Unit 202/40 Macleay Street Elizabeth Bay is for sale through Angleo Bouras and Thomas Andrews.

It is a decidedly 1960s apartment block with its bronze/red variegated brick and contrasting grey tiled facade.

At the end of World War ΙΙ the site was used by the clergy of the Great Synagogue. In 1958 they erected a building to be used as residential flats, with shops on the ground floor.

In 1960 Ambassador Hotels used the ground floor as a restaurant and the first floor as the manager’s residence. Circa 1961, the existing building was erected. It later operated as the Sheraton Marquee Hotel, then later the Sheraton Motor Lodge. The most memorable and impressive guests were The Beatles in June of 1964.

The building was converted to strata title in 1997 and today comprises 65 residential apartments and three commercial premises.

A typical floor plan consists of five one-bedroom and three studio apartments. Designed over 11 levels, including two car park levels, there are also two penthouses on level nine. The building amenities include a large common laundry and some storerooms which are allocated to specific lots. Many upper-level apartments offer extensive harbour and district views and some apartments on levels one and two provide outdoor terraces.

The 1960s spawned the biggest social upheaval of the 20th century. It was a time for the turned on, tuned in and dropped out.

So when English pop group, The Beatles, arrived in Australia, staying in suite 801, Sheraton Motor Lodge, 40 Macleay Street on that wet, windy winter’s day on Thursday 11th June 1964, Potts Point seemed to be at the centre of the universe.

The group: John Lennon (later murdered 1980), Paul McCartney, George Harrison (died 2001) and “Ringo” Starr, had booked into the Chevron Hotel, 81 Macleay Street opposite (now Ikon apartments), but were refused as management feared riots. But screaming teenage fans and boys with signature Beatle haircuts still clogged footpaths on both sides of the street.

Police held them back outside the Sheraton opposite from where The Beatles gave their first Australian interview.

Ringo Starr arrived later due to tonsillitis.

Asked what they expected to find in Australia McCartney replied “Australians?!”

Enjoy this brief video of their Sydney interview

Uncut Beatles Sydney Press Conference

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions