Architects:
Ascribed to J A B Koch by the Melbourne Mansions Databse due to the matching cast iron as seen on 6 Moule Street Brighton designed by Koch in 1889.
Owners and occupiers:
William Johnson, John Hore, Peter Wilson, Stanley Hobart Wilson
Description:
Bay-windowed, two storey eleven-room rendered brick Italiante style house with unusual cast-iron on the south-facing balcony. The large billards-ballroom is attached in the northwest corner. Real Estate photos from 2020 show an interior with large rooms, a wide hall with elaborate plasterwork and tessalated tiled floor leading to a grand stair. The formal dining room features polished timber joinery, a double door leading to the billards room, and a large Queen Anne style fireplace and overmantel. There are Queen Anne style stained glass windows throughout.
History:
The mansion, originally called Farncombe, was built for Shepparton based solicitor William Johnson in 1889-90 on two blocks of land previously owned by George Pilley and W Eckersley. Farncombe, Surrey was Johnson’s birthplace. The Johnson family were living there by July 1890 as Melbourne Punch newspaper reported that William Johnson's small daughter Gladys Johnson of 'Farncombe' Brighton Road, had met with her friends at the house prior to a visit to the zoo. Upon moving to South St Kilda, as it was, Johnson established a legal practise at Ludstone Chambers in Collins Street. Also located at Ludstone Chambers was the distinguished legal firm Smith and Emmerton and from 1890 to 1893, it was known as Smith, Emmerton and Johnson.
Perhaps Johnson was impacted by the 1890s financial crash because in February 1894, the splendid, 11 room, two storey residence with bay views was advertised for sale along with all the furniture and contents. In addition to drawing, morning and dining rooms it featured a ballroom cum billiard room. Outside was Johnson’s private bowling green.
Property investor John Hore purchased Farncombe in 1894, and renamed in Braod Hinton. Following Hore’s death in October 1895, his executors advertised eight property lots for sale in the inner south-east, comprising this house and many shops, cottages and mansions. They were unable to sell Farncombe until 1899 when it was purchased by the tenant, solicitor Peter Wilson. Members of the Wilson family occupied the house until the late 1950s.
The former large garden area has since been subdivided for three houses and a block of flats.
Sources:
Trove Newspapers - trove.nla.gov.au
Sands and McDougall Directories - slv.vic.gov.au
St Kilda Rate Books
Ancestry - ancestry.com.au
Miles Lewis Mansions Database entry 10 https://mmdb.app.unimelb.edu.au/record-detail/10
Ad for Governess at Broad Hinton, 16 July 1895.
