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Place

East Melbourne, Powlett Street 175, Craigielea

East Melbourne

  • 175 Powlett Street

Building names

Date built
1871
Builder
Downie & Sturgess, 9 Cobden Street, Hotham
First owner
Henry John Bunney

Description

A substantial two storey terraced dwelling with two storey cast iron verandah executed in ruled render with mouldings to parapet and party walls

History

Built for Henry John Bunney and completed in 1871. An early photo gives the date 1871 in the cartouche above the parapet. This has since been replaced with one that gives no date and was perhaps done in order to make the house seem less old. Bunney and family remained in the house until c.1884. Bunney called the house Wharlton House. When it was sold as part of the estate of Charles Richardson in 1899 it had been renamed Craigielea. In 1903 builder, T.G. Redmond made application to build a 'motor car house' for S.W.A. Darby. Winston Burchett believes this to be the earliest such application made to the Melbourne City Council. The house was sold again in 1914 as part of the estate of Mrs. Abigail Capua. It was described at the time as "TWO-STORY BRICK RESIDENCE, with verandah and balcony, containing hall. 10 rooms, bathroom, pantries, &c. The outbuildings comprise laundry (fitted with troughs and copper), brick motor garage, with doors opening on to a right-of-way. This property is situated ONE DOOR FROM ALBERT STREET, and opposite the reserve."

Owners and occupiers

1871-1884: Henry John Bunney
1899c.: Charles Richardson, owner of Globe Hotel, Woods Point, died 1899.
1901c.: Alfred Hughes, clerk, died 1901.
1903c.: S.W.A. Darby. In 1913 Darby took part in an Automobile Club hill-climbing contest at Wheeler's Hill, driving a 12 h.p. Star.
1914c.: Mrs. Abigail Capua, widow of Mark Capua who died 1888. She died 1914.

Sources

Burchett Index. City of Melbourne, Notices of Intent to Build: 21 Oct 1870, Reg. No. 4176
Burchett card see URL below
Argus, 20 May 1899, p.2; 7 Sep 1901, p.9; 16 Sep 1913, p.7; 22 Apr 1914, p.2

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