Clanricarde, 15 Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, is an imposing 1920s apartment block. It may take its name from Clanricarde, an ancient 14^th century Irish word referring to an extensive territory that was once in County Galway, Ireland. However, it is not known for certain why 15 Billyard Avenue is so named.

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A house first occupied the site in 1891 and was later modified for apartments. The site was once part of the Macleay Estate, granted to Alexander Macleay in 1826, who built Elizabeth Bay House with extravagant, botanical gardens.

Subdivisions of the Macleay Estate occurred in 1865, 1924 and 1934 and saw the area bisected and then dissected. After 1901 the site was sold to James Onslow, after whom nearby Onslow Avenue is named.

In 1924 Richardson and Wrench, established since 1860 and today the oldest continuing real estate agency in NSW, sold the last remaining allotments, including the Clanricarde block. The Sydney Morning Herald noted in 1921 that the Clanricarde flats, as they were then known, were available with “all conveniences and fine views.” The building then comprised three storeys and 17 rooms. By 1925 it was five storeys and by 1948 had 51 rooms.

The rise of the generic flat building, both physically and socially, was a phenomenon of the 1920s and 30s.

The architects of 15 Billyard Avenue were Rosenthal and Day, who also built nearby Darnley Hall at 12 Onslow Avenue. Both utilised classical revival motifs.

Sir Charles Rosenthal (1875-1954), KCB, CMG, DSO, VD (1875-1954), architect, was a larger-than-life, eccentric character who ran three careers simultaneously as an opera singer, architect and as a military man.

After working in Perth he returned, cycling his bike across the Nullarbor Plain! His dare-devil antics stayed with him all his life. He built war memorial arches in the Blue Mountains at Lawson and Blackheath and in 1906 was architect for the Anglican Diocese of Grafton and Armidale. He designed St Andrew’s, Lismore and St Laurence’s, Barraba.

He was a Sydney Council Alderman, as they were then known, from 1921-24, President of the NSW Institute of Architects, 1926-30, and made a Life Fellow. He gave speeches to local schools, opened art centres, was a state parliamentarian 1922-25 and 1936-7, as well being a leading military figure during WWI. He rose to the rank of Brigadier-General and was twice wounded at Gallipoli.

He was awarded the CB, CMG, KCB, and DSO as well as both the Belgian and French Croix de Guerres and France’s highest honour, an Officer of the Légion d’Honeur.

It was said that no-one could beat him in a tug-of-war match such was his imposing physique and strength.

Lying amid a crowd of suffering men on a hospital ship at Gallipoli, he entertained them by singing Handel’s bass aria, “Arm, Arm Ye Brave” to rouse their spirits.

The medicinal effects are unknown but they nick-named him “Rosie”, a shortened form of Rosenthal, as a term of endearment.

He was appointed Administrator of Norfolk Island 1939-1945 and lead many Anzac Day marches at the specific request of his men.

He was described as being “energy personified; he had the physique of a gladiator and the heart of a lion”.

Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions