Cyril Christian Ruwald (1895-1959) was one of several architects who designed hotels for Tooth & Co during the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Redfern, Sydney, Ruwald attended Sydney Technical College and was indentured to the architects Waterhouse and Lake. In 1917 Ruwald enlisted in the Field Artillery Brigade and sailed for France, where he served during 1918.

During the 1920s Ruwald worked with Reg Prevost, a noted patron of young architects including Sydney Ancher, before spending time in Europe during the 1930s Depression. On his return Ruwald established his own practice and was instrumental in adapting the streamlined horizontal look of European modernism to hotel design. His Cross Keys Hotel, Newcastle set the pattern for many others including the Canterbury, Vauxhall, Woollahra and Premier hotels. The Beach Hotel, Merewether is perhaps the most intact of Ruwald's numerous 'modern' hotels. Ruwald also designed the Greengate (Killara) and Bull and Bush (Baulkham Hills) hotels, notable exercises in historic pastiche.

As well as hotels, Ruwald's practice encompassed apartment buildings (notably Selsdon, Macleay Street, Potts Point), banks (for the Bank of NSW) and numerous residences. A champion golfer, Ruwald designed club houses for Cammeray Golf Club and other sporting clubs. He also designed alternations to two significant Sydney buildings: the City Mutual Building, Hunter Street and the former Grand Central Hotel, York Street.

Pencil drawing, block plan sketch. Residence (C E F McKay), Pymble. 25/11/40

Made: 1940

90/317-774/1

1940

756 mm

1080 mm