[1] Patrick White moved into Highbury in 1964 and lived there with his partner, Manoly Lascaris, after leaving his home in the suburb of Castle Hill.

[1] William Mark Nixon (1859-1931) entered private practice in partnership with J. S. Adam in the early 1890s, having previously worked in the Colonial Architect's Office and the Railways Department.

The suburbs had started to encroach on the property (at Castle Hill) and White decided to leave for a house closer to the centre of Sydney where his interests - music, theatre, film and friends - were concentrated.

[4][1] White was attracted by the open environment of Centennial Park, the proximity to the life of the inner city, the opportunity for a large, light and airy living area, combined sitting room, hall and dining room, modern furniture, polished floorboards with rugs and large wall spaces for painting.

[1] The internal alterations made by Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris were similar to their approach to their previous residence at Castle Hill in 1953 and combined several popular ingredients of modern interior design of the 1950s and 1960s.

A feature of the interior in the entrance hall is a collection of Greek icons and artworks, called 'Manoly's shrine' in William Yang's book.

Beyond, is a large Bokhara antique wall hanging that was purchased by Manoly in Egypt, which provides a focus in the hall at its junction with the stairs.

For example, the Lyrebird feathers in the sitting room from Withycombe, Mt Wilson, were a valued gift from Lizzie Clark, Patrick White's former nurse and "real mother".

A pug cushion was made for Patrick White his friend, Kate Fitzpatrick's mother, and paintings were gifted from Margot Lewers and Ninette Dutton.

The sitting room was fitted out by White with furniture from Artes Studio including table, chairs, sideboard and cupboard.

A stool is another item brought from the previous house, which at Castle Hill was used for milking and later was used for waiting for the opening of the Macquarie Galleries Christmas sale.

Curtains for all other windows were custom made by Finlandia, including the sitting room, Patrick White's study and first floor bedrooms.

The grape vine was planted to cover the pergola, which was grown from a cutting transported from Manoly Lascaris' garden at Castle Hill.

[1] As at 21 October 2004, 20 Martin Road is of outstanding significance for its long-standing association with the leading Australian author, Patrick White, and his books.

[1] The house, interiors and gardens provide a rare and remarkably intact record of the writing environment, lifestyle, inspiration, tastes, activities and interests of Patrick White at the peak of his career from 1964 until his death in 1990.

[1][7] Patrick White House was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 November 2004 having satisfied the following criteria.

The publication and success of most of Patrick White's major novels also coincided with the increasing professionalism of the study of Australian literature in Australia and internationally.

In the words of the Nobel prize citation, Whites' work introduced "a new continent" into world literature, as well as a new sense of national identity for many Australians.

The house, interiors and gardens provide an exceptional record of the writing environment, inspiration, lifestyle, tastes, activities and interests of Patrick White at the peak of his career from 1964 until his death in 1990.

This included the major novels The Vivisector, Memoirs of Many in One, The Eye of the Storm, and The Twyborn Affair, and the plays Big Toys and Signal Driver.

(David Marr 1996)[1] Patrick White lived at 20 Martin Road for 26 years until his death and was known to be very attached to the house, neighbourhood and Centennial Park, which he actively campaigned to protect in the 1970s.

Patrick White even threatened to leave the country if the house was demolished as part of the proposed Olympic sports complex in Centennial Park.

[9][1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The house at 20 Martin Road, built in 1913, represents an example of a Federation bungalow designed by the prominent Sydney architect, William Nixon.

[10][1] The value for Patrick White and his works has been well recorded, as the only Australian to have been awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, the highest international literary accolade.

His work testifies to the enduring human values of humility, tolerance and the capacity to love and to care for other people and the natural environment, a vision that has had a great impact on countless readers of his books.

Film maker Paul Cox records how "my basic love for Australia stems from his vision of the country, from his passionate understanding of this land".

20 Martin Road is significant for its rare potential to contribute to our understanding of the writings, interests and life of the author Patrick White and his partner Manoly Lascaris.

20 Martin Road is a very rare and intact record of the writing environment, lifestyle, interests and tastes of Australia's most famous author, Patrick White, over a period of 26 years at the peak of his career and acclaim.

20 Martin Road represents an outstanding example of the writing and creative environment of a leading Australian writer of the 20th Century.