Recent refurbishment of the Council Room doors at 145 Macquarie St. revealed an interesting find beneath the floorboards. The doors were removed in December, 2024 and the patented spring return mechanism, which is housed under the flooring, sent to Adelaide for attention.

The doors were originally installed by John Adams as part of the renovation undertaken by the College after it purchased the building in 1937. Adams had started a machine shop in Paddington, which then moved to Canley Vale to become engineering works. His firm, John Adams and Son, placed a world patent on a door re-closing device, which was subsequently used in many public buildings in Sydney and beyond. Instructions for the mechanism, unveiled below a steel plate, inform the need to "pour in sufficient lubricating oil to cover the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder." The mechanism has worked well for over 85 years, but a trip to Adelaide was necessitated due to the dwindling number of craftsmen who work on heritage mechanisms.

The College has a proud history of maintaining 145 Macquarie St. When first purchased in 1937, 145 was renovated by means of a grant provided by the New South Wales state goverment. The Government Architect, Cobden Parkes oversaw the project, and interior decorator Cecily Gunz consulted on the design of the formal rooms: The Council Room, the Reception Room (now the Edward Ford Room) and the Secretary's Office (now the Fellows Room).

An example of the design in vogue of that period was in the Council Room and original library space:

"where chair coverings were in tones of blue and primrose, the carpets were a warm cinnamon tint, the curtains of Italian damask in greyish-green colour, and the ceiling painted a light green colour"

Changes to the building included the addition of the Stawell Hall (named after the first President of the Association of Physicians, Sir Richard Stawell) at the rear of the building. The construction of this hall necessitated the demolition of the c.1848 rear brick buildings and it was built flush with Phillips Lane (where the car parking space is now located.) The hall seated 200 persons in individual theatre style seats, and was panelled in Putts pine with walnut details. Below it was a basement that allowed for storage of machinery and a hoist for the projection pit.

The renovation was so significant in its day, it made the pages of 'Art in Australia' magazine, rightly ending with the words that the College 'might well be proud of the only true period building in Macquarie Street.'