ELHAY, Isaac Collection
Architecture Museum, University of South Australia
Biography
Jack Elhay (12/6/1912–24/3/2006) used his surveying skills to enhance the development of Adelaide suburban areas in the 1960s.
Elhay was born in Cairo, where he was educated and then worked as a quantity surveyor. Because of political unrest in Egypt, he and his family emigrated to Australia, settling in Adelaide in 1949. While working full time as a quantity surveyor, first for Fricker Brothers and then for Reid Murray Development, he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1956.
Until his retirement Elhay remained with Reid Murray Development, which became Realty Development Corp, becoming general manager. He was involved in the building of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the development of the suburbs of Para Hills and Modbury and the redevelopment of the City Cross Arcade in Adelaide.
Elhay could read in French, Spanish, Italian and English and enjoyed reading philosophy, psychology, music and classical literature. After he retired he gained a second Arts degree, majoring in Spanish, from Flinders University.
Sources
Collection Description
Contains a single series of material related to surveyor, Isaac Elhay. Includes colour slides of the House of the Year – designed by Dickson and Platten Architects, and display on Clovercrest suburb, 26 April 1965; a DVD of Adelaide Christmas pageant and Reid Murray Developments opening of Clovercrest suburb c.1965?; and photos of City Cross arcade under construction in Adelaide.
Access conditions to DVD apply.
Series List
| Series | Description |
| S298 | Isaac Elhay |
| S298/1 | House of the Year |
| S298/2 | DVDs |
| S298/3 | City Cross |