[1] In the 1830s the whole area from Potts Point to Kings Cross and up to Oxford Street was known as Darlinghurst- probably named in honour of Governor Ralph Darling (1824–31)'s wife, Eliza.

The rocky ridge that extended inland from Potts Point was called Eastern or Woolloomooloo Hill from the early days of white settlement.

The ridge of Woolloomooloo Hill beckoned, offering proximity to town and incomparable views from the Blue Mountains to the heads of Sydney Harbour.

[1] The private residences that were built on the grants were required to meet Darling's so-called "villa conditions" which were possibly determined and overseen by his wife, who had architectural skills.

These ensured that only one residence was built on each grant to an approved standard and design, that they were each set within a generous amount of landscaped land and that, in most cases, they faced the town.

By the mid-1830s the parade of "white" villas down the spine of Woolloomooloo Hill presented a picturesque sight, and was visible from the harbour and town of Sydney.

A c. 1840 painting (artist unknown: Sempill House, Sydney, NSW, State Library) shows it with extensive gardens including a carriage loop, shrubberies and Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria excelsa).

[1] In the 1920s and 1930s, the original villas and the later grand 19th century residences were demolished to make way for blocks of flats, hotels and later, soaring towers of units.

Sempill entered into an arrangement with Verge for 'Plans, Specifications and Agreements for altering and completing (the) house at Wooloomooloo (sic late Busby's) and Superintending Works of the same'.

Moreover, in obeying fashionable domain, and external offices for stables and domestic economy'; its respectable distance from the growing town of Sydney; and its pleasurable recreational and even, perhaps, instructive environment, Rockwall was one of the first examples in a long tradition of colonial villa architecture (and landscape design) which reflected changing taste in England during the 1820s.

[1] In the 1870s, heavy land taxes imposed by the administration of the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes, led to another wave of subdivisions of the original grants.

[1] In 1957 it was converted into the Rockwall Private Hotel and major renovations that year saw construction of a new foyer, replacement en masse of the windows and doors, removal of cedar joinery and fireplaces.

[1] Rockwall was finally classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) on 14 December 1979, 142 years after Ryder put it and its subdivided grounds up for auction.

Though dilapidated and long-deprived of its subdivided gardenesque setting, it stands as a most significant example of both the pre-Victorian colonial villa and of the translation of European taste into the Antipodes.

Stuccoed brick construction of five bays with encircling verandah at ground floor, broken by Doric columned porches on the east and west sides.

Lower area with own entrance is a series of sandstone block rooms, with servants' kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, wine cellar and "dungeon".

A c. 1840 painting shows it with extensive gardens including a carriage loop, shrubberies and Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria excelsa).

These ensured that only one residence was built on each grant to an approved standard and design, that they were each set within a generous amount of landscaped land and that, in most cases, they faced the town.

[3][1] Despite subdivision and encroachment, particularly by two high rise buildings on its immediate eastern and south-eastern boundary, and nearby School complex to its north-west and other terrace housing to its south-west, Rockwall remains amongst the few surviving of the many villas which once dotted Potts Point.