Ready to discover the story of 22 Macleay Street Plaque? This site has a history that stretches back to the early days of Sydney. Let’s step back to the 1820s. The area around 22 Macleay Street was once known as Woolloomooloo Hill. This distinguished it from the working-class area in the valley below.
In the 1830s the ridge was divided into large allotments. Up to 15 grand villas were built around Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay. One of the most notable was Alexander Macleay’s Elizabeth Bay House.
After the 1840s depression and the 1850s gold rush, these allotments were subdivided again. The first subdivisions of Macleay’s estate occurred in 1865. This included the eastern side of Macleay Street called the Elizabeth Bay Estate allotments. Numbers 22-24 Macleay Street were part of this first round of subdivisions.
Subsequently, two stuccoed villas were built on the site. They were named Bothwell and Carlsbrook. They reflected the Italianate style typical of the late Victorian period. However, these villas did not stand the test of time.
In 2007 Bothwell and Carlsbrook were demolished. In their place rose the prestige apartment block that stands here today. While the original villas are gone, the land beneath 22 Macleay Street retains its historical significance. It echoes a time of grand estates and significant subdivisions that shaped the area.
Today 22 Macleay Street Plaque reminds us of the changing face of Potts Point. It evolved from sprawling estates to the modern apartment block we see now. The plaque marks a site that has witnessed significant changes in Sydney’s development. It stands as a silent witness to the passage of time in this vibrant part of the city.