By ANNA USHER

One of Mosman’s most historic estates, the Victorian Italianate mansion Ellamatta, will be transformed into luxury residences after more than 150 years as a private residence, a school and a hospital.

This week, the first architectural renders were unveiled for The Alexander, a collection of 22 independent living residences designed for discerning downsizers and starting at $3.3 million.

Comprising 15 contemporary apartments, three townhouses, heritage residences, a freestanding villa and an exclusive penthouse, The Alexander has been designed by architects Calderflower Architecture and will be brought to life by Twilight, one of Australia’s longest-running not-for-profit aged care providers.

“For Mosman residents in particular, The Alexander offers the opportunity to remain connected to the neighbourhood they know and love,” a spokesperson told Mosman Collective.

“The development responds to the aspirations of homeowners seeking to simplify the responsibilities of maintaining a larger property without sacrificing the comforts, privacy and freedom they have always enjoye

The architectural vision places Ellamatta at the heart of the estate, with the new buildings designed to complement rather than compete with the historic mansion. A refined palette of sandstone, light and dark brick, zinc and bronze-toned detailing creates a considered connection between old and new.

“The restoration will preserve significant original features, including decorative cornices, windows, architraves and a distinctive pointed arch, while historic veranda openings, rediscovered behind later wall cladding, will be reinstated,” the spokesperson said.

“Ellamatta’s restored interiors will become part of residents’ everyday lives, with a library, sitting room, dining room and shared kitchen creating welcoming spaces for relaxation and entertaining.”

Luxury living without compromise

The Alexander’s collection of two- and three-bedroom residences has been designed to offer the space, quality and individuality of a private home, with the ease of a more considered lifestyle.

Generous living and entertaining areas will feature herringbone timber flooring, natural stone finishes, beautifully appointed kitchens and thoughtfully integrated storage.

Depending on the residence, private balconies, terraces, heritage verandas or gardens will provide a seamless connection to the outdoors.

Among the most distinctive offerings are two heritage residences within Ellamatta, where the mansion’s grand proportions and surviving period details will be complemented by contemporary interiors and luxury appointments.

The collection also includes a freestanding three-bedroom villa with its own street entrance and double garage, three townhouses with private outdoor spaces, and a penthouse with three bedrooms, a separate study and an expansive rooftop entertaining terrace.

Residents will also enjoy access to a range of shared amenities, including a gym, yoga and Pilates room, salon, media room and multifunction entertaining space.

Throughout the grounds, established trees and heritage palms will be retained, with new landscaping by Arterra Design enhancing the estate’s historic character and creating peaceful garden spaces.

Ellamatta History

Ellamatta, an Aboriginal word meaning “our home”, was built in 1870 as a three-storey stone mansion on two acres of the Silex estate for Captain Edward Mawney Sayers, who in 1859 became the first MP for St Leonards.

In 1908, A H ‘Tibby’ Yarwood bought it as a boarding school for the Mosman Church of England Preparatory School, before selling it in 1916 to Matron Jessie Harnett for her hospital, Glengarry.

After World War II, Reverend F.O. Hulme Moir of St Clement’s Church and other locals raised the money to buy the property in 1948, and it became the All Saints Church of England Hospital, a recognised public hospital from 1951.

Twilight Aged Care acquired Ellamatta and the neighbouring Glengarry property in the late 1990s.

Most recently, the Effingham St site was home to Mosman House, which gave 57 vulnerable older women 25,539 safe nights between 2020 and 2025, as Mosman Collective reported in May.

The restoration will keep the mansion’s decorative cornices, windows, architraves and a distinctive pointed arch, and reinstate the old veranda openings found behind later wall cladding.

Further information about individual residences, floor plans and private introductions will be made available to registered parties. Prices start from $3.3million.

To register your interest in The Alexander, visit: www.thealexandermosman.com.au

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