Iona, Darlinghurst
| Company type | Heritage-listed building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Heritage site / Former hospital |
| Founded | 1880–1888 |
| Headquarters | Darlinghurst, Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Private hospital (former) |
Iona, a heritage-listed building formerly serving as a private hospital, stands at 2 Darley Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. Erected between 1880 and 1888, it is also referred to as Iona Cottage. Throughout its history as a medical facility, it operated under several names including Wootton, Winchester, and Hughlings. This property was officially entered into the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
History
Darlinghurst: Originally known by names such as Woolloomooloo Heights, Eastern Hill, and Henrietta Town, the elevated suburb overlooking Sydney was renamed Darlinghurst in the 1820s by Governor Ralph Darling in honor of his wife, Eliza Darling. Initially designated as an Aboriginal reserve, the area began to develop in the early 19th century with several windmills harnessing local winds to produce flour.
Iona Cottage
The land on which Iona stands was part of a five-acre grant awarded to William Long in 1835. James Wright leased this parcel in 1836, and following subdivision in 1845, Elizabeth Grose acquired a portion that became recognized as one of the prestigious estates on Darlinghurst Heights.
From 1866 to 1869, Richard Jones occupied the residence; by 1872, Robert Carter was living there, marking the earliest documented use of the name "Iona Cottage". In 1879, Mrs Grose sold the estate and divided it into nine lots. Carter expanded the house by replacing its shingled roof with iron and remained there until 1884. At that time, Iona was described as a gentleman’s residence featuring five bedrooms.
Second and current Iona (1888)
In October 1888, Edward Chisholm—a prosperous merchant and pastoralist from Sydney—purchased the property and constructed a new residence also named "Iona". The Chisholm family resided there until Edward’s death in 1898, after which ownership transferred to the Perpetual Trustee Company.
The street was renamed Darley Street in 1906, likely honoring Sir Frederick Matthew Darley, then Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales. Consequently, the address became known as 2 Darley Street.
In March 1908, Adela Taylor—wife of Sir Allen Taylor, founder of a timber enterprise and former Lord Mayor of Sydney—acquired the property and renamed it "Wootton". Notably, Taylor Square in Sydney commemorates Allen Taylor.
Private hospital
Between 1912 and 1977, Iona/Wootton operated as a private hospital under various titles: Wootton Private Hospital (1912–1949), Winchester Private Hospital (1949–1968), and Hughlings Private Hospital (1968–1977). The Taylors sold it in December 1912 to Eliza Hyem, who leased it to Jessie Robertson, Elizabeth Robertson, and Annie Ellie McAndrew. They transformed it into a psychiatric hospital named "Wootton Private Hospital." Jessie Robertson became sole owner in 1918. Prior to 1919, an operating theatre was added. In 1920, Florence Inglis, Elizabeth Fraser, and Annie Paton assumed management and purchased the property in 1927.
A two-storey wing adjoining the theatre was constructed in 1935; minor additions followed in 1936 alongside a seven-bedroom nurses’ residence. By 1939, the hospital comprised twenty-seven bedrooms. Matron Lillian Ross West acquired ownership in early 1948. The Winchester Hospital group took over in 1949 and ran it as "Winchester Private Hospital" until Hugo Holdings purchased it in 1968. It was subsequently renamed "Hughlings Private Hospital" until closure in 1977. Significant modifications in 1969 included enclosing verandahs and altering doors to comply with health standards.
While numerous mansions in Darlinghurst were demolished between the 1920s and 1940s for residential development, Iona's continuous use as a hospital ensured its preservation. In 1973, developers Cascais, Westport Holdings, and Inciti Developments acquired this site along with adjacent properties. They received approval in 1977 to construct three towers each reaching sixty storeys and converted Iona into thirteen strata units. Financial challenges resulted in individual unit sales. The National Trust opposed these developments and classified Iona within the Darley Street Group in 1976; this group was subsequently listed on the Register of the National Estate.
Iona, post-1979
In December 1979, Jesseme P/L—owned by John Rutherford—purchased the property and reinstated its original name Iona. Although plans to convert it into fifteen apartments were proposed, they never came to fruition. Instead, South Sydney Council approved restoration for use as a single-family residence in October 1980. Rutherford obtained $20,000 from the Heritage Council for extensive refurbishment works including rewiring, replumbing, reguttering, and removal of unsympathetic additions. The nurses’ quarters adjacent to Iona were demolished in 1984 to improve its surroundings.
Around 1992 new entrance gates with pillars were installed on Tewkesbury Avenue featuring heraldic emblems depicting a talbot statant alongside a marquess coronet encircled by the motto of the Order of the Garter. Landscaping efforts during the early 1990s included excavation and planting mature palm trees to establish a new garden at the rear.
After remaining on the market for three years with unsuccessful boutique hotel proposals, Iona was sold to the Gowrie-Smith family in 1994. Film directors Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin leased it from 1997. Samboroo P/L purchased it in June 1999; subsequent demolition of neighboring structures enabled consolidation of adjoining lots with Iona.
In February 2006 Jan Gowrie-Smith sold Iona for $10 million to Luhrmann and Martin who utilized it both as their home and workplace. Following basement sewage flooding in 2009 urgent plumbing repairs were undertaken. The couple extensively renovated while preserving original elements such as flooring, tessellated tile entryway, ornate plaster ceilings, and fireplaces; they also introduced designer wallpapers and installed a lap swimming pool.
Luhrmann and Martin unsuccessfully listed Iona for sale in 2013 but reoffered it in July 2015 after relocating to New York City. It eventually sold early in 2016 for around $16 million to Sydney-based buyers Tim Eustace and Salvatore Panui who had previously restored and sold another historic property—the Lyndhurst house—in Glebe.
Description
Residence
Iona is a detached late Victorian villa featuring twenty-two rooms located within Darlinghurst—one of only a few remaining mansions of its kind. Constructed circa 1888 from rendered brick with a slate roof and two-storey verandahs, this structure replaced an earlier single-storey timber cottage bearing the same name. Situated toward the southern boundary of its site, Iona has undergone numerous modifications over time.
Converted into a private hospital during the early twentieth century until its closure in 1977, several additions were made throughout that period. In the mid-1970s surrounding properties were acquired for redevelopment; however these plans did not proceed fully. The house underwent restoration during the early eighties with an intended boutique hotel conversion which also did not materialize.
Garden
Occupying an irregular parcel measuring approximately 2,700 square metres at Darley Street’s terminus with frontage onto Tewkesbury Avenue, Iona retains a reduced remnant garden along its western side. The property is enclosed by high sandstone fencing with main access via cast iron palisade gates on Darley Street plus secondary entry through large iron gates facing Tewkesbury Avenue.
The northern and western sections contain lawn areas complemented by a paved circular driveway. Mature trees line boundaries while garden beds edged by low sandstone walls define spaces within. A grotto-style garden featuring sandstone walls with a circular centerpiece is located at the northeastern corner. The rear yard includes recent landscaping comprising stone paving, garden beds, and a fountain feature. A prominent Moreton Bay fig tree (Ficus macrophylla) overhangs along Tewkesbury Avenue’s boundary.
Modifications and dates
- pre-1888: original single-storey timber cottage named Iona
- circa 1888: existing Victorian villa constructed
- early twentieth century–1977: adapted for use as private hospital with multiple alterations
- 1970s: site acquired for redevelopment; mansion retained but development not completed
- 1980s: restoration carried out; boutique hotel conversion proposed but not executed
Heritage listing
Constructed around 1888, Iona is distinguished by its exceptional aesthetic value as a late Victorian Italianate villa exemplifying architectural transition into Federation-era residential design. Its overall form, choice of materials—and particularly its elaborate cornices which are rare for their craftsmanship—contribute significantly to its architectural importance. The property holds historical associations with notable businessmen and civic leaders while having been adapted for institutional use as a private hospital. Although largely intact today many original details and joinery were reconstructed following its medical facility phase.
Iona was officially entered onto the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2nd, 1999.