In the early part of 1911, the Australian government held an international competition to decide on the design of the capital city of Canberra, which garnered 137 entries and was won by an American landscape architect Walter Burley Griffin. Griffin went on to live in Australia for two decades as a designer, during which time he also was responsible for many other buildings including the architectural achievement that is Fishwick House, located in Sydney at 15 The Citadel, Castlecrag.
Regarded both internationally and at home as one of the finest examples of 20th-century residential architecture, the home was originally designed by the Chicago-born Griffin in 1929 as a part of a larger Castlecrag development that he worked on with his wife, architect Marion Mahony. Prior to his arrival in Australia, Griffin had trained under a number of American architects that were members of the distinctive Prairie School style of architecture, which included the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright among its members.
This mentorship under Wright heavily influenced Griffin’s approach to architecture, which can be seen in 15 The Citadel, Castlecrag, with angular motifs, exposed timber and a deliberate sense of connection to the natural surroundings. Situated on an 809.3m² block at the end of a cul-de-sac overlooking Sailors Bay, Fishwick house has been described as being central to the “birth of Australia’s modern architecture.”
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Featuring four bedrooms, two bathrooms and space for a single car park, the property isn’t the largest on the market, but its architectural significance can’t be overlooked. The home last appeared on the market in 1976 when it was purchased by its current owners Sue and Andrew Kirk, who have faithfully acted as custodians of the Griffin home by respectfully maintaining and modernising the building as it required.
Constructed from unmistakable Sydney sandstone, the two-level property features an asymmetrical layout with a ground floor that boasts an awe-inspiring entrance foyer, grand sandstone fireplaces and one of the most stunning libraries we’ve ever seen at On The Market. The upper level is where you’ll find the four bedrooms and twin bathrooms, which are filled with abundant natural light and views out across the waters below.
With the best part of half a century passing since Fishwick house last appeared on the market, the sale of this incredible home really does represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Australian architectural history, as well as one of the best-preserved examples of Griffin’s work anywhere in the world. The home at 15 The Citadel, Castlecrag, is listed by the team at Modern House, who are currently seeking expressions of interest on the property with a price guide of between $5.6 million and $6.1 million.
