"Prestonville" Later Named "Cairo" - 81 Macleay Street - Potts Point
Prestonville, the Residence of
Mr. Robert Thorne.
We give this week a view of Prestonville, the mansion of Mr. Robert Thorne, situate in Macleay-street, Potts' Point,—a handsome edifice, which takes a prominent place, both in regard to architecture and adaptability for a family residence, among the many noble-looking buildings which ornament that portion of the suburbs of the city. It stands in from Macleay-street a distance of about 160 feet, and the intervening space is exquisitely laid out in walks and gardens. The principal entrance is from Macleay-street, where there is a handsome iron palisading, on stone foundations, with six very ornamental pillars. Our engraving represents the building from an eastern aspect, and of course does not convey any idea of the equally handsome appearance that it presents from a northerly point of view. The architect for the whole of the work was Mr. David M'Beath, of Palmer-street, Sydney, and it was under his personal superintendence that it was carried out. The structure is of brick, with stone foundations, cemented in a highly ornamental manner. As will be seen from our engraving, the building is two storeys in height—the ground floor being 14 feet 6 inches high, and the first floor 13 feet 6 inches in the clear. At the portico of the Macleay-street entrance, there are two Corinthian stone columns supporting a domed ornamental canopy, and the door from this leads into an entrance hall, striking from its highly classic and magnificent appearance. The hall is twelve feet wide, and is surrounded by twelve Corinthian columns, bearing an entablature, which with other like architectural adornments are afterwards found to be a good index to the internal ornamentation of the building. From the hall there is a flight of cedar stairs, quite in keeping with the appearance of the hall, and of very easy ascent. It may be mentioned, without entering …
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[Caption under the engraving at the top of the post:]
PRESTONVILLE, THE RESIDENCE OF MR. ROBERT THORNE.
Evening News - Sydney - Thursday 9th August 1911 - Pg 5
DEATH OF A POTTS POINT IDENTITY.
The large circle of friends of Mrs. M. A. Thorne, widow of Mr. Robert Thorne, will regret to learn of her death, which occurred at her residence, "Prestonville," Potts Point, on Monday last. The deceased lady was 76 years of age, and was the last surviving daughter of the late William Moffitt, one of Sydney's best known early identities. She was pre-deceased by her two sisters, Mrs. John Marks, of "Glenrock," and Mrs. James Marks, of "Elystan," during the past three years. The remaining family members are Mr. H. E. Thorne, Mrs. J. Spencer Brunton, and Mrs. C. W. Marsden. Mrs. Thorne was a benefactress whose charitable services will be greatly missed by many. A representative cortege of some of Sydney's oldest residents, including relatives, followed the last remains to the family vault at the Rookwood Cemetery, on Wednesday.
The death occurred at Ballina on Tuesday night of Mrs. Isabella Brown, 74. Her husband, who was 79 years of age, died on Friday last. The old couple, who were formerly residents of Shoalhaven, celebrated their golden wedding last year.
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The "Cairo"
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 13 November 1929, page 16
THE CAIRO, POTTS POINT.
SOLD FOR £45,000.
The Cairo, 81 Macleay-street, Potts Point, formerly one of Sydney's most fashionable boarding establishments, was sold yesterday by Mrs. J. J. Copeman for £45,000.
The property, which has a frontage of 100ft to Macleay-street, with considerable depth, was put up for auction on March 15 last, and was passed in at £35,000.
The purchaser is Mr. L. H. Hinks, and it is his intention to erect a block of modern flats on the site.