Forgotten Sydney

02/11/2026

City Hub has been covering the destruction of our city’s historic architecture and the changing legislation allowing large scale developments in inner Sydney.

In this article, the NSW Government and Inner West Council have provided responses to the outrage around the demolition of ‘Ravenscraig’ at 16 Darley Street Marrickville.

I’ve also provided additional commentary on the matter. This includes looking interstate for some ideas for how our architectural history can be protected.

If you’re concerned about the loss of heritage in your suburb, the scale of development, or the lack of infrastructure planned to go with an increased population, I encourage you to contact your local council or state member for parliament.

Ravenscraig, formerly at 16 Darley Street in Marrickville, is one of the latest historic homes lost to Sydney’s perpetual redevelopment. Its demolition

27/10/2026

Meet Drew! The genius behind Forgotten Sydney 📸

24/10/2026

Ravenswood was at 16 Darley Street, Marrickville.

Knocking down century-old homes to build modern dwellings does little to fix Sydney’s housing affordability. It just replaces character with concrete.

When you factor in the massive environmental footprint of demolition and rebuilding, it can take decades for the efficiencies of the new structure to offset the energy lost in the old one.

Heritage advocacy isn’t against new housing - it’s about smarter urban planning and controls.

Acknowledgements:
- Images 3-8 courtesy Domain
- Thanks to the locals for sharing this story

20/10/2026

It’s now a museum, but this building has a colourful history of its own.

It was built for local doctor John Saxon Crakanthorp in 1929. He used the property as his medical practice and also lived there with his wife Valerie, their two daughters, and the family dog. Valerie named the home ‘Kenilworth’ after travelling to the English town as a young girl.

The Tudor-revival home was designed by prominent Sydney architects Peddle Thorp & Walker (PTW). The surgery and waiting room were downstairs, along with the living room, kitchen, and dining areas. Upstairs were the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Dr Crakanthorp (1901-1983) was a prominent local, having played rugby union for Australia in 1923, before graduating as a doctor from the University of Sydney in 1924. He became the club doctor for the St George District Rugby Union Club, and would sell his home to the club in 1962 for use as their clubhouse.

The property was later sold to John and Annette Ibbitson, who transformed it into MacMahon’s Manor, a theatre restaurant, opening in 1983. It was subsequently used as a café, reception centre, and art gallery before being purchased by Hurstville City Council.

In 2003, the council was seeking a new home for the St George Regional Museum. After Kenilworth became vacant in 2003, the decision was made to move the museum there. It opened in the heritage-listed building on 6 February 2004 and became known as Hurstville Museum & Gallery.

Images:
1. Forgotten Sydney
2. The home as MacMahon’s Manor in 1988 (via Georges River Council)
3-4. Forgotten Sydney

19/10/2026

Richard Nicholas Johnson purchased two adjoining plots of land in 1889 and set about building a grand new home on his corner block. Designed by architect GHM Addison, the highly ornate Victorian mansion was completed in 1891. It first appeared in the Sydney Sands Postal Directory of 1894 with the name Earlswood.

Richard Johnson was the Commissioner for Stamp Duties, a position he held for over 30 years before retiring in 1917. His death notice appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald of 7 September 1918.

Earlswood was subsequently sold and converted into flats in 1923, becoming known as Earlswood Flats. Randwick Council archive photos from 1984 show the verandahs had been enclosed to make additional rooms (image 2).

The property has since been returned to a single residence and restored to its original state. The heritage-listed Earlswood is considered an excellent example of the Victorian Italianate style.

Images:
1. Forgotten Sydney
2. Randwick City Council Archives (1984)
3-9. Forgotten Sydney
10-16. Via Domain

18/10/2026

SAVE THE DATE

Sydney Open is back on Sunday 1 November 2026.

These are just a handful of the 40+ buildings that will open on the day. Secure your ticket at sydneyopen.com.au

15/10/2026

Subdivision of this part of Kingsford began in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1940s that soil was turned to construct this home. Builders Edward Moore and Edward Winkle purchased the land from the subdivision and built the Streamline Moderne home between 1947 and 1949.

The first owner was Theodore Ellis, who owned the house until 1962. It was sold to Dominic Antico, a fruit agent from Randwick. And that was the last recorded sale in the old title system.

Heritage researchers believe the home may have been completed as a face brick structure, with rendering and painting occurring at a later time. The second storey and rear extension are also later additions.

Despite the changes, the home is considered a highly original example of post-war functionalist architecture.

Images:
1-3. Forgotten Sydney
4. 1920s subdivision plan from the State Library of NSW
5-9. Via Domain

17/09/2026

This building was designed by Hennessy, Hennessy & Co. This Sydney firm originally comprised father and son architects John Hennessy (1853-1924) and his son John Hennessy (1887-1955) - better known as Jack. After his father’s death, Jack brought other partners into the firm but retained the name.

Historic and interior images courtesy Ku-ring-gai Council.

15/09/2026

48 Martin Place was one of two buildings featured on money boxes by the Commonwealth Bank. The other was its building at 5 Martin Place.

10/09/2026

The iconic Garron Tower was converted to company title in 1956, as it remains to this day.

Images credits:
- Subdivision plan Via the State Library of NSW
- Aerial images courtesy NSW Government Spatial Services
- Interior images courtesy Domain
- All other exterior images are the original work of Forgotten Sydney