THE STATLER & HOPES APARTMENTS, DARLINGHURST
Article by guest author Andrew Woodhouse, Director, Heritage
Solutions
THE STATLER
The
Statler and The Hopes with St Pancras at their rear, at 251-61 Darlinghurst
Road, have more layers than a lasagne but are more intriguing: it's a mine of
urban archaeology.
The
Hon Joseph Docker MLC (1802-1884), Minister for Justice and described as
“an old fogey” by media, lived on Darlinghurst Road in today’s Kings
Cross. He then moved in 1880 to his home opposite St John’s Anglican church,
later no.101 and now 261 Darlinghurst Road.
Sands’s
Sydney and Suburban Directories show this new site in Darlinghurst Road was
occupied by society’s upper echelons including another politician, a solicitor,
and Joseph Docker, all close to the courts and Macquarie Street.
Joseph
died in 1884 but an old 1884 site survey shows no. 101 in its original form.
It
was later named Nyrambla by 1888, and became the home of Joseph’s son, Wilfred
Docker (1848-1919). The reason for the name is unknown. Wilfred was a banker, St
John’s parishioner and a tireless charity worker. His brother, Ernest Docker, who
died later in Elizabeth Bay, was a District Court Judge for 37 years, known for
his harsh sentences.
THE HOPES
By
1895 the site adjacent was the Hope Private Hospital, later becoming The Hopes flats
in 1931, and later “residential chambers”, or a boarding house. Nyrambla was
then converted to flats by 1929 and by 1931 another apartment block, St Pancras,
was built at the rear of The Hopes. Meanwhile, The Statler was re-badged with a
neo-classical face lift in 1931.
Today’s apartments explain
how the past has become the present.
The
former 19th century home with its gables, chimneys and wrought
iron finials can still be seen high above and behind the 1930s façade overlay. The
neo-classical 30s style features include Roman arch windows, terrazzo entrances
and medallions.
This
attractive group makes a significant heritage contribution to its
neighbourhood.
For more information on the history of these wonderful Darlinghurst landmarks check out the blog 'My Darling Darlinghurst'
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