The grand terrace house at 27 Roslyn Street, Potts Point, is for sale though Jason Boon and Geoff Cox https://www.rwebay.com.au/5011308/

It retains authentic features including its façade, a concave corrugate iron balcony roof and filigree wrought iron railings, internal skirting boards, floor boards, staircase and balustrade, and archway and ceiling mouldings. The front fence is in a cast iron palisade style with fleur-de-lys spear pickets and a single pedestrian gate typical of late nineteenth century architecture.

Its magnificent landmark 21 metre front garden pine tree, is probably about 35 years old.

This area was subject to major subdivisions of Alexander Macleay’s (1767-1848) original 1826 estate including the Elizabeth Bay Estate in 1865, creating allotments on Macleay Street, Elizabeth Bay Road and Roslyn Gardens. It was further subdivided in 1882 creating Billyard Avenue, Onslow Avenue and then re-subdivided around Elizabeth Bay House in 1927 and 1934 to create Onslow Place etc.

Number 27 Roslyn Street and this terrace at number 27 were part of a group of three constructed within a few years of each other as part of these subdivisions. Number 33 Roslyn Street is shown on a NSW Department of Lands Metropolitan Detail Survey Sheet dated 1890 but was not shown on the previous 1885 plan, creating an impression it was built between 1885 and 1890.

And the whole terrace group is first listed as a group in the 1888 Sands’ Directory although originally numbered numbered 19-27 Roslyn Street. This would give the approximate construction date of today’s number 27 as circa 1887.

The end terrace in the street, now renumbered number 23, at the corner of Roslyn Street and Ward Avenue, was demolished by Sydney City Council in the 1970s to create a convenient pocket park.

The site and its context remain a heritage enclave making a special contribution to the area.

By Andrew Woodhouse, Heritage Solutions