Original Villas Of Darlignhurst -

 

The Original Villas Of Darlinghurst

It's Really Hard To Imagine What It was like in Kings Cross & Potts Point 150 years Ago, when Darlinghurst & Potts Point Were being built literally from the ground up. Every Time I walk through that area I try to imagine where the Houses had been, & what they looked like, & property Boundaries & the way the topography of the land is now. 

There is very little left, next to nothing actually of the Grand Structures that used to be there, from stables, cottages, servants quarters, and carriageways. 

In the early days the area had been named "Henrietta Town", named after Governor Macquarie's wifes First Name. 
The First House Of Note Was "Craigend" Fronting Upper William St South, now Wollcott St, built by Sir Thomas Mitchell, Surveryor General . 

Just behind "Craigend" was the last of old Darlinghurst Windmills, known as Hynde's Windmill. Originally there were 3, one near the goal,  2 were made of wood & required Manual labour but the third was mechanical.

Across Upper William St at its junction with Darlinghurst Rd, formerly Woolloomooloo Rd, was the property of the Hon Richard Jones MC known as "Merchant Jones" which extended into, & along Darlinghurst Rd. The property was built on a portion of land 3 acres 2 rods & 8 perches in extent, formerly granted on 19th October 1831 to Mr S.A. Perry.  The land extending between it & Roslyn Hall was afterwards the site of Alberto Terrace, built & owned by John Solomon. 
Next going east was a grant dated 23rd September 1839, of 4 acres 2 rods & 24 Perches, to Thomas McQuoid mentioned before. 

"Kellett House" was built on it by Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson, the first Premier in 1856 under Responsible Government; he lived there for some years & it was afterwards owned  by Mr W.F. Buchanon, who pulled down the house, & built a terrace there known as "Bayswater Terrace"

Then there came "Sevenoaks" & "Eaton" where Mr Edward Knox, & afterwards Captain Martindale, then occupied by Mr Edward Fosberty, the late Inspector General of Police

On the opposite side of Princes Road (Off Bayswater Road) & in front of "Sevenoaks" which also had a frontage to that road, were 2 cottages, one known as "Lara"  was occupied by Mr James Norton - Solicitor, before he went to Double Bay. The other house was pulled down & it has been occupied by Lady Dowling, when she vacated "Brougham Lodge" on the death of Sir James Dowling, & after her Sir Henry Parkes & Mr W.H. Piddington. 

Then to the east of Upper William St North came 2 cottages next to "Eaton" with an old fashioned wooden pump at the bottom of the private road between them, belonging to Mr T.W. Smart. Then there was Vacant Land round & along the gate of Roslyn Hall, owned by Mr Thomas Barker; he built the house, Mr Ambrose Hallen being the architect, living there for a time. St Canice Roman Catholic Church Stands on the site of the exit gate of the property

"It is hardly Visible to the eye from the South Head Road, being surrounded by Advertisement Boardings. Opposite was West's Bush, densely timbered, where the black used to camp. 

Just to the north of "Craigend" is "Goderich Lodge" which was built & lived in by  Mr T McQuoid, the then Sheriff in the 1830's until he died in 1841. The Bishop of Sydney (Dr William Grant Broughton was also a tenant, also Mr S.A. Perryu, the Deputy Surveyor General, Mr William Carr Solicitor in 1848, Mr Charles Scott - Ironmonger, & Mr Frederick Tooth Sold it to Captain Charles Smith of the firm Mcdonald Smith & Co, & was occupied by his widow.  At  one time its gardens extended to the Junction of Upper William Street (North) now Bayswater Road, & Upper William Street (South) where the Warahtah Hotel is now. Subsequently "Waratah" was built next to & on the East side of "Goderich Lodge"

Just a little below these to the east was a later built house, owned by Mr John Williams, the Crown Solicitor, now "Kurragheen"; next thereto was "Hillside" now the site of a large building to be used as dwelling flats, & next to that was a small cottage...

Behind "Hillside" was a house in which the Late Mr Justice Hargrave resided.  The land on which it was built was a portion of 70 Acres grantred on 30th May 1844 to Mr T West.  Roslyn St had not been formed but the Southern boundary of the property ran along to the Junction of Macleay St with the site of its present junction with Rosyln St, close there were 2 Windmills owned by Mr T Barker. 

The "Roslyn Hall" property fronted Macleay St, & the second iron lattice entrance gate at the entrance was in Darlinghurst Rd, nearly opposite "Springfield".The house was a large well built mansion, with a spiral iron staircase to the upper storey; the rooms were large, with a bath fixed in most of the bedrooms level with the floor, so that one had to step down, not up, to get into it.

 
"Roslyn Hall"  was one of the gayest houses of the time. The land extended on the South East to the site of St Canince Church, taking in Roslyn Gardens & Roslyn Road to the East, & on the north "Barnclueth" now called "Kinneil" & part of Elizabeth Bay Road.

 
To the north is "Chevverals" on part of the Macleay grant, next came a large substantial cottage or low built house at the corner of Macleay Street.

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Spacious Days Of Long Ago - New Flats For Old Mansions - A Legacy of Ill - Sydney Morning Herald - Saturday 23rd July 1938 - Page 13

- Specific Houses Mentioned in Article are - 

- Craigend  Mill - Built of Stone - 90ft High - DEMOLISHED     

- "Roslyn Hall" - DEMOLISHED

- "Larbert Lodge" @ Larbert Avenue - DEMOLISHED

- "Grantham" - DEMOLISHED     1937

- "Springfield Lodge" - DEMOLISHED

- "Tusculum" - 

- "Rockwall" - 

- "Tarmons" - Part Of The Catholic School - Home of Sir Maurice O'Connell 

- "Barnclueth" (Kinniel) - DEMOLISHED - Made A Multi Level Carpark 

- "Maranamah" - DEMOLISHED - King Cross Park - Fitzroy Gardens 

- "Cheverells" - DEMOLISHED      

  

* Elizabeth Bay House - The  Entrance Gates To The Private Carriageway Stood At The Start Of Elizabeth Bay Road & Onslow Avenue. The Stables Were Located At Holdsworth Avenue

* Jenner House - 

- "Greenknowe" - DEMOLISHED - Made Greenknowe Avenue

- "Orwell House" - DEMOLISHED - Made Orwell Street 

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.

This cottage was purchased and considerably added to & converted into a house by Mr Sparke, who named it "Maranamah", & his family lived there for a time. Located at 64 Macelay Street. 

Fitzroy Gardens wasn't always a public Space & Park. There used to be 3 Exlusively Beautiful Homes on the land. 

"Maramanah" was built in the 1840's for the shipping Merchant Deloitte. The house was then sold to Anna Challis.....  

From There it went through many owners, including the Hollander Family Who featured in Robin Dalton's 1965 Memoir Aunts Up The Cross"

During the Second World War, "Maranamah" became a recreational centre for the USA Navy & then a Royal Navy Canteen. When the War was over, several returned Servicemen & their families Squatted in the 20 Room Mansion, demanding they be allowed to live in it.  There was a lack of Post War Housing, & the Community supported them  but the Mood Changed  when it was alleged that Communist Party Meetings were taking Place inside. 

"Maranamah" was taken over by the City Of Sydney, & operated as a Hostel until the Mansion & its Grounds were added to The Parcel of land from which Fitzroy Gardens was created and demolished in 1954. 

 

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"Cairo" - 81 Macleay Street 
The Ikon building - formerly the Chevron Hotel - may have a Special Place in Potts Point History, but it actually stands On the Site of A Plush hotel & Guesthouse named "Cairo". Featuring 2 Lawn Tennis Courts & a large Garden. "Cairo" Started its life as a Mansion Called "Prestonville" & Only became a Hotel in 1911. 

In 1929 Mrs JJ Copeman sold "Cairo" at 81 Macleay Street  for 45,000 Pounds to Mr LH Hinks. It was his intention to build a Big Block Of Flats on the site. 
It Was Widely Regarded As one Of The Most Beautiful Buildings in Kings Cross, until it was Knocked Down in 1959 to Make Way For A Block Of Flats. 

"Barnclueth" adjoining "Roslyn Hall" was occupied by Mr John Brown, Senior Partner of Brown & Co, wine & spirit merchants & afterwards Mr Hernry Moore, the Agent for P&O company, when the Steamers of the company only arrived once a month, & fired a gun off Fort Denison to announce their arrival. It was later purchased by Mr Amos, the Contractor, & added to & modernised, & is now called "Kinneil" & utilised as a boarding house

Following down Macleay Street, next to the house occupied Mr Hodgson, the land was vacant until arriving at "Greenknowe", also on portion of the Macleay Grant, the residence of Mr John Gilchrist the Senior Partnert of Gilchrist, Watt & Co & it was ultimately purchased

Next came two smaller dwellings, & then "Larbert Lodge" which was built & tenanted by Mr C.D. Riddell, the Colonial Treasurer. 

Next to this property was a stone rubble wall, the western boundary of the Macleay Grant, down to the centre of Potts Point, where "Chatsworth": was built in later days by the Hon C J Roberts. This Wall was erected  by William Sharp Mackey, a son of Alexander Macleay. He was a recluse & a naturalist. He had the credit of having loose bloodhounds about the property as a safeguard against thieves & marauders, but I think this was only meant for a scare. He always guarded the beach on Elizabeth Bay, & wouldn't allow anyone to land there, or even anchor a boat there. The Macleay property was 54 Acres in extent, & was granted to Mr Alexander Macleay By Governor Darling in 1828, who in despatch to the Right Honourable William Huskinsson, dated 128th March 1828 stated: - "The land granted to Mr Macelay at Elizabeth Bay, a mile & a half from Sydney, was for the purpose of erecting a family house & cultivating a garden. Mr Macleays knowledge as a Horticulturalist is likely to prove beneficial  to the Colony. He has already spent a considerable sum on the improvement & cultivation of his grounds, & in erecting a stable & offices preparatory to building a house, which it is his intention shortly to commence, From the manner in which he has entered into this undertaking & scale on which he has commenced to settle & stock the land he has received for agricultural purposes ( the usual grant of 2,500 acres), he will, no doubt, prove an important acquisition to the Colony in this respect alone, the Capital which he has already vested in stock & is still continuing to expand, being considerable."
The Grant took in all Elizabeth Bay & the Western Frontage of Rushcutter's Bay, as far as the Eastern boundary of "Roslyn Hall". It was approached by Elizabeth Bay Rd, as at present. The house was the present "Elizabeth Bay House", another good speccimen of the family mansion.
The frontage to Macleay Street, from the corner of Elizabeth Bay Rd to "Chatsworth" was later built upon. 
The rest of the estate, with the exception of Elizabeth bay House, & grounds, was later divided into numerous building allotment by Mr Alexander Macleay's Son, the late Sir George Macleay, & let on long building leases, on which the present residence & villas were erected. The formal Grant was dated 19th October 1831. Elizabeth Point was so named by Governor Macquarie after his wife's Second Name. The Native name was "Yarrandabby"
A large portion of land near ther extreme Potts Point, 11 Acres in  extent, was originally granted to Mr Judge Adviocate John Wylde on the 1st November 1822 (who was the last Judge Advocate, & for a short time a Judge of the Supreme Court under the Charter of 1823) who delayed fuilfilling the conditions of the grant, for Governor Darling in the above despatch  of 26th March 1828 states :- "The Allotment bearing Judge Wyldes name was granted to that Gentleman by Governor Macquarie several years sincce, & still remains unimproved. I propose writing to inform the Judge that it will be resumed by the Government unless the conditions of the grant are speedily fulfilled. "
However, he ultimately fulfilled the conditions. he subsequently converyed 6 & a half acres of it to Mr J.H. Potts, who was one of the early officers of the Bank Of New South Wales, hence the Name Potts Point. It was also called Point Campbell in a survery by Governor Phillip in 1792. The native name was "Carrageen" The street from the end of Macleay Street opposite "Grantham" is called Wylde Street, evidently after the judge. 
On the North Side of this street, built on this land, were the present "Bellevue", "Clarens","Creelwood", "Clifford","Tarana", some of which have been rebuilt or added to or renamed, including the site of Mr W.R. Halls modern "Wildfell", & opposite thereto "Bomerah", belonging to the McQuade family, a few years ago occupied by the Admiral on the station. Then the property "Cintra" & "Campbell lodge" (a portion of the same grant) of Mr J F Hilly, the architect, & opposite this was "Grantham Ville" built on the remaining four & half acres of John Wyldes Grant. This land, on which the house was erected, became, through the purchase from the Judge, the property of Mr Caleb Wilson, the fatheer of Felix Wilson, a defendant in the  celebrated Newtown Ejectment Suit of "Devine v Wilson"
he Built the first house on the property, which he called "Caleb Castle" & by reason of its turrets, it was also known as the "Pepper Pot", & afterwards as "Grantham Ville"; it subsequently became the property of Mr F Parbury. It then passed into the hands of the Late Mr Henry Dangar, & it is now owned by his son the Hon H.C. Dangar M.L.C, who almost wholly rebuilt it in 1870, and changed the name to "Grantham" 
Immediately Opposite "Grantham Ville" was "Clarens" before mentioned, which was in 1847 purchased by Mr George Richard Griffiths, father of Mr F.C Griffiths who came out to Sydney as the General Manager of the Bank Of Australasia, & after resigning this appointment he conducted a Merchants business in Sydney under the style Of Griffiths, Graham & Co. He sold out when he went to England in 1853. 
Later this property was occupied by Sir James Martin, the Chief Justice, & is now under the name of "Wilga", owned & occupied by Dr Faithful. 

On the West side Of Macleay Street, next to "Grantham" came Dr Douglas's Grant of 8 Acres & 9 Perches on the 19th October 1831. He afterwards sold it 22nd September 1832 to Colonel Shadforth, Who built "Adelaide Cottage" on it. The land extended from Macleay Street down to the waters of Woolloomooloo Bay. The whole property came later into the possession of Mr J.H. Challis (Manager for Messrs Flower, Salting & Co, who gave it with another property as a magnificent Bequest, valued at 250,000 Pounds to the University of Sydney. For some time after his deatth it was occupied by Mr MacDonald, of MacDonald Smith & Co. 

Buildings Mentioned - 

- Adelaide Cottage - Demolished
- Alberto Terrace - Demolished      
- Barham - Demolished 
- Barnclueth aka Kinniel - Demolished
- Bayswater Terrace - Demolished
- Bellevue - Demolished 
- Bomerah
- Brougham Lodge - Demolished
 - Cairo - aka Prestonville - Demolished
- Campbell Lodge - Demolished 
- Chatsworth - Demolished 
- Cheverells - Demolished 
- Cintra - Demolished 
- Clarens - aka "Wilga" Demolished 
- Clifford - Demolished 
- Craigend - Hyndes windmill - Demolished
- Creelwood - Demolished 
- Eaton - Demolished 
- Elizabeth Bay House
- Goderich Lodge - Demolished 
- Grantham - Demolished 
- Greenknowe - Demolished 
- Hillside - Demolished  
- Jenner House
- Kellett House - Demolished 
- Kurragheen - Demolished 
- Lara - Demolished 
- Larbert Lodge - Demolished 
- Maranamah - Demolished 
- Orwell House - Demolished
- Rockwall
- Rosebank - Demolished
- Rose Hall - Demolished
- Roslyn Hall - Demolished 
- Seven Oakes - Demolished
- Springfield - Demolished 
- Tarana - Demolished
- Tarmons - Partly Demolished
- Telford Lodge - Demolished
- Tusculum 
- Waratah - Demolished 

- Wildfell - Demolished

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When you look at the list of names of these Houses & Properties, it really shows just how many things have been demolished in Sydney - Potts Point especially. 

Not much has been saved at all. What a shame... Some of those houses and Properties and Frontages could've been Integrated into the new buildings, but no thought was ever put to that. it was all about just bulldozing them over. 

We can be thankful for the protests and Green Bans in the 1970's when they were going to fully destroy "The Rocks" - "Woolloomooloo" and "Victoria Street". There was even talk of Destroying The Queen Victoria Building to make way for a Carpark for the Sydney Council. 

Elizabeth Bay House Would've Matched Vaucluse House had the grounds and waterfront  had been kept 

There are just so many things that could've been integrated and maintained, it really just shows a lack of vision and greed of the time. Properties like Craigend, Roslyn Hall, Larbert Lodge, Greenknowe, Goderich Lodge, Springfield Lodge, Grantham,, Maranamah, Orwell House shoul'dve kept and maintained. There could've been so many uses for those original 

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POTTS POINT, DARLING

POINT AND NEIGHBOUR-

HOOD, IN THE EARLY

DAYS.

Read by Mr. Arthur

Dowling, before the Australian

Historical Society, on 25TH Sep-

tember, 1906.

POTTS POINT.

In view of the changes, which have taken

place in recent years in the ownership, oc-

cupation, and nomenclature of various pro-

perties adjacent to Sydney & intimately

associated with her earlier days, it may not

be unprofitable to trace the history and

vicissitudes of some of them. There are

no locations which give better scope for

this kind of research than “ Potts Point ”

& “ Darling Point.” They were, in the

earliest days, selected as the natural and

proper sites for the “West End’ of the

Metropolis, & the fact of their being at

the “ East End ” is only a confirmation of

the old idea among Britishers that every-

thing Australian is the converse of what

it ought to be. Both were & are ideal

sites for suburban residences, but the

former has been lately sadly shorn of many

of its attractions, & there is too much

reason to fear that the facilities provided

by those in authority for the convenience

& advance of commerce, will deprive its

residents of the quiet & repose they have

hitherto enjoyed.

Commencing with Darlinghurst (in the

early days called “Henrietta Town,” after

Governor Macquarie’s wife’s first Christian

name), the first house of note in.

the thirties was “ Craigend” fronting

Upper William Street South, now Woll-

cott Street, built by Sir Thomas Mitchell,

the then Surveyor-General. It was after-

wards occupied by Mr. G. J. Rogers, soli-

citor, by Mr. Henry Prince, warehouse-

man, & others. Afterwards it was con-

verted into a hospital, & now it is a

boarding-house, the last use that many

large houses are now generally put to.

The building is a good specimen of the

fine old building of the early days, & it is

now- as strong and substantial as it was

when built. Just behind it was the last of

the old Darlinghurst Windmills, known as

Hynde’s, in addition to which there had

been three, just near the Gaol, two of which

were of wood, erected so as to enable them

to be turned by manual labour to the wind.

The larger mill turned mechanically. Just

to the north of Craigend is “Goderich

Lodge” which was built & lived in by Mr.

T. McQuoid, the then sheriff, in the 1830's & the 1840's, till he died in 1841.

The Bishop of Sydney (Dr. William

Grant Broughton) was at one time a

tenant, also Mr. S. A. Perry, the Deputy-

Surveyor-General, Mr. William Carr, soli-

citor, in 1848, Mr. Charles Scott, iron-

monger, & Mr. Frederick Tooth owned it

in the 1850's. Mr. Tooth sold it to Captain

Charles Smith, of the firm of “ McDonald,

Smith, & Co” & it is now occupied by

his widow. At one time its garden ex-

tended to the junction of Upper William

Street North (now Bayswater Road)

& Upper William Street South,

where the “Waratah Hotel” is

now. Subsequently “Waratah” was

built next to, & on the east side of

“Goderich Lodge” & on part of the pro-

perty, as at present, but with the remainder

of the land still vacant & used as a gar-

den, converging at the junction of the two

streets mentioned above. I remember it in

this state, when in the occupation of Mr.

George King, in 1859. It was at one time

occupied by Mr. Edwin Tooth, & Mrs.

Tooth died there.

Across Upper William Street at its

junction with Darlinghurst Road, formerly

Woolloomooloo Road, was the property of

the Hon. Richard Jones, M.C., known as

“ Merchant Jones” (not the father of

Richard Jones, woolbroker, of the present

day), which extended into & along Dar-

linghurst Road. The property was built

on a portion of land 3 acres 2 roods and

8 perches in extent, formerly granted on

19th October, 1831, to Mr. S. A. Perry.

The land extending between it and up

to Roslyn Hall was afterwards the site

of Alberto Terrace, built & owned by

Mr John Solomon. Next going east was

a grant dated 23rd September, 1839, of 4

acres 2 roods and 24 perches, to Thomas

McQuoid, mentioned before; “Kellett

House” was built on it by Sir Stuart Alex-

ander Donaldson, the first Premier in 1856

under Responsible Government; he lived

there for some years, & it afterwards was

owned by Mr. W. F. Buchanan, who pulled

down the house & built the present ter-

race there, known as “Bayswater Terrace.”

Then came “Sevenoaks” where my parents

lived, & Eaton where Mr. Edward

Knox, & afterwards Captain Martindale,

lived& now owned & occupied by

Mr. Edward Fosbery, the late Inspector-

General of Police. On the opposite side

of Princes Road (off Bayswater Road),

& in front of “Sevenoaks” which

also had a frontage to that road,

were two cottages, one of which,

known as “Lara” was occupied by Mr.

James Norton, solicitor (afterwards the

late Hon. Dr. Norton), before he went to

Double Bay. The house is still there; the

other house was pulled down a few years

ago, & it had been occupied by Lady

Dowling, when she vacated “Brougham

Lodge on the death of Sir James Dowling,

& after her by Mr. (later Sir) Henry

Parkes & Mr. VV. H. Piddington. Then

to the east on Upper William Street North

came two cottages next to “Eaton” with

an old-fashioned wooden pump at the bot-

tom of the private road between them, be-

longing to Mr. T. W. Smart. These houses

are there now. Then the land was vacant

round & along to the gate of “Roslyn

Hall” owned by Mr. Thomas Barker; he

built the house, Mr. Ambrose Hallen being

the architect, living there for a time.

St. Canice R.C. Church stands on the site

of the exit gate of the property.

Just a little below these cottages to the

east was a later built house, owned by the

late Mr. John Williams, the Crown Soli-

citor, now “Kurragheen” next thereto was

“Hillside” now the site of a large building

to be used as dwelling flats, & next

thereto was & still is a small cottage in

which my parents lived before removing

to Sevenoaks. It is hardly visible to the

eye from the South Head Road, being sur-

rounded by advertisement hoardings. Op-

posite was West’s Bush, densely timbered,

where the blacks used to camp. Behind

“Hillside” was a house in which the late

Mr. Justice Hargrave resided. The land

on which it was built was portion of 70

acres granted on 30th May, 1844, to T.

West. Roslyn Street had not been formed,

as at present, but the southern boundary of

the property ran along to the junction of

Macleay Street, with the site of its present

junction with Roslyn Street; close thereto

were two windmills, owned by Mr. T.

Barker, one of which was (if not both) let

to one Gerard. The Roslyn Hall property

fronted Macleay Street, & the second iron

lattice entrance gate at the front entrance

was situate in Darlinghurst Road, nearly

opposite “Springfield” The house was a

large well-built mansion, with a spiral iron

staircase to the upper story; the rooms

were large, with a bath fixed in most of the

bedrooms, level with the floor, so that one

had to step down, not up, to get into it.

“Roslyn Hall” was one of the gayest

houses of the time. The land extended on

the south-east to the site of St. Canice

Church, taking in Roslyn Gardens &

Roslyn Road on the east, & on the north

“Barncleuth” now “Kinneil” & part of

Elizabeth Bay Road.

To the north is “Cheverells” on part of

the Macleay grant, where Captain Deloitte,

Mr. David Jones, of David Jones & Co, &

afterwards.the late Hon. W. R. Campbell

resided; next came a large substantial cot-

tage, or low built house, at the corner of

Macleay Street, also built on portion of the

Macleay grant. I cannot remember who

first occupied it, but at one time Mr.

Arthur Hodgson lived there, Mr. Hugh

Gordon, grazier of “Strathbogie” was the

tenant later, and afterwards it was

tenanted by the Hon. J. B. Watt & the

Hon. S. A. Joseph, & in the early days it

was occupied by Mr. J. H. Challis.

Some years ago this cottage was pur-

chased, considerably added to, & con-

verted into a house by Mr. Sparke, who

named it “Maranamah” & his family

lived there for a time, & now Mr. Hol-

lander is the tenant. “Barncleuth” ad-

joining “Roslyn Hall” was occupied by

Mr. John Brown, senior partner of Brown

& Co. wine & spirit merchants, &

afterwards by Mr. Henry Moore, the agent

for the P&O. Company, when the

steamers of the company only ani\ed once

a month, & fired a gun when of Fort

Denison to announce their arrival. It was

later purchased by Mr. Amos, the contrac-

tor. & added to & modernised, & is

now called “Kinneil” & utilised as a

boarding-house. Following down Mac-

leay Street, next to the house occupied by

Mr. Hodgson, the land was vacant until ar-

riving at “Greenknowe" also on portion

of the Macleay Grant, the residence of Mr.

John Gilchrist, the senior partner of the

well-known firm of Gilchrist. Watt &

Co. which he built in 1846, under the

supervision of Mr. James Hume, a very

good architect & builder of the day. Mr.

Salting, of Messrs. Flower, Salting &

Co. once occupied it, then it was let to

various tenants, & was ultimately pur-

chased by Mr. F. H. Dangar. who still

owns it. Next came two smaller dwellings,

& then “Larbert Lodg,” which was built

& tenanted by Mr. C. D. Riddell, the

then Colonial Treasurer fat a later date the

late Captain Lamb lived there for several

years. At the present time Mr. Norman

Cohen lives there. Next to this property

was a stone rubble wall, the western boun-

dary of the Macleay grant, down to about

the centre of Potts Point, where ‘‘Chats-

worth" was built in later days by the Hon.

C. J. Roberts. This wall was erected by

William Shairp Macleay, a son of Alexan-

der Macleay. He was a recluse & a na-

turalist. He had the credit of having loose

bloodhounds about the property as a safe-

guard against thieves & marauders, but

I think this was only meant for a scare.

He always guarded the beach on Elizabeth

Bay, & would not allow anyone to land

there, or even anchor a boat near thereto.

The Macleay property was 54 acres in ex-

tent, & was granted to Mr. Alexander

Macleay by Governor Darling in 1828, who

in a despatch to the Right Honorable

William Huskisson, dated the 26th of

March, 1828, stated: "The land granted to

Mr. Macleay at Elizabeth Bay, a mile &

a half from Sydney, was for the purpose

of erecting a family house & cultivating

a garden. Mr. Macleay’s knowledge as a

horticulturalist is likely to prove beneficial

to the Colony. He has already spent a

considerable sum on the improvement &

cultivation of his grounds, & in erecting

a stable & offices preparatory to building

a house, which it is his intention shortly to

commence. From the manner in which he

has entered into this undertaking & the

scale on which he has commenced to settle

& stock the land he has received for agri-

cultural purpose (the usual grant of 2500

acres), he will, no doubt, prove an im-

portant acquisition to the Colony in this

respect alone, the capital which he has al-

ready vested in stock & is still continuing

to expend, being considerable.” The grant

took in all Elizabeth Bay & the western

frontage of Rushcutter’s Bay, as far as

the eastern boundary of “Roslyn Hall"

It was approached by the Elizabeth Bay

Road, as at present. The house was the

present “Elizabeth Bay House" another

good specimen of the old family mansion.

The frontage to Macleay Street,

from the corner of Elizabeth Bay Road

to Chatsworth, was later built upon.

The rest of the estate, with the excep-

tion of “Elizabeth Bay House” &

grounds, was later divided into numer-

ous building allotments by Mr. Alex-

ander Macleay’s son, the late Sir George

Macleay, & let on long building leases,

on which the present residence & villas

were erected. The formal grant was dated

19th October, 1831. Elizabeth Point was

so named by Governor Macquarie after his

wife’s second name. The native name was

‘‘Yarrandabby.” That of Macleay Point

was “Terrowan.” A large portion of land

near the extreme Potts Point, 11 acres in ex-

tent, was orginallv granted to Mr. Judge

Advocate John Wylde on the Ist Novem-

ber, 1822 (who was the last Judge Advo-

cate, & for a short time a Judge of the

Supreme Court under the Charter of 1824),

who delayed fulfilling the conditions of the

grant, for Governor Darling in the above

despatch of 26th March, 1828, states: "The

allotment bearing Judge Wylde’s name was

granted to that gentleman by Governor

Macquarie several years since, & still re-

mains unimproved. I propose writing to

inform the Judge that it will be resumed by

the Government unless the conditions of

the grant are speedily fulfilled.’’ How-

ever, he ultimately fulfilled the conditions.

He subsequently conveyed 6/ acres of

it to Mr. J. IT. Potts, who was one of the

early officers of the Bank of New South

Wales, hence the name Potts Point. It

was also called Point Campbell in a survey

by Governor Phillip in 1792. The native

name was “ Carrageen.” The street from

the end of Macleay Street, opposite

“Grantham” is called Wylde Street, evi-

dently after the Judge. On the north side

of this street, built on this land, were the

present “Bellevue” “Clarens” “Creel-

wood” “Clifford” “Tarana” some of

which have been rebuilt or added to &

renamed, including the site of Mr. W. R.

Hall’s modern “Wildfell” & opposite

thereto “Bomerah” belonging to the

McQuade family, a few years ago occu-

pied by the Admiral on the Station. Then

the property “Cintra” & “Campbell

Lodge” (a portion of the same grant), of

Mr. J. F. Hilly, the architect; & opposite

this was “Grantham Ville” built on the re-

maining 4F2 acres of John Wylde’s grant.

This land, on which the house was erected,

became, through purchase from the Judge,

the property of Mr. Caleb Wilson, the

father of Felix Wilson, a defendant

in the celebrated Newtown Ejectment

Suit of “ Devine v. Wilson.” He built the

first house on the property, which he called

“Caleb Castle” & by reason of its tur-

rets it was also known as the “Pepper Pot,”

and afterwards as “Grantham Ville”; it

subsequently became the property of Mr. F.

Parbury. It then passed into the hands of

the late Mr. Henry Dangar, & it now is

owned by his son, the Hon. H. C. Dangar.

M.L.C., who almost wholly rebuilt it in

1870, & changed the name to “Grant-

ham” Immediately opposite “Grantham

Ville” was “Clarens” before mentioned,

which was in 1847 purchased by Mr.

George Richard Griffiths, father of Mr.

F. C. Griffiths, who came out to

Sydney as the general manager of Bank of

Australasia, & after resigning this ap-

pointment he conducted a merchant's busi-

ness in Sydney under the style of Griffiths,

Graham, and Co. & afterwards Griffiths.

Fanning & Co. He sold out when he

went to England in 1853. Later this pro-

perty was occupied by Sir James Martin, the

Chief Justice, & is now under the name

of “Wilga” owned and occupied by Dr.

Faithful. On the west side of Macleay

Street, next to Grantham, came Dr.

Douglas’ grant of 8 acres and 9 perches on

the 19th October, 1831. He afterwards

sold it on 22nd September, 1832, to Colonel

Shadforth, who built Adelaide Cottage

upon it. The land extended from Macleay

Street down to the waters of Woolloo-

tnooloo Bay. The whole property came

later into the possession of Mr. J. H.

Challis (manager for Messrs. Flower, Salt-

ing & Co. & later a partner), who

gave it with other property as a magnificent

bequest, valued at £250,000, to the Univer-

sity of Sydney. For some time before &

after Mr. Challis’ death it was occupied by

Mr. Macdonald, of Macdonald, Smith, &

Co.

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"Tusculum" - 

1 - 3 Manning Street - Potts Point

Tusculum -1860 - 1870

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Tusculum 1886 - 1888

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Tusculum is named after a town in Alban Hills 10km from Rome. 
Tusculum represents the High Point of Regency Architecture
This design is only 1 of 3 houses left designed by John Verge (1782 - 1861)
It was Built 1830 - 1835 for Alexander Brodie Spark (1792 - 1856)
2 Storey Colonial Regency
Cedar interiors imported from Lebanon, marble for flooring and chimney pieces imported from Tusculum in Italy. 

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Plan of The Tusculum Estate in The Situate At Woolloomooloo Bay
Part Of Which To Be Sold By Auction ........
Mr Stubbs - 1842

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Plan Of The Tusculum Estate - 1852

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Tusculum - Part Of The Sparkes Estate - 1871

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Tusculum House & Grounds Estate
Saturday 21st January 1928

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Tusculum was named by its original owner, Alexander Brodie Spark (1792–1856), after a town in the Alban Hills, 10 kilometres south-east of Rome where wealthy Romans built luxurious villas – that of Cicero being especially famous. The name of Spark's other property, "Tempe House" also has classical origins.^[1]

The building of the house signified Spark's rise to good fortune during the 1820s. He arrived in Sydney as a free settler in 1823. His success in shipping and commerce meant that he was quickly accepted as an influential member of colonial society. Spark had received a literary education, which may account for the naming of his villa. His 1828 grant of over 9 acres was one of the few original grants made to a private citizen. John Verge's plan for Tusculum was approved by Governor Darling in 1830. Spark probably built it as an investment property, as he only lived there for a brief period. The villa was under construction from 1831-5.^[2][1]

His failure to occupy it symbolised Spark's financial decline, the collapse of the Bank of Australia and the depression of the 1840s. Spark sent a plan of his proposed house to the Colonial Secretary on 1 June 1830, explaining that the plan had been prepared for some time, but that he had wanted to make it more "ornamental". This is 10 months prior to the first reference to Spark's house in John Verge's ledger. It is possible that Spark may have had the earlier plan prepared independently, and engaged Verge to assist in making it "more ornamental". John Verge's ledger records details of the commission from "Plans" in 1831 to "Details for Pilasters front door of" shortly before completion in 1836.^[1]

Bishop William Broughton as a tenant

Alterations were made in 1836 to suit its first tenant, Bishop William Broughton. The Broughtons made Tusculum a centre of hospitality and, after Government House, it was the most important domestic building in the colony.^[2] The Broughton papers contain several references to the unfinished state of the house when he moved in during 1836, and the alterations and improvements he undertook 'to bring the premises into a state of decency.'^[1]

In Broughton's early years at Tusculum a garden was established – there are references to a kitchen garden, rose trees from England etc. In 1839 he had shelves put up for his library so that his books could be "released from captivity, and placed in security from damp and dust".^[1]

An interesting letter from Emily Crawley (née Broughton) to Phoebe Boydell, dated 22 September 1850, describes the accommodation arrangements at Tusculum for the Conference of Australasian Bishops held in October that year. Bishop Broughton lived at Tusculum from 1836 to 1851 – for almost the full length of his episcopacy. He appears to have been occasionally unsettled by his accommodation, with numerous references in his letters to his desire to relocate. Broughton had difficulty in obtaining suitable alternative accommodation, and became resigned to the circumstances of Tusculum.^[1]

Broughton took out another lease on the property for seven years in 1848 at £300 p.a. (letter to Coleridge, 16 February 1848) – 'lt is a sad, imperfect place and anything but episcopal in pretensions: but it is in a cheerful situation and good air, and answers my purposes tolerably well.'^[1]

By 1843 there was a serious financial crisis in the colony, and the Darlinghurst grantees suffered. They pressed for the freedom to subdivide their land, and Sydney's first exclusive suburb opened up to investors. From the early 1850s, the Gold Rush boosted the economy, and interest in the land available at Darlinghurst grew. The first subdivisions occurred around the edges of the original grants, with blocks of a size that allowed other grand houses to be built and new streets formed. In the 1870s, heavy land taxes imposed by the administration of the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes, led to another wave of subdivisions of the original grants. The late 19th century saw the final demise of the grounds surrounding the original villas, and in some cases, the villas themselves.^[2][1]

Broughton was no longer living at Tusculum in 1851, the year prior to his departure. Tusculum was then purchased by William Long.^[3][1]

Ownership by William Long

The authorship of the substantial alterations undertaken at Tusculum for William Long is not certain. It is likely that John Frederick Hilly may have been the architect. Hilly did a lot of work in the Potts Point, Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo areas and owned a local quarry. The cast iron balustrade design on the verandahs at Tusculum is very similar to those at Fiona, Edgecliff (1864), Guntawang (1869–70) and the Prince of Wales Theatre (1863) all works of Hilly.^[1]

Ownership, 1904 to 1983

Tusculum was auctioned on 21 October 1904. Lewis Edward Isaacs bid £3,750 for Lot 1 which included the house. Isaacs engaged the architect, John Burcham Clamp to undertake extensive alterations to the staircase and stair hall and a tender was let to Mr. John White. Tusculum was purchased by Orwell and Alfred Phillips in 1906. Orwell later purchased his brother's share in the property. It is likely that Burcham Clamp was also responsible for the Billiard Room addition. He did other work for the Phillips family (such as a house at Moss Vale, c. 1915).^[1]

In the 1920s and 1930s, the original villas and the later grand 19th century residences were demolished to make way for blocks of flats, hotels and later, soaring towers of units. Today only 5 of the original 17 villas still stand, with the lost villas and other grand houses commemorated in the names of the streets of Potts Point, Darlinghurst and Kings Cross.^[2][1]

Following its use as a serviceman's club during World War II and a private nursing home, the building fell into disrepair and was the subject of a compulsory resumption in 1983, being the first under the provisions of the (then) recently gazetted NSW Heritage Act 1977.^[1]

Lease by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects

Subsequently, the NSW Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) leased Tusculum for 99 years, on the condition that it will be responsible as custodian for the restoration and maintenance of the building and for making it available for public enjoyment. In addition, the NSW Government sold the freehold of the back section of the Tusculum site to the RAIA and the Heritage Council gave permission for a new building to be constructed adjoining the villa. The new building, which was the subject of a national competition, won by the architectural firm Levine & Durbach, houses the RAIA and subsidiary organisations, a 143-seat auditorium, and offices.^[1]

The restored villa is used for meeting rooms, a gallery and for receptions.^[1]

The two buildings operate as one complex, a combination of restored nineteenth century heritage and quality 1980s architecture. Clive Lucas, OBE, FRAIA, a prominent conservation architect and the leading authority on John Verge was commissioned by the RAIA to undertake the conservation work. The restoration is intended to evoke the early to mid Victorian period and was completed in 1987 in accordance with the "Draft Conservation Policy" in Reference 1. Both buildings were officially opened by the Premier of NSW on 11 March 1988.^[4][1]

Former prime minister Paul Keating assisted the RAIA in lobbying the City of Sydney for a lease over Tusculum and subsequently leased an office suite in the building.^[5][6]

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SYDNEY PROPERTY SALE. Tusculum House & grounds, at Potts Point (Sydney) were submitted to auction, on Saturday afternoon. This fine old historic residence, built of stone, with cedar fittings throughout, stands in spacious grounds, with frontage to Manning, Hughes, & Tusculum St's. The house was built by Mr. W. Long in 1835, & is in a wonderful state of preservation. There was a good deal of competition, but in no case was the reserve reached. The house, however, was sold with the land upon which it stands, for £10,000, subject to approval. The grounds were subdivided into five building blocks, & these were, after spirited competition, passed in for private treaty, the best offers being from £77/10/ to £157 a foot, according to the position of the Lots

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Property Market - SMH - Sat 4 Feb 1905 - Page 13

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Wednesday 19th December 1906

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General Monash Honoured - 

Sydney Mail - Wed 14 Nov 1923 - Pg 34

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Tusculum Sold For 28000 - 

The Sun - Wed 30 Nov 1927 Pg 15

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Indoor Auctions This Week - 

Daily Telegraph - Wed - 30 Nov 1927 - Pg 26

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Historic Home Sold 

SMH - Thurs 1 December 1927 - Pg 14

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28000 Paid For Potts Pt Home - 

Daily Telegraph - Thurs 1 Dec 1927 Pg 13

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Tusculum Buildig Opposite - 

Daily Telegraph - Wednesday 18 January 1928 - Pg 29

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Next Saturdays Subdivisions - 

Daily Telegraph - Wed 18 Jan 1928 - Pg 28

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Tusculum Subdivision - 

The Sun - Sunday 22 Jan 1928 - Page 5

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Tusculum House & Grounds - 

SMH - Mon 23 Jan 1928 Pg 10

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Sydney Property Sale - 

Queensland Times - Wed 25th Jan 1928 - Page 6

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The Old Order Passes - 

Sydney Mail - Wed 10 Nov 1937 - Page 2 - Part 1

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Death - Orwell Cheeke - 

Daily Telegraph - Wed 12 March 1941 - Pg 12

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Jewellery Saved In Blaze - 

Daily Mirror - Sat 6 March 1943 - Page 6

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Taken Over By USA Army - 

Daily Mirror - Mon 24 April 1944 - Page 3

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Granduer Of Tusculum - 

Education Magazine - Oct 27 1971

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Architects Want sTusculum - 

The Bulletin - 5th june 1984

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Tusculum - Wikipedia Page 

Tusculum - Museums Of NSW

Tusculum Heritage Information