A large elegant house built in c1882 for eminent businessman Phipps Turnbull. Designed in a restrained Italiante syle, set behind a garden facing Princes Street and very close to Burnett Street, it features an arcaded porch at ground level and blind windows above.
F G Dalgety owned the original block in 1850, subdivided & auctioned 1853.
Lot 4 & then 5 bought by Phipps Turnball in 1879.
A grand house placed with a prominent section facing Princes Street freestanding on three sides, which features an inset arched porch on the ground floor on two sides, tall pedimented window hoods above, and a balustraded parapet. The house is placed on the uphill side very close to Burnett Street, with the main entrance and address from that street. There are many closely spaced windows, some of them blind, a feature rarely seen in Melbourne. The iron palisade fence is original. The interior has experienced alterations but a large spiral staircase and the front reception room are intact (Heritage Register citation).
Erected c1882 for eminent businessman Phipps Turnbull, who emigrated to Victoria in 1844, founded the firm of Robert & Phipps Turnbull & Co., general merchants and commission agents. He was chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in 1864-1866 and a director of many companies, including the Carlton Brewery.
He made further additions in the late 1880s, with a possible tender notice Argus, 12 April 1887, p 2. by architect Sydney H Wilson.
In 1890 Turnball died at his house, by now called Fleurs.
1897 S&M Jacobs, Mrs Elizabeth, 48 Burnett St
1939 Richard Harris died at Fleurs aged 82.
1955 Doris Lily Speed made it a boarding house
1977 New owners who restored the house. Sale ads note a tessellated tiled foyer, vestibule, grand curving stair, servants rooms, stair, 4 reception rooms, [?kitchen], 2 cellars, 6 bedrs, 3 bathrs, kitchenette, stores.
In 1990 it was added the Victorian Heritage Register.
Melbourne Mansions Database 1534 https://mmdb.app.unimelb.edu.au/record-detail/1534
Victorian Heritage Register FLEURS https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/1100
Phipps Turnballl death notice Argus, Friday, 26 September 1890.