Friday, April 24, 2026

Craigend - Darlinghurst - Darlinghurst Villas - Demolished 1922

 




"Craigend" - Darlinghurst - Demolished 1922



This Picture shows the members of the extended Pechey Family on the steps of Craigend Mansion on the Darlinghurst Ridge, about 2km from the city. 


This Beautiful Georgian Mansion at this time was owned by Alfred Pechey, who was a Solicitor & a Member of Parliament. It is the history of the home which is most interesting, being built in 1831 by the Surveryor & Explorer Thomas Mitchell, known As Major Mitchell. 


The Darlinghurst Ridge is a high ridgeline within the suburb of Dalirnghurst. It overlooks the surrounding area. It was chosen by Governor Ralph Darling as a prime location for the homes of the Colonial Elites. 


Craigend Was the first home to be built there in the whole Potts Point Area, on an allotment of over 9 Acres that was granted to Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell.


Major Mitchell arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1827, as he'd been appointed Assistant Surveyor General. He named "Craigend" after his family's home in central Scotland. 

The home was designed with Parthenon style Portico, which lead to it becoming known as the Acropolis of Sydney. Mitchell lived there for less than 10 years and sold the mansion in the late 1830's. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Plan Of Allotments at Craigend - Darlinghurst - 

the property of Sir T.L. Mitchell, S.G. &C. for sale by Mr. Stubbs


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


"Craigend" then had a succession of owners & then converted into a Hospital, then a boarding house in the early 1900's. It was Demolished in 1922 to make way for A Block of Flat (How Sad Is That?)









Overlooking Woolloolmooloo from The top Of the Darlinghurst Ridge - Craigend Mansion - Painted in 1845 by George Edwards Peacock


















Tuesday, April 21, 2026

“Prestonville” Later Named "Cairo" - 81 Macleay Street - Potts Point

 


"Prestonville" Later Named "Cairo" - 81 Macleay Street -  Potts Point 













______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Australian Town & country Journal  - Sydney - Saturday 27th May 1876 - Page 20 




















Evening News - Sydney - Thursday 9th August 1911 - Pg 5





______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The "Cairo"








______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Building Layout

















______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 13 November 1929, page 16



______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________