position, and maintained views to the water are equally rare as modern harbourside development overshadows earlier surviving colonial structures.