Seven-storey Darnley Hall, 12 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, was built in the 1930s by architects, Rosenthal and Day. Its name derives from a fifteenth century Scottish title, the Earl of Darnley. The title still continues today in the UK. It was not uncommon for local, large prestigious apartment blocks and houses of the 1930s to add some grandeur by adopting ancient names: heritage gives caché.

Apartment 12 is currently for sale through Jason Boon and Geoff Cox. https://www.rwebay.com.au/4744741/

Constructed in the popular neo-Georgian style this five-bedroom penthouse was one of several popular styles including Art Déco and Mediterranean Style, previously known as Spanish Mission Style.

Roman arches, a marble tiled entrance foyer, lion head spouts and classically proportioned windows are all tell-tale signs of Darnley Hall’s neo-Georgian origins. Ionic columns, from the ancient Greek island of Iona with their literary scroll-shaped capitals, support the two entrance porches. The building faces both east and west to capture cross breezes and vistas of Sydney’s sapphire-coloured harbour across Elizabeth Bay.

Rosenthal and Day also built nearby Clanricarde in Billyard Avenue and were responsible for many war memorials in the blue mountains, churches and public buildings. Major-General Sir Charles Rosenthal, KCB, CMG,DSO,VD (1875-1954) was a World War I war veteran also known with affection as “Rosie” by his men because of his kindness to them at the battlefront. He led many careers simultaneously. He was an organist and choirmaster and opera singer, but above all, a military man. He fought at Gallipoli and was highly decorated. He was described as “tremendously massive and powerful … there was nobody who could hold him in a single-man ‘tug-o’-war’.”

His actions on 25^th April 1915 established his reputation. He was twice wounded at Gallipoli. Yet, lying amid a crowd of suffering men on a hospital ship, he sang them Handel’s battle-cry Aria, “Arm, Arm Ye Brave”!

He initially became a draughtsman in the architectural division of the Department of Railways and Public Works in Perth and was involved in plans for the Perth law courts, the Public Library and Royal Mint, revealing his energy and wide interests. As organist and choirmaster of Coolgardie Wesley Church he won the esteem of the congregation: his fine bass voice made him a popular concert artist. The church’s organ still exists in the local museum.

He decided to return to Melbourne after his health was threatened by typhoid – he was also bankrupt – Rosenthal sent his wife by ship and he set off on his bicycle in November 1898 to cross the Nullabor Plain! He rejoined her in January 1899. He then joined G. C. Inskip and W. R. Butler, architects and surveyors, who sent him to manage their Sydney office in 1900. Here Rosenthal blossomed, becoming involved in the affairs of his profession, both the musical life of Sydney and in the army.

He was a Sydney Councillor and state parliamentarian He led many ANZAC parades and was made Administrator of Norfolk Island during World War II.

By Andrew Woodhouse, Heritage Solutions