2 May 2025
One of the dozens of #LostMelbourne mansions – Bracknell in Toorak was on a large lot between Lansell Road and Orrong. It was designed by WH Ellerker for politician and land boomer Matthew Davies in 1882; it had a tower and lots of balconies as shown in the sketch (pic3).
In 1887 at the height of the boom Davies naturally wanted it to look grander, and commissioned a do-over by Smith & Johnson, with a taller tower and elaborate arcaded double level verandahs. Davies was one of the most famous landboomers, mainly because when he was declared bankrupt in 1896 he owed £4 million (!).
Later was known as The Towers, though it only had one (well a second little one). By the 1920s subdivision reduced the land from 10 to one acre, and it was used as flats, and then demolished in 1927; hence Towers Road. Info from #melbournemansions database.
Storey of Melbourne 