Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Street-by-Street: Potts Point
The substantial Victorian houses filling the
streets of this old suburb are excellent
examples of the 19th-century concern with
architectural harmony. New building pro-
jects were designed to enhance rather than
contradict the surrounding buildings and
general streetscape. Monumental structures
and fine details of moulded stuccoed parapets, cornices
and friezes, even the spandrels in herringbone pattern,
are all integral parts of a grand suburban plan. (This
plan included an 1831 order that all houses cost at least
£1,000.) Cool and dark verandas extend the street's green
canopy of shade, leaving an impression of cool drinks
enjoyed on hot summer days in fine Victorian style.
Beare Park
fountain detail
The McElhone Stairs
were pre-
ceded by a wooden ladder that
linked Woolloomooloo Hill, as
Kings Cross was known, to the
estate far below.
Horderns Stairs
These villas
, from
the Georgian and
Victorian eras, can
be broadly labelled
as Classical Revival
and are fronted by
leafy gardens.
Kings Cross
Station
.
Victoria Street
In 1972-4, residents of this
historic street fought a some-
times violent battle against
developers wanting to build
high-rise office towers,
motels and blocks of flats
2
Werrington
,
a mostly serious and
streamlined building,
also has flamboyant
Art Deco detailing
which is now subdued
under brown paint.
I Z
STAR SIGHTS
. Victoria Street
Tusculum Villa
was just one of
a number of 1830s houses sub-
ject to “villa conditions”. All had
to face Government House, be
of a high monetary value and be
built within three years.
. Elizabeth Bay House
