Picture this. You stand before 1 Wylde Street Potts Point. Two magnificent mansions Bomera and Tarana rise majestically. They’ve witnessed centuries of Sydney’s history. They stand as testaments to the McQuade family. A family that shaped early Sydney’s landscape.
1 Wylde Street Potts Point houses Bomera and Tarana. These are not just houses. They’re heritage-listed residences. They’re jewels in Sydney’s crown. Their history begins with Judge-Advocate John Wylde. He received a land grant in 1822. This grant covered 11 acres at Potts Point’s northern end. Wylde Street itself is named after him.
William McQuade a prominent merchant from Windsor purchased the land in 1856. He built Bomera. Architect John Frederick Hilly designed the Italianate style villa. The construction included stables and a coach house. Bomera’s construction demonstrates the social and recreational opportunities of the area. The foreshores were valued for their potential. McQuade even helped establish Randwick Racecourse. He was a man of significant influence.
The house featured a ballroom. Later additions included a billiards room and a jetty. A grand octagonal summer house once graced the property. Two stone dog statues stood guard. The gardens contained a wealth of exotic species. These gardens reflected the wealth and taste of the McQuade family. The gardens were integrated with the overall design. They weren’t simply an afterthought.
After McQuade’s death in 1885 his son Arthur Frederick Hale McQuade built Tarana. This was a testament to the family’s continued presence in Sydney. This mansion expanded the family’s presence on the estate. It’s worth mentioning that the McQuade sons studied pipe organs. One organ from Bomera now resides in St Brigid’s Church Marrickville.
Both Bomera and Tarana served as Naval Fleet Headquarters during and after World War II. The buildings’ interiors were modified to serve this purpose. The buildings survived this period relatively intact. They have shown resilience throughout the years.
In 2001 Jorge and Monica Fernandez purchased the property. They restored Bomera. It was then sold to Leanne Catelan and later to Sanjeev Gupta. Bomera and Tarana stand as a symbol of enduring history. They represent wealth architectural talent family history and the strategic importance of the Potts Point area. Today you can admire these homes from Wylde Street. The 1 Wylde Street Potts Point plaque commemorates these magnificent homes. Their significance resonates through time. Their story reminds us of Sydney’s rich past.