East Melbourne, Powlett Street 129,131,133,135, Lawson Terrace

A terrace of four two storey houses. The balconies have cast iron balustrades and friezes but posts are of turned timber and timber arches sit below the friezes.

This terrace of four houses was built for R Scott, Esq. The architect was Geo R Cox who advertised for tenders on 13 May 1867. The builder selected was W Murdoch. On 14 Oct 1867 R Scott advertised ‘HOUSES in Lawson terrace, Powlett-street, near Grey-street, seven rooms, kitchen, bath, washhouse, every convenience’.

The houses were destined to be rental properties for several decades. In May 1880 they were advertised for sale with a total rent per annum given as £360.

One of the more interesting tenants was the Misses Zwickers’ Educational Establishment which was initially at 3 Lawson Terrace (No 133) and then moved to No 2 (No 131). When it first advertised in 1887 it stated that its aim was

to combine with a sound English education a thorough practical and theoretical knowledge of German and French. Children taken from four years and upwards. Liberal terms for pupil boarders.’

It cited references from many members of the German community including Baron von Mueller.

The school advertised until 1890 and from that time the Misses Zwickers vanished from public view.

The Victorian Heritage Database says, in part, of another building designed by Cox, the former Eaglehawk East Methodist Church, that it 'is significant as one of a few surviving works by GR Cox'. Presumably the same could be said of Lawson Terrace.