History of the building
The site has a long history as a commercial property. On Castlereagh Street the original building façade of Williamson and Croft Importers can be seen together with the wrought iron signage installed in 1911.
The Regency Hyde Park apartments were designed by Bruce Swalwell Architects, developed by Greencliff and built by Concrete Constructions.
Many apartments still have the original interiors featuring natural stone, timber, and parquetry-style timber flooring at the entrance to the apartments.
Completed in 1998, there are 131 apartments ranging in size from one bedroom to multi-level penthouses. There is secure underground parking and many car parks include garage storage spaces.
Commercial lots on the ground floor including a Medical Centre and Cafe on Elizabeth Street and a Restaurant on Castlereagh Street.
1909 City of Sydney Archives
1953 City of Sydney Archives
1961 City of Sydney Archives
From the archives
Manning Chambers sold for £31,000
The Sydney Morning Herald dated 13 September 1945 records the sale of Manning Chambers by L. J. Hooker Pty Ltd for £31,000. It describes the premises as a large city building comprising a ground floor and six upper floors occupied as shops and offices. Reference.
Mothercraft HQ
Sister Mary A Jacob, Sister-in-charge of the Australian Mothercraft Society (Plunket System), wrote a series of articles in The Land in the early 1930s. On 13 February 1931 she published a recipe for “humanised” milk for mothers to feed their babies. The address of the society at that time was 283 Elizabeth Street Sydney. Reference.
Political celebrations
Cafe Memoire at 283 Elizabeth Street was where the Women’s Central Organising Committee celebrated its 25th anniversary as the official women’s body of the Australian Labor Party. The event was held on 7 May 1934 and recorded by The Labor Daily the following day. Reference.
Perfect vision
In November 1947, optometrists/opticians Alex Hale advertised for an apprentice optical mechanic to join the business at 281 Elizabeth Street. Applicants were required to have an intermediate standard of maths. In an ad published in the Daily Mirror in November 1949 they promised “modern eye-wear at moderate cost”. Advertising in 1951 shows the business continuing to operate at the Elizabeth Street address. Reference.