Hidden behind a security fence is another hidden security gate which hides a magnificent sandstone 19th century villa.
It is setback from Elizabeth Bay Road and is nestled in the Elizabeth Bay loop within private gardens

It was built by the Hughes family in about 1880. They created a dynasty of legal/political leaders. They also funded St Canice’s church nearby. Their villa became a Catholic school in 1909 called Kincoppal which later moved to Rose Bay.
The name ‘Kincoppal’ literally means ‘Horse’s Head’ in Gaelic (Irish), the anglicisation of ‘ceann’ (head) and ‘capall’ (horse) and is named after a rock, now removed, on the shores of Sydney Harbour nearby which resembled a horse’s head.

Today, the original site contains a large block of apartments as well as their two-storey sandstone villa. The villa is internally divided and shares its floor plan with offices.
The villa is also part of a larger strata scheme which includes the apartments adjacent and its swimming pool. One of the most famous occupants of the apartment block was British rock star, David Bowie, who owned apartment 39 for about ten years until 1992. He described Elizabeth Bay the area as “absolutely fabulous”.

The heritage-listed villa retains many internal original features including high ceilings, folding cedar doors, a large loungeroom, a magnificent staircase and spacious entrance hall. Upper rooms provide fleeting glimpses of Sydney Harbour.

Part of its original verandah were enclosed and has been a delightful conservatory overlooking the private garden.
Today it adds to the landscape of the area, a reminder to the passer-by of the area’s 19th century grandeur.

By Andrew Woodhouse
Heritage Solutions