Cotham Lodge, later Emilton (greatly altered?), 2 Emilton Avenue

A house known as Cotham Lodge was built on a large plot that ran through from Grey Street to Barkly Street near Gurner Street. This was built in 1851 or early 1852 as a newspaper reference from July describes it as ‘new’ (Argus 28 July 1852, p1). An auction notice for a house next door in July that year notes that it was ‘the residence of H Jennings, Esq, solicitor’, located ‘on the southern slope of the St Kilda Hill' (Argus, 27 July 1852, p 4).

A sale notice in 1862 states it was then occupied by C L Swanston (the Age, 13 Dec 1862, p 1).

In the 1867 Sands & McDougall directories, the occupant is listed as William Nimmo.

In 1872, local architect Sydney W Smith called for tenders for a house for Nimmo in Grey Street. This is likely the house shown in the 1873 Vardy maps on a lot facing Grey Street subdivided from the Cotham Lodge property, which is then given a Barkly Street  address rather than Grey Street. Both lots were owned / occupied by W Nimmo.

An auction notice in 1876 notes that property was the ‘estate of the late J Nimmo’, describing Cotham Lodge, the ‘residence of George Fairburn [sic]’, as a ‘large family residence and pleasure grounds’, that was ‘two storey brick stuccoed, entrance hall and three large reception rooms, etc on ground floor, coachouse, stables etc.’. (Argus, 14 Oct 1876, p 2). The house was then renamed Emilton, with that name used in a lease notice of later that same year, and the name appearing for a house in the same location as Cotham Lodge in later ads and maps. Cooper states that was named after George Fairbairn’s wife Emily (Cooper, History of St Kilda, I, p 254), and that he was a wine and spirit merchant.

Sands & McDougall directories show Fairbairn stayed in occupation until 1881, followed by T P Fallon, importer.

An auction notice in 1887 states ‘Instructed by T P Fallon who is leaving for Europe to sell Emilton, Barkly St, St Kilda, brick and stucco with verandah & balcony, 11 rooms, and extensive ballroom recently erected. On nearly two acres with tastefully laid out garden, lawns, fernery and shrubbery etc.’ (Argus, 22 Jan 1887, p 3.). It is not clear if the whole house was recently erected or just the ballroom.

The 1889 directory list His Hon Judge Quinlan as the occupant.

The 1898 MMBW map shows the house outline in detail – it had a wide front facing down the hill towards Grey Street, with a pair of bay windows either end, and a verandah across the front. The entry from Barkly Street led to a circular drive and an entrance porch on the side of the house facing it. There were extensive lawns and garden down to the rear of the properties facing Grey Street, and yards, stables and sheds behind the house to the north.

It was sold in 1890, and again in 1910. Emilton Avenue was created the same year, a cul-de-sac running in font of the retained house and creating lots in what was the south garden, which were soon occupied by Edwardian houses and house pairs. The mansion then had the address of 2 Emilton Avenue, and by the next year advertised rooms to let.

It was sold again in 1921, when it was described as a ‘house of 15 rooms, 2 bathrooms etc, estate of late Joseph Jacobs.’ (Sydney Arnold & Co auction leaflet 25 Oct 1921).

At some point the house was subdivided into 12 self contained flats, which is how the house is described in a sale ad in 1950, when there were also three bungalows on the property.

The site is currently occupied by a block of flats, with a 1950s style wing to the west, and a main section with Art Deco features. It is possible that this is the original (1852 or 1880s) house but greatly altered. It is in the same location, and broadly the same shape, but with an addition across the front. The ground level either side of this added section has bay windows either side as shown on the 1898 map. It also has a porch entry on the east side where the original entrance was, but in Edwardian style, with what could be a Victorian opening with fanlight, and Victorian scored lines imitating stone blocks. Some flats inside have Victorian style fireplaces.