THE ELIZABETH BAY LOOP
No, the Elizabeth Bay Loop, as locals call it, is not a new knitting knot or an embroidery stitch.
It’s a geographical niche area in Elizabeth Bay which is a microcosm of Australia’s design and natural elements since 1828, almost 200 years.
It is a dense urban area with over 2,000 residents.
It is a community-within-in-a-community.
Its shape is a roadway loop centred around historic Macleay Reserve; a 450-metre semi-circle taking only a 15-minute stroll to enjoy.
The reserve itself dates to 1828 and contains remnants of Alexanders Macleay’s famous historic botanical gardens which originally fully embraced Elizabeth Bay House.
Number 97, Tresco, built 1867-1883, was part of Alexander Macleay’s first 1856 sub-division which scissored the Elizabeth Bay House estate into lots. It was purchased by Thomas Rowe, a famous architect, who built it and lived in the home for four years from 1872-1876.
The Sydney Morning Herald of 9th December 1865 noted comments by the local agents, Richardson and Wrench: ”This is in unrivalled site with extensive frontage to the waters of Elizabeth Bay.”
It still sits on its original one-acre site with carefully-coiffured terraced grounds and an in-harbour pool and 130-year-old fig tree, the largest known to be on private property.
Ashton, 102 Elizabeth Bay Road, a grand Victorian villa, built in 1887 also by Thomas Rowe, was once the German consulate, and is now a heritage-listed local landmark which has been added to over the last 135 years. It still contains many original features and is a positive streetscape element on its own.
The former Kincoppal school stables facing Elizabeth Bay Crescent and its original school building at number 93 highlight how important sandstone was in this late 19th century period. Kincoppal House and the associated caretaker’s cottage, its formerly stables next door, were originally designed as a private dwelling but by 1943 Kincoppal House had been largely modified to serve as a school.
Heritage-listed Aringa at number 61 with its brass embossed name plate, is a delightfully-conserved home with its green striped, concave corrugated iron awning, terra-cotta chimney pipes, raw wooden shingles and north-facing verandah. It is a fine example of its 19th century period.
Number 84, was built in the 1880s by John Barlow (1860-1925), an architect who also built many churches. The gothic arched brick entrance vestibule, marble stairs and stained glass are his signature design features.
Oakburn and Laureville in the Loop at 88 Elizabeth Bay Road are both grand 1870-1880s-boom buddie buildings with an historic tower, cast iron balconies. Laureville’s large metal pear sculpture is a modern visual juxtaposition highlighting the old against the new.
With the 1930s came another building boom in the area. Number 81, a no-name apartment block has its ballroom and is a Mediterranean design with Roman tiles, barley twist columns and deep balconies, sitting alongside Adereham Hall, a jazz-age building at number 76, designed by George Mckinnon and Sons in 1934. It’s a nine-storey, 35- metre-tall block also known locally as “Gotham City hall” with its 80-year-old fig tree and sunburst Art Deco entrance design motif. It was originally advertised as having “Perfect sunlight. Harbour views, swimming pool. Unfurnished 5-room or 3-room flat, sun-lounge, 2 bathrooms, polished floors. Elevator service. Free refridgerator, hot water and central heating. Apply caretaker 71 Elizabeth Bay-road FL 4549”
Ashdown at 96, a five-storey, chic, black and white Art Deco/Moderne-style block built 1938 with its curved facade, was designed by Russian emigrant, Aaron Bolot (1900-1989)..
It was described by the exclusive ‘Art in Australia” magazine, August 1938 edition, as “an excellent example of the dignity that comes from well-considered proportions and absolute simplicity”.
Cheddington, number 63, an ornate and exuberant building with its inlaid mosaics, exotic Moroccan arches, terrazzo steps and twisted columns, adds a point of interest to the Loop’s eclectic nature.
The 1960s was another period of boom growth, with Harry Seidler’s contributions at number 85, named Ercildoune after its 19th century original villa site, and International Lodge at number 100, built 1965, making startling, concrete angular, neo-Euro, post-World War II design statements.
Three large mid-century apartments, fingered towards the harbour built in the 1960s including two at Ashleigh at 104 and Oceana at 108 Elizabeth Bay Road have now come into vogue as design statements from the “Baby Boom” (1946-1964) era.
Oceana was designed by Theodore Fry (1908-1959), a Polish immigrant who fled to Australia in 1948 after fleeing World War II-ravaged Europe. It was completed circa 1961 and takes its name from its watery location. It was one of the first modern high-rise apartment blocks to appear on the Elizabeth Bay skyline in the early 1960s.
Toft Monks at 105 Elizabeth Bay Road was a grand 19th century mansion, replaced by modern apartments in 1967.
One of its most famous occupants was British rock star, David Bowie, who had a ten-year love affair with Australia from apartment 39 until 1992. He described the area as “absolutely fabulous”. He also frequented the famous Sebel Town house, now demolished. His Sydney apartment was used as a base for month-long adventures to the outback and far north Queensland rainforests throughout the 1980s.
It was followed nearby by the unusually shaped Deepdene, 110 Elizabeth Bay Road, which at first glance seems undefinable. It was built in 1970 and is an eight-storey, 45-metre-high concrete tower containing four apartments.
At each historical period the Elizabeth Bay Loop has swung on the hinge of history.
It has exemplars of each period and the only place in the eastern suburbs where they can be enjoyed all at once.
It is circumnavigated by Macleay Reserve, an historic shady nook and green oasis with its name carved into the sandstone plinth at its entrance.
The Reserve’s four vintage garden armchairs with their embossed council coats of arms provide a respite from the hum and thrum of our high-octane urban living under its dappled light.
Meanwhile, the 311 buses swivel around The Loop like a carousel for locals providing convenient travel to both the CBD and Central Station train and bus nodes.
By
Andrew Woodhouse
Heritage Solutions
