Apartment 109, 3-5 Greenknowe Avenue Elizabeth Bay is for sale through Rod Angus.

See Real Estate For Sale – 109/3-5 Greenknowe Avenue – Elizabeth Bay , NSW

At Greenknowe Avenue the original project now known as Tara was lodged on 30th April 1941 and approved by council for construction on 21st May 1941. Today, a large vacant block behind the current block remains vacant and is used as a car park. It is not clear exactly how this occurred. A second stage may have been considered, resources may not have been available due to wartime restrictions or engineering concerns may have intervened.

Research of the City of Sydney Council archives reveals Tara was originally named Texas and was designed by Dallas Edward Walsh. The reason for the original building name is unknown. He had been an architect since 1923. From his office at 4 Castlereagh Street , Sydney, he also designed Glenelg apartments nearby at 37 Roslyn Street and significant alterations to the Rose Bay Methodist Church. The engineer for Texas, now Tara, was Mr E.C Everingham, responsible for the foundations and reinforced concrete floors etc.

An inspection of council’s records note that an “application to erect block of flats, second section“ was made on 12th May 1941, and on 16th May; “inspected part excavations of foundations … on very soft rock.”

Work may have stopped due to uncertain foundations, or the second section referred to may have been a reference to the Greenknowe Lane side of the apartments but, in any event the building inspector’’ card entry notes: “13th March 1943 half of the building only completed”, indicating wartime events may also have had an effect on the proposed work schedule.

The Twentieth Century Heritage Society of NSW notes: “Tara, … demonstrates the changes wrought in twenty five years when it is compared to its illustrious neighbour [Kingsclere].”

Similarities of height and mass, window proportions and brickwork, however, mean that the relationship between the two is relatively harmonious. Its Functionalist (Moderne) exterior is punctuated by a Tudor-ish arch above the main entry off the laneway.”

The face brickwork detail is worth noting. Intricate patterns, setbacks and colouring are evident with the front entrance arch creating an imposing setback doorway.

Inside, the foyer is reminiscent of a theatre entrance.

Detailed scarlet tiling highlights add drama.

It  has remained firmly planted on site for over eighty years and seems ready exist for many more to come.

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions