Manar apartments, 40-40A Macleay Street Potts Point, is exclusive. It maintains its period charm and vistas in its prime contemporary setting.

Apartment 1 is for sale through Jason Boon, Geoff Cox and Joss Reid.  https://www.rwebay.com.au/6682907/

The principal and most noticeable frontage of the suite of three buildings on the site is building one facing  Macleay Street, the area’s main thoroughfare.

Apartment one is in building one with its arched windows. It is not generally known the whole site actually consists of three apartment buildings. Building one sits nobly behind the gilded front fence on the top floor. It is a former Victorian villa built circa 1880s and was adapted for apartments in 1920.

Building two is to its left and was also built circa 1920. Building three at the rear was built circa 1927 and is unseen from Macleay Street. It is also majestic with its mosaic tiled entrance.

The exteriors of all buildings are fine examples of the Inter-war (1916-1938) Free Classical style, designed by prominent architects, Ernest A Scott and Green. Interiors of all buildings contain fine intact finishes and detailing, evidence of conservative middle class taste during the early inter-war period.

The site’s setting, which includes gardens, landscaped open space and Sydney Harbour views are an important part of the character of the group.

Interestingly, the site’s rear boundary incorporates a cliff face, part of an escarpment that was formed by blasting the Darlinghurst Ridge by convict labour in the 1830s to provide a level site for the construction of Elizabeth Bay House.

All three Manar buildings are set in carefully coiffured landscaped surrounds, still with a number of mature trees, unusual for inter-war apartment sites in the area. At the rear towards the Onslow Place boundary is a single storey brick garage, now a rarity in the area.

Apartment one contains original ceiling mouldings, an ornate fireplace, high ceilings, wooden floors and comes with plans for reconfiguration and modernisation (S.T.C.A.).

It’s previous occupants are a pedigree of prestige and include former Sydney Council Lord Mayor, Jack Armstrong (1908-1977), and General Douglas McArthur and his girlfriend.

McArthur was the Supreme Commander of the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II.

Jack Armstrong (Labor Party) was from an Irish immigrant family who lived and worked in the

local Dunkirk hotel. He was Lord Mayor from 1965-1967 but was replaced because of cost blowouts over the new Domain Baths. He was later appointed High Commissioner to London by Gough Whitlam in 1972 but not before publicly calling for Australia to become a republic!

The building’s streetscape presence  and regal setback give it pride of place in Macleay Street making it a prized possession.

By

Andrew Woodhouse 

Heritage Solutions