29 Challis Avenue Potts Point is a grand Victorian terrace house for sale through Jason Boon and Geoff Cox

Real Estate For Sale – 29 Challis Avenue – Potts Point , NSW (rwebay.com.au)

It is both elegant and opulent and reflects this area’s status in 1890 in Sydney at the height of the building boom.

The site at 29 Challis Avenue was part of vacant land owned by John Henry Challis. When he died in 1880 he left a large plot of land to the University of Sydney including today’s McDonald Street nearby.

An 1889 real estate poster shows the subdivision into 45 sites by Richardson and Wrench in conjunction with Hardie and Gorman.

Challis was the son of a sergeant, immigrated to Australia in 1829 and became a highly successful business man. His other interest was the advancement of education in the colony in general.

Challis made generous donations to the University of Sydney during his life, including the financing of the extravagant ‘Royal Window’ in the Great Hall.

A full size marble statue of him stands in the Great Hall. Many university Chairs and Professorships are named after him.

Challis Avenue Potts Point is also named after him as is Challis House, Martin Place.

Number 29 stands as a stately heritage home in the most magnificent style.

by Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions