East Melbourne, Powlett Street 141

Red brick, two storey building. Facades to Grey Street and Powlett Street are similar in importance to accomodate the corner postion. The facades are broken with an unusual mixture of windows, some arched, some rectangular and two oriel.  The latter no doubt designed with maximising the view of the park and hills beyond.

No 141 Powlett Street was built as two self-contained flats, one above the other. The builder was Walter Benjamin Plaisted and the owner was Thomas Young Harkness.  

Plaisted was a business man as much as a builder.  In the early 1900s under the name of Garrett & Plaisted he was a partner in a firm supplying ‘timber and general builders' ironmongery’.  Later, in the 1920s, along with his sons, he set up another company known as ‘Automatic Heating Appliances Pty. Ltd., ironmongers and general engineers’. One of his sons, Arthur William Plaisted, became a well-known architect and may have had some input into the design of 141 Powlett Street.

Thomas Harkness, was a well-known boot and shoe manufacturer and considered one of the leaders of the industry.  Harkness and his wife, Mary Ann, lived at 141 Powlett Street from its completion until their deaths, his in 1931 and hers in 1946. 

On the occasion of his death his employees inserted a notice in The Age, ‘The staff and employees regret and mourn the passing of their beloved employer, Mr. Thos. Young Harkness, whose high principle, justness, kindly thought and unfailing courtesy endeared and enshrined him in the hearts of all. Our chief - one of God's good men.’

Harkness had previous association in the area as the person for whom the house at 57 Agnes Street, Jolimont, was built. In 1937 Mary bought 167 and 169 Simpson Street and retained them until her death in 1946.

In 1953 the flats were advertised for sale, ‘Two-storied Brick Building with Two Self-contained Flats (6 rooms each); Gas; H.W.S.; Garage and Garden.’ And again in 1964, ‘DELIGHTFUL PAIR OF FLATS with pleasant outlook across park and extensive view from upper flat.  Both contain 7 main rooms, white tile bathroom. GHWS, sep. WC, laundry &c.  Vacant possession of upper flat, lower flat returning £764.8.0 per annum. Small attractive garden.’

In 1980 Winston Burchett, author of East Melbourne 1937-1977 People Places and Problems,  (1978) moved, with his wife, from his large house in Gipps Street to this more manageable premises.