New $7.3 million Glebe residence planned for Archbishop Glenn Davies

For more than a century Sydney’s Anglican archbishops resided in the 1841-built sandstone mansion Bishopscourt, but the church’s official Sydney residence may take on a far more contemporary look in the future, according to DA plans before Sydney City Council.

Four years ago the church sold off the 15-bedroom sandstone monolith with its Gothic-style chapel designed by architect Edmund Blacket, and on the drawing board is a three-storey house in Glebe with polished concrete floors, recycled brickwork and metal and timber cladding.

“This is about as far away from a Gothic mansion as you can get,” said Doug Marr, registrar of the Diocese of Sydney. “The plans are for a flexible home, work and meeting space that provides for the wide range of uses needed in the Archbishop’s residence, while at the same time fitting into the surrounding area.”

Architectural firm Allen Jack + Cottier was appointed to design the residence after a successful design competition and the DA estimates the build cost at more than $7.3 million, funded by the sale of Bishopscourt.

Bishopscourt was sold in 2015 for $18 million to Chinese billionaire Wang Qinghui, who late last year transferred ownership to his teenage son Caleb for $17.5 million.

If approved the new home of Archbishop Glenn Davies will have a fraction of the number of bedrooms (down from 15 to five), but include formal living and dining areas that open to a private courtyard garden, a media room, and a separate study and meeting room.

The three-storey residence will include basement garaging for nine cars.

The residence backs onto a mechanics workshop also owned by the church that is slated to be converted into a function hall and meeting room accessible from the Archbishop’s residence.

The double block has been owned by the church since 1846 when it was part of a 40-acre (16-hectare) land grant.