Selsdon, 16 Macleay Street, Potts Point, is an apartment block with a scandalous European royalty heritage.

When His Highness Prince Alphonso del Drago (1882-1968) arrived in Sydney in 1924 he was described him as “unmarried and the most immaculately dressed person who has landed in Sydney for many years.”

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The prince’s mother was the sister of Queen Charlotte of Spain, who was a friend of Italian Prime Minister, Mussolini. And in June 1928 his brother and friend also arrived in Sydney on a hunting trip. Local media noted: “Princes Rudolfo del Drago and Jerome Rospligiosi, members of two of the oldest Roman families, were passengers on the SS Houtman … a Pope was a member of the family. He is an enthusiastic big game hunter and spends the season each year in Africa. Accompanied by Prince Rospigliosi, he spent the last five months In Sumatra and Borneo.

He said … tigers were very scarce, only two small specimens being secured. The prince will only remain in Sydney a week, and then proceed to South Africa. His elder brother, Prince Alfonso del Drago, has been residing in Sydney … the brothers were delighted to meet each other after some years.”

Apparently, Alphonso had an affair in Sydney and, after World War II broke out, all Italians were declared enemies. The prince was arrested and taken to an internment camp where he was camp leader. Nobody knew his real story, but rumour circulated he had fled Italy to Australia because of outstanding gambling debts, a scandal with a Baroness and a duel.

The prince was the most distinguished Italian internee in Australia and the only person the Italian Government attempted to exchange for Australian prisoners in its custody. But since Italy did not hold Australians of equal importance, no exchange occurred. He later died in Sydney in November 1968 after living in Selsdon for some time in apartment 22.

Selsdon is an ancient name meaning “on the hill”. The building was completed in 1934 to the design of architects Prevost and Ruwald, better known for their numerous pubs in the 1920s and 1930s. It was built by Reginald Walker, Bank of NSW Director, whose second wife, Jean lived in the penthouse.

Selsdon, whose original drawings are in the Powerhouse Museum, is mock-Elizabethan in character recalling an Old English style with some Art Deco influences, with tracery, gargoyles and heraldic shields. It was very much associated with Sydney’s domestic architecture during the 1930s, whilst the two pavilions on the roof are Romanesque in inspiration. It is almost identical to Selsdon Park, London where Mrs Walker had some connection.

It originally contained 52 flats and two roof cottages. Many of its tenants’ attendances at the Grand Opera were regularly mentioned in Sydney’s social pages.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions