Edgewater apartments, 6 Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, are named after their location; on the edge of the sapphire blue waters of Sydney Harbour.

The water licks the sandstone steps leading to its shared harbour marina and common swimming pool.

Apartment 11 is for sale through Greg McKinley and Andrew Hoggett

https://www.rwebay.com.au/7698390/

This nine-storey Art Deco block of 27 apartments was built in 1937. On 14th April 1937 the Sydney Morning Herald carried an advertisement announcing that the apartment building Edgewater in Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, was nearing completion and that a “beautiful brochure” could be forwarded on request.

The Caroline Simpson heritage collection archives held by the NSW Historic Houses Trust includes the 15-page brochure and a map showing the nearest trolley bus route (Macleay Street), and its private in-harbour pool.

The brochure states Edgewater’s “harbour front suites”  are “possibly the most luxurious flats obtainable in Sydney” with “unrivalled panoramic and close-up views of the Harbour … [the] kitchen is scientifically planned and contains the latest gas stove with Automatic Heat Control, refrigerator for ice-making and Cold Storage … an English Earthenware sink and … chromium plated … taps” .

Some apartments were sold furnished with an interior rendering in the booklet showing wooden floor boards, green carpets and an L-shaped lounge with wooden backed shelving.

The architect was Frank Moloney with consultant architects Morrow and Gordon.

A 1937 photo by famous social photographer Sam Hood (1872-1953) shows the red brick building almost finished with its curved balconies and dramatic foot bridge leading to the front door and Neo-Tudor arch with chromed entrance door handles. An entrance light is yet to be installed. Chrome was an expensive novelty at the time having only previously been used in the aviation industry. The exterior is unchanged apart from one balcony. The original wooden letter boxes also remain.

The apartment block incorporates harbour views with some apartments still retaining original elements such as green bathroom tiles and brass kitchen cupboard handles.

Apartment 11 retains its period skirting boards and wooden floor boards which, at first glance, seem to imitate the decking of a sale boat, thus continuing the maritime theme.

It’s an intriguing and chic piece of our past still relevant to our present harbour-side living conditions.

by Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions