Archive for February, 2008

The Alliance Francaise have done a magnificent job of restoring their new home, Eildon mansion in Grey Street, St Kilda after they paid over $4 million to acquire the massive house. The original stables have also been preserved and are being used. Interestingly, the “front” of the building is actually the rear. The front faces a back street, originally with views over the bay. It has since been obscured by flats built over what were once grand gardens. Unfortunately the front of the building still has a carpark in front of it, although they have done a good job with the landscaping.

The house, originally designed by John Gill was built in 1850 as Barham House for Richard Twentyman Esqr, a local councillor. It was later altered and extended with two symmetrical wings to become Eildon mansion. Eildon Mansion was commissioned in 1871 by a wealthy pastoralist, John Lang Currie (1818-1898) and designed by Joseph Reed of the leading Melbourne architectural firm of Reed & Barnes.