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  • Ut porttitor urna ut pretium
  • Phasellus convallis tincidunt enim.

Charnwood House (demolished) 22-24 Alma Road

The Residence of the Hon. David Moore, J.P.
McDonald, Donald (Photographer), H87.91/10.

Set high on the hill in St Kilda, Charnwood house must have had an imposing presence. Because of the size of the estate it was subdivided many times before the eventual demolition of the house. 

Built as a residence for Octavius Browne in 1851 and designed by Samuel Jackson, Charnwood House was located in one of the highest positions in St Kilda.

At one stage it was the temporary home of John Manners-Sutton, the 3rd Viscount Canterbury, who was governor of Victoria from 1866-1873.

Other Names  
Date Built  1851
Architect  Samuel Jackson
Builder  
Owners  Octavius Browne; Matthew Hervey; David Moore
Description  Built in the Renaissance Revival style and located in one of the highest positions in St Kilda.
History  Built as a residence for Octavius Browne. After later being sold to Matthew Hervey, pastoralist in 1854, the property was used as a temporary residence for John Manners-Sutton, governor. David Moore, merchant and politician later also owned this property. It was demolished in 1963.
Occupants  John Manners-Sutton
MMDB Entry

585 

6026
Obituaries Australia Entry http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/moore-david-4230

Reference/s:

Johnson, P. (2018). St Kilda’s Historic Mansions. Port Phillip Heritage Centre. https://issuu.com/copponline/docs/st_kilda_mansions_2018_exhibition_catalogue_pdf/18

 

Compiled by: Sally Moore
Last updated: 26.09.20

 


17 Charnwood Grove
St Kilda,Victoria
Australia 3182
  • First European Land Owner:

    Octavius Browne Principal of Octavius Browne & Co Shipping agents

    This is an excerpt from a book on Octavius Browne: Octavius's family was expanding fast. Adelaide and Fanny Sophia Browne were born in 1847 and 1849 respectively, followed by William Moxon in 1850, Edward Pohlman in 1852, and Gerald Brunet in 1854. All had distinguished local godparents, as befitting Octavius' new status in the community. These included the State Governor, Charles La Trobe, the First Anglican Bishop of Melbourne, Charles Perry, and a senior Judge, Edward Pohlman.

    No doubt to accommodate this increase in numbers, Octavius moved his family into larger accommodation, at Brighton, some 6 miles from Melbourne, while a magnificent house, known as Charnwood, was being built for him on elevated land at St Kilda, in what was then on the outskirts of the city. This imposing house, with a tower and classical colonnade and many acres of surrounding land, was designed by the Melbourne architect Samuel Jackson.

    Construction work began in May 1851. Work was completed at some time in 1852 or 1853, but Octavius and his family never lived in the house. By 1854, Octavius was feeling the effects of overwork on his health, and was concerned about the education of his children.

    Without much evident hesitation, he made the decision to return to England, making over his Melbourne business to his recently arrived younger brother, Edward Decimus, and to his clerk Edward Noyes. In June 1854 the house at St Kilda was sold to a wealthy early colonist, Matthew Hersey, for £30,000 (about £3m in today’s money). Although Octavius never made this house his home, the fact that he was able to commission its construction within just 5 years of his arrival in Australia, shows how swift his rise to substantial wealth had been.

    Extracted from book on Octavius Browne of which the SKHS has Chapter 2.
     
  • Architects:

    Samuel Jackson Architectural style Renaissance Revival
  • Owners and occupiers:

    Other Occupants include Matthew Hervey MLC. Edward Fanning. David Moore
  • Description:

    To come
  • Builder:

     

     
  • History:

    Melbourne Herald 1851.5.22 p.2 [Samuel Jackson invites tenders for residence & coach-house for Octavius Browne] 2. Argus 1854.4.6 p.4 The fine mansion lately built by Mr. O Browne at St Kilda, has just been sold, with 13 acres encircling it, for the sum of £30,000. Matthew Hervey, MLC is the purchaser 3. Argus 1854.8.14 p.7 Preliminary Notice [for sale of subdivision of house and allotments along High Street] 4. Argus 1866.8.28 p.2 Sale by Auction Monday September 2, Charnwood house standing on 13 acres of land [extensive description follows]