THE MANY LIVES OF 23 HUGHES STREET 

23 Hughes Street, Potts Point, is almost hidden from history. It sits behind foliage with a prominent street setback typical of buildings of its period.

It is currently for sale through Jason Boon, Geoff Cox and Joss Reid https://www.rwebay.com.au/6459318/

The site was originally part of the Orwell House Estate. Orwell House was one of the early, grand homes in the area located at the corner of Orwell Lane and Orwell Street, west of Macleay Street. The corner lot is now occupied by the Minerva Theatre, formerly known as The Metro. A media article dated 30th December 1939 recalls several famous homes of the Potts Point area such as Orwell House, stating: “Orwell House was a house of many associations. It was a grant to the father of Sir Alfred Stephen, the third Chief Justice, and was successively occupied by Mrs Grose, Jas. Raymond, Post-master General, Colonel N. C Wilson, Mr Justice Milford, G.R Griffiths, and F. Parbury who lived there in 1847. It then became owned by Sir William Manning and was subdivided.”

In 1921, the land surrounding Orwell House was subdivided into eight lots fronting Hughes Street and three fronting Orwell Street. Today’s 23 Hughes Street was included in the lots along Hughes Street between Orwell Lane and Hughes Lane and Hughes Place. It was vacant apart from a brick garage in the north-western corner.

Orwell House was demolished in 1937 prior to the construction of the Minerva Theatre.

The subdivision pattern has remained unchanged since 1921. A portion of the original estate was acquired by grazier Phillip Henry Morton and then purchased by Daniel Sheehy, a contractor. Sheehy sold lot 8 (23 Hughes Street) to Lillian May Roth in April 1922. The property was transferred to James Michael Davis in May 1922.

“Engleburn Flats” was the first building listed at the address of 23 Hughes Street, Potts Point, in the 1925 Sands’ Suburban Directory.

It was probably constructed between 1922 and 1925 under the ownership of James Michael Davis, with the earlier brick garage demolished. The design incorporates wooden shingles and other period features.

During the 1930s and 40s the building was used as shared accommodation in the form of small flats and later as rooms for short-term letting. An advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald dated Thursday 4th February 1932 describes the type of accommodation for let at number 23: “Potts Point – Modern Flat. 4 large rooms, 2 sunny balconies, all floors covered. Hot water service. Tiled bathroom, Roman bath.” A Roman bath was a coveted feature which was a larger, more luxurious soaking bath tub for those who wished to lie back, relax and lounge around in a suds-filled tub.

The flats were home to a variety of tenants, including those newly arrived in Australia. German and Polish nationals are listed as living at Engleburn flats, amongst others.

During the 1960s the building operated as a ‘private hotel’ referred to as “The Gala Hotel” in the Dutch Australian Weekly, again proving popular amongst European immigrants.

In May 1969 the property was sold to Ian Gurowski and Maria Gurowski as joint tenants. In January 1973 the property was purchased by the Australian Merchant Finance Corporation and in September of the same year was sold to K.F Investments Pty Ltd. In 1975 the registered proprietor was Robert B. White. In 1976 the property was purchased by hotel proprietors, Andrew Lee of Loftus and his wife Prue Edith Lee as joint tenants. The property was sold twice in 1980, in August and November and was sold again in 1982 to Nicholas Kevin Meagher and Deborah Mary Meagher as joint tenants. It finally became a backpackers’ hostel, one of many in the area.

The use of properties in the area for backpackers’ hostels has declined in recent times due to diminished activity from pubs and clubs affected by state government lockouts, a common form of entertainment for backpackers, and more recently due to COVID-19 lockdown and restricted travel opportunities for international travellers.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions