Goderich Lodge – Bayswater Road / Penny’s Lane / Woolcott Street – Darlinghurst / Kings Cross – NSW
Built c.1830–1833 · Architect John Verge · Demolished 1915 · Site later Hampton Court / The Hampton
Behind today’s Coca-Cola sign — near the corner of Bayswater Road and Penny Lane, with the name still clinging to Goderich Lane — stood one of the Woolloomooloo Hill grant villas: Goderich Lodge, designed by John Verge for High Sheriff Thomas Hyacinth Macquoid. Named after Lord Goderich (Frederick John Robinson), Secretary of State for the Colonies. Demolished 1915 for Hampton Court. Welcome to the lodge — not Brougham Lodge at the Victoria Street junction; not surviving Oakleigh next door.
At a glance
- Address / site: Woolloomooloo Hill grant near Bayswater Road, Penny’s Lane and Woolcott Street, Darlinghurst / Kings Cross; footprint tradition places the house under later Hampton Court Hotel (Darlinghurst Road west of Oakleigh); laneway Goderich Lane preserves the name (DoS ~−33.8751, 151.2231)
- Built: c.1830–1833 (Dictionary of Sydney constructed years); Verge plan approved by Governor Darling January 1831; Macquoid in residence by 1832 (Villas of Potts Point)
- Architect: John Verge (DoS; Verge ledger / villa tradition)
- Style: two-storey villa with wide verandah and shuttered sash windows (DoS description)
- Original owner: High Sheriff Thomas Hyacinth Macquoid (arrived Sydney 1829; died at the house 12 Oct 1841)
- Later chapters: auction Dec 1841; tenant Bishop William Grant Broughton (DoS 1842–1852; Villas of Potts Point prefers 1848–1852 — conflict left visible); Surveyor-General Samuel Augustus Perry; 1850s purchase by Frederick Tooth (Tooth’s Brewery); later Captain Charles Smith (died at the lodge June 1897; widow Marjorie to at least 1904)
- Fate: demolished 1915; Hampton Court flats then hotel on the site; today apartment conversion The Hampton
Site & setting
Goderich sat on Macquoid’s Woolloomooloo Hill grant — over four acres authorised 1831, with a further grant in 1839 (Villas of Potts Point). The live scrapbook pins the site to the Bayswater / Penny Lane cell behind the Cross sign, and to Goderich Lane behind the old Hampton Court. Keep Oakleigh (Victorian Italianate, still standing nearby, SHR) as a neighbour story, not this post.
Do not merge with Brougham Lodge (Dowling; Victoria Street / Darlinghurst Road junction; Holiday Inn footprint) or with the later Hampton Court hotel chapter beyond site succession.
Timeline
- 1829 – Thomas Hyacinth Macquoid arrives; appointed High Sheriff of the Supreme Court of NSW (DoS).
- 1831 – Grant over four acres; Governor Darling approves Verge plan (Jan).
- By 1832 – Macquoid living at Goderich Lodge, named for Lord Goderich.
- c.1830–1833 – Construction window (DoS).
- 1840s Depression – Macquoid’s finances collapse (Waniassa / Tuggeranong farming losses in live tradition; drought and colonial financial stress).
- 12 Oct 1841 – Macquoid dies by suicide at Goderich Lodge (DoS date).
- Dec 1841 – Estate auction; succession of tenants and owners begins.
- 1842/1848–1852 – Bishop William Grant Broughton tenant (DoS starts 1842; Potts Point villa notes prefer 1848–1852). Wife dies at the house 1849.
- 1850s – Frederick Tooth purchases; later sale to shipping merchant Captain Charles Smith.
- June 1897 – Captain Smith dies at the lodge (embolism in live tradition); Marjorie Smith remains to at least 1904.
- Subdivision – Original grant cut into multiple properties (1864 Empire auction clippings in live scrapbook).
- 1915 – Goderich Lodge demolished; Hampton Court (100 flats, later hotel) rises on the site.
- Today – The Hampton apartments; Goderich Lane name survives.
Architecture & interiors
Prefer DoS over invented cedar lists: a two-storey villa with wide verandah and shuttered sash windows. Verge attribution is secure in DoS and the Woolloomooloo Hill villa literature (alongside Rockwall, Tusculum, Elizabeth Bay House tradition). No surviving lodge fabric — the live post’s 1910 City Archives view down Penny Lane shows subdivided Victorian terraces, not the lodge itself.
People & anecdotes
Macquoid — Irish-born Sheriff, East India Company Java / India chapter in live tradition — anchors the tragic first decade: overwhelmed summonses office, debt, suicide at the house. Son Thomas Hyam Macquoid later died in the Dunbar wreck at The Gap (1857); body not recovered — memorial anchor tradition at The Gap (live post).
Broughton brings the first Anglican bishopric into the Cross villa belt; Sarah Broughton’s 1849 death at Goderich is the domestic counterpart to Macquarie Street church politics. Tooth and Smith close the merchant century before the 1915 clearance.
Gallery
Transcription:
In one or more lots to suit purchasers.
GODERICH ESTATE,
DARLINGHURST.
PEREMPTORY SALE.
By order of the Trustees of the Will of the late
Transcription (first image):
PEREMPTORY SALE.
By order of the Trustees of the Will of the late
CHARLES SCOTT, Esq.
MONDAY, 31st October.
RICHARDSON and WRENCH have received instructions from the Trustees of the estate of the late Charles Scott, Esq., to sell by public auction, at the Rooms, Pitt-street,
On MONDAY, 31st October, at 11 o'clock,
That extensive valuable city property,
GODERICH ESTATE, DARLINGHURST,
adjoining "WARATAH," the residence of GEORGE KING, Esq., and opposite the celebrated CRAIGEND and KELLETT estates.
GODERICH LODGE AND GROUNDS.
This MAGNIFICENT and TRULY ELEGANT CITY MANSION is massively and faithfully built of cut stone, in the modern style of architecture, and is surrounded on three sides by a fine wide flagged verandah. The following is a list of the Rooms, which are all completed and finished in the highest style:—
Drawing-room 26 x 17
Dining-room, 26 x 17
Ball room, [?58] x [?22]
Library
Breakfast-rooms
Butler's pantry, china closet
Store room, larder
12 spacious lofty bedrooms
[?3] waterclosets
2 bath-rooms, supplied with hot and cold water
Kitchen, with large valuable range
Laundry, with copper, supplied with hot and cold water
Ironing-room.
The out-offices comprise stables, coach-house, harness room, &c.
Transcription (second image):
GODERICH LODGE is a COMMODIOUS WELL-APPOINTED CITY MANSION, with SPACIOUS LOFTY APARTMENTS, and superior accommodation. The whole of the premises are very substantially built, and in first-class order. The elevation is handsome and bold, and the interior though highly embellished, is tastefully and elegantly finished. The domestic arrangements are very superior; hot and cold water is laid on in the several pantries, kitchens, laundries, bathrooms, &c., and no expense has been spared in rendering the whole, for
COMPLETENESS AND LUXURIOUS CONVENIENCE
a most desirable and
PERFECT MODEL RESIDENCE.
THE GROUNDS contain an area of about ONE ACRE AND A HALF, with a frontage of 427 FEET TO UPPER WILLIAM-STREET, being the
CHOICEST SITE ON THE DARLINGHURST HEIGHTS.
They comprise VERDANT LAWNS, graceful SHRUBBERIES of richly foliaged trees, PARTERRES of rare flowers and plants, BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED and ARTISTICALLY LAID OUT.
The eastern end of the grounds adjoining "WARATAH," has been subdivided into
TEN SPLENDID BUILDING SITES,
each having about 24 feet frontage to
UPPER WILLIAM-STREET, North and South,
with a depth of about 136 FEET, extending to a lane at the rear.
THESE CHOICE SITES are part of the orchard and vegetable garden attached to the lodge grounds, and are planted with valuable fruit and ornamental trees, and otherwise improved.
[☞] Without comment Richardson and Wrench would direct special attention to this UNEQUALLED CITY PROPERTY, and to the desirable opportunity for advantageous investment, with large prospective advantages.
Transcription:
The instructions from the trustees of the late Mr. Scott are positively to effect a sale, to close the estate, and intending purchasers are respectfully invited to inspect the House and Grounds prior to the sale, for which purpose CARDS TO VIEW may be obtained at the Rooms, where also A PLAN OF THE ESTATE may be inspected.
TITLE, UNQUESTIONABLE.
Terms at sale.
Transcription:
[Hand-drawn survey plan of the grants on Woolloomooloo Hill, showing Goderich Lodge and Perry's house (later Kellett House). Principal legible labels:]
Saml Perry's Grant
3 . 2 . 8
dated Octr 19. 1831
Thomas Macquoid's Grant
4 . 1 . 24
dated Octr 19. 1831
[in red:] The space between [?Peeks] and J C Brown['s] purchase is the [?Bolton] [?Mortgage] and contain 2 . 3 . 33
[house block labelled, in pencil:] Goderich Lodge
Thos Macquoid's Grant — Second portion — 3 . 1 . 27 — dated Sep 23 1839
Thos Macquoid's Grant — Last portion
T L Mitchell's Grant — First Portion — a r p 0 . 0 . 33 — dated June 15 1841
T L Mitchell's Grant — Second Portion — [?] 1 . 23 — dated June 15 1844
Smith and Barker
Mr Thos Barker [adjoining grant, top boundary]
[in red:] Reserved Road · First Sale · J Patten · A Oliver · Brown's [?purchase]
[Road at foot of plan:] Woolloomooloo [?Road]; [pencil:] now Darlinghurst [?Road]
[Right margin, vertical:] [?T.] L. Mitchell Esqr — Grant 19 Oct 1831
[Note, lower left, handwritten, left edge cut off; partly legible:]
The bearings and lengths on this map agree with that … taken by Gov. for making out deeds of grants … They differ a little [from] those taken before that, by the original surveyor of the land. It is customary … has been adopted here to yield to the particulars inserted in the grants … dimensions &c in black ink show the particulars agreeing with the grants … in red show the subdivisions since made for sale, mortgage &c.
[Lot numbers, chain/link dimensions and bearings are not transcribed; many small red and pencil annotations too faint to read.]
Transcription:
S7c 142/1
BY ORDER OF
PERPETUAL TRUSTEE COMPANY LTD.
Executors under the will of the late Chas. Smith
GODERICH ESTATE
DARLINGHURST
Frontages to BAYSWATER ROAD & WOOLCOTT STREET
For Sale by Public Auction on the Ground
SATURDAY 11TH DECEMBER 1909 at 3 p.m.
RAINE & HORNE
Auctioneers 86 Pitt St
[Plan labels:] BAYSWATER ROAD · KELLETT ST · ROAD · "Hotel Mansions" · LANE 20 feet wide · LANE · WILLIAM ST · DARLINGHURST · VICTORIA ST · CRAIGEND ST · TRAM LINE · WOOLCOTT STREET · "Waratah"
[Lots numbered 1–14 fronting Bayswater Road and 15–34 fronting Woolcott Street.]
"TORRENS TITLE"
Solicitors to the Estate: [?Macnamara & Smith], [?Hilson] Chambers, [?Castlereagh] St
TERMS: 25% deposit, and the balance in 6 equal yearly instalments with interest at 4½ per cent per annum. [small print, partly uncertain]
All measurements subject to Deposited Plan.
DOBBIE & KENNY
Licensed Surveyors under R.P. Act, [?Norwich] Chambers, Hunter Street
Transcription:
DARLINGHURST
FRONTAGES TO WOOLCOTT-STREET.
FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON THE GROUND
SATURDAY, 27th MAY, 1911 AT 3 P.M.
BY
RICHARDSON & WRENCH Ltd, Auctioneers, Pitt Street, Sydney,
in conjunction with
KING AND HUMPHERY, Pitt St, Sydney.
TORRENS TITLE
[Pasted newspaper cutting:]
PROPERTY MARKET.
Richardson and Wrench, Ltd., report having sold on the ground on Saturday afternoon 13 out of a total of 20 lots of Connolly's Paddock, Lane Cove-road and West-street, North Sydney, at prices ranging from £10/7/6 to £10/5/ per foot. Total amount of sale, £4062/15/.
The same firm also report having held, in conjunction with King and Humphrey, a successful sale of the Goderich Estate, fronting Woolcott-street, Darlinghurst. In spite of the inclement weather, there was a good attendance and active competition. The whole catalogue of 20 allotments was disposed of at prices ranging from £24 to £20 per foot frontage. Total amount of sales, £8144.
Hugh Duff and Co. report having held a very successful sale of the Abbotsford Estate, Abbotsford, which was sold by public auction on the ground on Saturday, May 27, prices ranging from £1/7/ to £4/5/ per foot. Total sales, £1000/7/5. The attendance was fair, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather.
[Handwritten, blue pencil:] Total Sales £8,144
[Handwritten, ink:] This land was offered @ Auction by Raine & Horne on 11th December 1909
[Handwritten:] See Plan in Cupboard [?Darlinghurst] — D'hurst D. 109
[Plan labels:] STREET · ROAD · KELLETT ST · BAYSWATER ROAD 66' wide · To Watson's Bay · TRAM LINE · WILLIAM ST · From Sydney · DARLINGHURST · VICTORIA · To Sydney · CRAIGEND ST · LANE 20 feet WIDE · Footpath 9 Ft wide · WOOLCOTT STREET
[Lots numbered 1–20 fronting Woolcott Street; frontages and depths and later pencil annotations not transcribed.]
TERMS: 10% Deposit and the Balance in 12 equal Quarterly instalments with Interest at 5% per annum.
All measurements Subject to Deposited Plan.
William Brooks & Co Ltd, Lith, Sydney.
H. E. C. ROBINSON, Litho & Draft, 41 Phillip St, Sydney.
[Library stamp:] D2/72
.jfif)
What stands today
Goderich Lodge is gone. Walk Goderich Lane behind the old Hampton Court footprint; read the Coca-Cola / Bayswater corner as the grant cell, not the surviving villa. The Hampton apartments mark the hotel succession on the lodge site.
- Map pin: Goderich Lane / former Hampton Court, Darlinghurst Road–Bayswater Road cell.
- Do not merge with Brougham Lodge (Holiday Inn / Victoria Street junction).
- Do not confuse with standing Oakleigh (SHR neighbour).
Sources & further reading
- Dictionary of Sydney — Goderich Lodge: https://dictionaryofsydney.org/building/goderich_lodge
- Dictionary of Sydney — Macquoid, Thomas Hyacinth: https://dictionaryofsydney.org/person/macquoid_thomas_hyacinth
- Potts Point Preservation Society — The Villas of Potts Point (Goderich Lodge chapter)
- Wikipedia — John Verge (Woolloomooloo Hill villa list including Goderich Lodge)
- Heritage NSW / Oakleigh entry (contextual neighbour note citing Goderich demolition 1915 / Hampton Court / Goderich Lane)
- Richardson & Wrench — The Hampton site history (Goderich Lodge succession)
- Live scrapbook (Empire 1864 clippings; CoS 1910 Penny Lane; grant plan): https://historicsydneymansionsmanorshouses.blogspot.com/2016/06/goderich-lodge-darlinghurst-new-south.html
- My Darling Darlinghurst — Villas of Darlinghurst tradition (secondary)
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