The view from Cliff Street

This postcard of South Steyne is at first glance like a hundred others. The view looking towards the south end of the ocean beach has always been a popular one. What is of interest to us is the large area of cleared ground at the top of the cliff, since it helps us date the photo fairly neatly. On the site stood Bowercliff, the mansion built for successful boot manufacturer John P Wright. Following the deaths of Mr and Mrs Wright, the building became a popular guest-house. In late 1927 it was demolished, and the site lay vacant throughout 1928. In 1929, construction began on the Borambil building, which was completed in 1930, one of the few large building jobs to take place in Manly in the Depression years. So for a few months in 1928, the residents of a handful of houses in Cliff Street had one of the best views in Australia. Borambil still stands guard over the southern end of the beach.

Thanks to John Morcombe for the loan of the postcard.