About the Hughenden
The Hughenden today
The heritage Hughenden (circa 1870s) at the crossroads of Paddington and Woollahra is a warm and welcoming, gracefully restored boutique hotel.
Visitors can linger for an hour or a day before exploring the galleries, cafes, markets of this historic area. At the Hughenden people meet over coffee and a meal or just enjoy a glass of wine or listen to Sir Victor playing the baby grand on Friday and Saturday evenings. On Sundays there is High Tea in winter in front of the fireplace. Writers and artists frequent the café and sitting rooms. Autographed children's books can be purchased there. Visitors may wander through the Victorian sitting rooms enjoying the artwork, as well as the architecture of the Hughenden with its black marble fireplaces and secret servants' bells.
During the day, dog lovers sit with their puppy behind the fleur-de-lis wrought iron fence while enjoying cake and coffee and watching Queen Street pass by. The Hughenden is one of the few hotels where pets can actually stay overnight. There is Centennial Parklands across the road for playtime with a leash-free area, pets can even be a guest at your civil ceremony.
Sports weekends are alive at the Hughenden. A light meal, a drink, excited discussions are the hallmark of a Sydney Swans game or a one day match at the SCG or rugby. There is a cricket display at the Hughenden of the famous British Quaife cricketing family. Included in the display is Australia's own Bradman's Invincibles, some of who stayed at the Hughenden. Look for the autographed cricket ball. Visitors can walk to the sports venues from the Hughenden.
Special events such as Yuletide in July, Mothers Day, Valentine's Day or an overnight dinner bed and breakfast package are part of the life of the Hughenden.
It is about dropping in, dining or staying overnight, perusing the art, experiencing the heritage of an 1870s mansion in a unique part of Sydney. It is about the pleasure of staying at the Hughenden.
The history of the Hughenden
The Hughenden was built in 1872 by Dr Fredrick Harrison Quaife as a family home for his good wife Ester. Very quickly the corridors of the Hughenden were filled with the sounds of their six children. Fredrick Harrison Quaife named his family home after the country residence of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden Manor. Fredrick's initials are still etched in the original glass above the front door. Fredrick's father, Barzillai Quaife also lived on Queen Street close to his family.
Barzillai Quaife was a major influence in the early colony. Barzillai Quaife was a dissenting minister who migrated to the colony in 1840. He became an influential newspaper editor, a political lobbyist, and a minister in the colonies and Australia's first philosopher. His intellectual and political contribution has profoundly influenced Australian history, yet he has been lost in our history. As early as 1840 Barzillai Quaife was advocating land rights for Aboriginals and Maoris, decrying racism and preaching the equality of men.
Fredrick Harrison Quaife was a doctor in the early colony starting the Eastern Suburbs Medical Association, still in operation today. He was also a member of the New South Wales Medical Board, Vice President of the Royal Society of New South Wales and a founding father of the Astronomical Society. Fredrick Harrison Quaife brought one of the first x-ray machines to the colony and was one of the first graduates of the University of Sydney.
By 1913 the Hughenden became a ladies college, Riviere College inspiring a generation of Australian women. Some of these include Dame Constance D'Arcy a pioneer obstetrician and gynecologist who fought relentlessly for maternal care and women's rights; Lillian de Lissa, a pioneer of early childhood education; Estelle Barnes, pioneer female dentist; Matilda Meares, pioneer graduate of Sydney University. The emblem and school motto has been restored to the glass above the headmistresses quarters - Des Fleisses Lohn, Rewards of Work and Diligence.
By World War II the Hughenden was slowly changing becoming a Masonic Hall, Matilda's Boarding House, a Saturday night dance hall and eventually the Centennial Lodge. Over the years there has been many stories of residents of both Matilda's Boarding House and Centennial Lodge who have returned to see the Hughenden restored.
Discovering the Hughenden
In 1992 two sisters, Susanne and Elizabeth Gervay discovered a decaying building hidden behind a concrete fence. Then known as Centennial Lodge all the history and heritage of the building had been lost. Susanne, an author, and Elizabeth, an artist, set about purchasing the Centennial Lodge and restoring a lost part of Sydney's history.
With the legacy left by their father Zoltan and the encouragement of their mother Veronika, Susanne and Elizabeth secured the 48 room 2 bathroom boarding house; along with an eclectic mix of residents. Over the next few years Susanne and Elizabeth, with the help of their Engineer brother Thomas, renovated the Centennial Lodge and discovered the history within. After extensive research the Hughenden was reborn, with 33 Victorian style rooms all with private ensuites.
Susanne and Elizabeth's vision was to create a boutique hotel with arts and literature as its cultural focus. Today there are regular meetings of book clubs and authors networks along with rotating art exhibitions and permanent collections from Wagner Gallery as well as the Hughenden's own collect of art. Music has also become a part of the Hughenden with various musical events and nights occurring regularly in our Piano Bar.
- View a detailed or brief history of the Hughenden
- View the Sydney Morning Herald Article by Bruce Elder from 2001
- View the hotel photo gallery
- Read 'An eccentric slice of Victoriana' from the Sydney Morning Herald
- Read 'Quaife's Restaurant at the Hughenden' article in Food in Focus magazine.
Hughenden Boutique Hotel Awards
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