ADEREHAM HALL – “SUNSHINE IN EVERY ROOM”
Adereham Hall, 71 Elizabeth Bay Road, is a nine-storey, 35 metre high apartment block completed in 1934 by Davie and Greenwood, builders, and designed by architects, Gordon McKinnon and Sons.
It replaced a grand 19th century mansion, Rockley, a verandahed stone house with its luxurious gardens and vistas.
A magnificent 18 metre high Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macophylla), possibly part of Alexander Macleay’s original gardens connected with his Elizabeth Bay House still stands silently in the front garden. It was planted circa 1890 and is now about 120 years old.
At the time of construction Aldereham Hall, with its original 25, now 33, apartments and 16 car parks, ushered in a new wave of living. Its design was luxurious, even extravagant. A brass front door bell and brass plaque together with “Adereham Hall” set into a granite plinth, terrazzo entrance, coffered modern Art Deco foyer ceiling, a fireplace and hexagonal arches all heralded its modern Parisian chic. These elements still remain.
It has been nick-named “Gotham City’’, a reference to its neo-Gothic Manhattan 1920 and 30s style and period and “Withering Heights” apparently” after the number of gay lads that occupied it” according to John Stapleton’s book, “Terror in Australia: Workers’ Paradise Lost”. The famous Australian actor, Geoffrey Rush, was a previous penthouse resident.
Mainstream media reported on its inhabitants in the 1930s and 40s in social pages and their glittering parties hosted by its wealthy residents.
An advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald of 11th August 1934 noted ““ADEREHAM HALL NOW NEARING COMPLETION … spacious home apartments … on the foreshores of exclusive Elizabeth Bay. Each flat comprises entrance hall [and includes] unusual features, beautiful swimming baths, boating facilities, … maid service provided … well laid-out lawns, … beautiful views with sunshine in every room.”
And on Saturday 13th March 1937: “Adereham Hall Becoming available in this exclusive building. Perfect sunlight. Harbour views, swimming pool. Unfurnished 5-room or 3-room flat, sun lounges, 2 bathrooms, polished floors. Elevator service. Free refrigerator, hot water and central heating. Apply caretaker 71 Elizabeth Bay-road [phone] FL 4549.”
The official journal of the glass industry, “Glass”, September 1934, was exuberant:
“…the nine storeys consist of 25 large flats in all, constructed on the reinforced concrete and beam system, with reinforced concrete floors throughout,
is therefore fire proof. This construction gives the maximum floor space possible to each floor, as the external walls throughout the whole nine floors are only eleven-inch cavity … Designed in art moderne style, with special glass lighting appointments, it immediately creates an impression of lavish luxury … sensational … the ground floor comprises two flats, one being for the use of the caretaker, who is, thereby, easily accessible to the tenants when required, and the other at the rear of the building includes bedrooms and bathrooms for servants quarters.This arrangement allows of domestic service by tenants of the various flats as required without the necessity of providing maid’s quarters.
Entering the reception porch of oneapartment, one is immediately attracted by figured rolled glass paneled double doors, opening into the expansive living room; polished walnut doors to the kitchen … with blue and white tiled walls … which permit the entry of plenty of sunlight and fresh air …
Quality and modernity are the keynotes of the building …”.
Steel window frames, brazed copper piping with about 500 electric lights and power points were installed throughout Central heating came from a boiler in the basement.
“Siderosthen”’ anti-corrosive paint and “Trinidad” asphalt roof weather proofing and “Sanador” felt sound proofing added to residents’ livability.
It was a modern “skyscraper” of its time and remains an attractive and stylish apartment block with many original features.
By Andrew Woodhouse, Heritage Solutions
