The Levens, 29-33 Ithaca Road, Elizabeth Bay, is a modest, unassuming block of five apartments. It was built in 1927 and may well have been given its name by its original owner in honour of himself,  Mr Leventhal. It was built in the popular neo-classical style of the period and retains its Tuscan columns, black and white entrance tiles, Palladian-proportioned windows, handsome stained glass, wooden staircase and filigree ceilings and cornices.

Its gold leaf name appears above the entrance door.

The spread of flats generally, as they were then called, in the 1920s and 30s was one of the most marked developments in Sydney housing. It was accompanied by large population increases in the municipalities it affected. Flats were the antithesis of suburbia and represented a new way of living. Some said they were “decadent”.

Sands” Suburban Directory indicates 1927 as the first year the name “The Levens” appears. This correlates to a building application lodged in September 1925 for the construction of “Flats and garages” on Ithaca Road by Mr M. Leventhal. All early structures which may have been located on the site were demolished with the site excavated for construction. The general configuration of the building has not changed over time. 1943 aerial photos show that the footprint of the building being the same as today. The building had no balconies or verandahs but had Sydney Harbour views . At the time it was occupied by 21 people over the three floors.

An advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald of Saturday 22nd March 1930 notes: “Elizabeth Bay The Levens Ithaca Road – Unfurnished  Flats, harbour views, 4 extra-large rooms ,kitchen, Kelvinator, hot water service, very low rentals. For Inspection apply Caretaker Raymond flats at rear. FL2073”. The ad appeared during the Great Depression (1929-1933).

A Sydney Council City Architect and Building Surveyor’s Department survey card dated June 1945, states that the property comprised a three-level flat building of brick, wood floors and flat Ruberoid roof. Ruberoid was a new roofing material composed of felt impregnated with bitumen, used for various building and construction projects, typically for its insulating and waterproofing properties.  In this case it may not have been as successful and as long-lasting as hoped. In June of 1957, plans to re-build the roof were approved. The new hipped roof of tiles was completed in August 1957.

The building is almost unchanged since 1927 and makes an important contribution to the area being close to Sydney Harbour and Beare Park at the end of the street.

Andrew Woodhouse 

Heritage Solutions