A pair of impressive Classical style terraces with a columned double level verandah, built in 1865. Each had large side gardens, both now occupied by 60s flats.
Wilgah (extant), 6-8 Burnett Street
- Date Built: 1865
- Architects:
Crouch & Wilson
- Description:
A pair of impressive Classical style terraces with a fine columned double level verandah, Doric at ground floor and Ionic above, with balustraded railing. Both had large side gardens, and the vernadah of the house to the south at no 4 continues around the south side. They both have substantial front gardens, with a cast-iron fence, with wide gates, leading to diamond patterned marble paths.
An attached block of flats was added in the 60s taking up the side garden of no 6. The side garden of no. 8 was subdvided off perhaps at the same time.
- History:
Denis Eisenstaedter, who was born in Vienna, had married in 1860, and soon after was living in Grey Street. His investment in the Alps Central gold mine paid off handsomly in the following years. He built the terrace pair of two ten-roomed residences in Burnett Street in 1864-5, living in the more expansive no. 6, which had a return verandah opening onto a large side garden.
He did not live there long however as he became over-stretched, and in August 1866 the houses were put up for sale, ads noting "Each house has gr fl - dining room 20 x 18', drwg room 20 x 18', entrance hall with marble tiles, kitchen 16 x 12', scullery, washhouse, bathroom, 2 cellars; upper fl - two bedrooms 18'x 20', 1 br 10' x 10', boudoir." The contents of his house were also auctioned, including chandeliers, gilt clocks, rosewood furniture, eight paintings by Eugene von Gerard, and his horse Peggy.
The next year his house was ocupied by James R Laing, and the adjacent terrrace by Mr Wilkins. By 1872 R. J. Jeffray Esq occupied no. 6, and there is a photograph showing the house and presumably his family. In 1877 the occupant was Samuel Brush, who named the property Wilgah. He lived there until his death, and then his son Harry, who died in 1905, 'primarily due to an accident in the hunting field'.
By 1894 no. 8 was known as Murgah (death notice for JJ Normoyle). By 1906 it was the residence of leading Melbourne architect George C Inskip (notably of Inskip & Butler), until his death c1930, and then of his three unmarried children.
By 1921, no. 6 Burnett was let as self contained flats, and known as The Osmond. An attached block of flats was added in the 60s taking up the side garden, built right next to but not damaging the south return part of the vernadah.
The garden of no. 8 appears to have been subdivded off at a similar date, and another block of flats built on the new lot, with the address of no. 10 Burnett. No. 8 has remained a single house, and sale images from 2021 show it was largely unaltered internally, featuring a wide marble floored hall with columned arches and genrerously proportioned rooms.
No. 6, inclding the attached flats, was sold in 2020, the house partially renovated and put up for sale again in 2023, but not sold.
- Gallery:
- Sources:
St Kilda Movers Shakers and Money Makers, Carmel McKenzie, 2023
Port Phillip Heritage Review citation for 6-8 Burnett St.
Melbourne Mansions Database entry 880 https://mmdb.app.unimelb.edu.au/record-detail/880
- Compiled by: Rohan Storey, May 2026
