Roslyn Gardens is part of a series of major subdivisions of Alexander Macleay’s (1767-1848) original 1826 estate. Alexander Macleay built Elizabeth Bay House. These sub-divisions included his Elizabeth Bay Estate subdivision in 1865 which created allotments on Macleay Street, Elizabeth Bay Road and Roslyn Gardens.

44 Roslyn Gardens is currently for sale though Jason Boon and Geoff Cox.

https://www.rwebay.com.au/5261774/

Number 44, originally named “Arlie”, is a large four-storey home built as part of a group of three by Lawrence Hargrave in the 1890s. He lived in number 40 with his family from 1885 to 1893 before he left temporarily for England. Number 40 is slightly larger than the other two at 42 and 44.

Hargrave was a famous Australian aviation pioneer. Some of his most important work was carried out in the workshop on the ground floor at the rear of number 40. This included the invention of his famous box kite which was tested behind his home. In 1894 he moved to Stanwell Park where he made his historic flight five metres above the beach

He lived in number 44, now for sale, from 1899 to 1902. He later moved to Woollahra Point, now Point Piper, in 1902.

His image, long with sketches of his inventions, was featured on the reverse of our twenty dollar note from 1966 to 1994.

An early photo of number 44, undated, shows an elderly woman on its first-floor verandah which is thought to be Mrs Charlotte Ogilvy Johnston, Hargrave’s mother-in-law.

A council plaque set into the garden bed outside these three homes notes Hargrave’s occupation.

In 1991 nearby Lawrence Hargrave Reserve was formally named by the City of Sydney Council.

Period remnant features of number 44 include cast iron lace balconies with Corinthian columns, ornamental 19^th century fireplace surrounds and hearths, wooden floorboards, terra cotta chimney pots, fleurs-de-lis front fence railings, sash windows and high ceilings.

By Andrew woodhouse, Heritage Solutions