St James House, 12 Springfield Mall, Potts Point, built in1936 is one of the smallest boutique apartment blocks in the area.

With only 13 apartments, four storeys high and about eight metres wide it occupies a petite footprint.

Its Art Deco style immediately signals its period. After all, as one style icon has said, “It’s more important to have style rather than be in style.”

Its Art Deco elements include a green terrazzo entrance plinth, variegated earthen brickwork with intermediate liver-coloured bricks and vertical window panes, which also give provide direct light to the internal stairwell.

This particular aspect of the design is also present in nearby Marlborough Hall, Ward Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, built 1938, and number 7 McDonald Street Potts Point, both Art Deco designs.

The origin of its name, St James, is unknown.

Original plans held by the City of Sydney Council confirm that the original facade is still intact.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions