11 August 2025
Airlie, another one of the dozen or so mansions left in St Kilda Road/Queens Road, now of course dominated by glassy blocks behind and next to – and in fact the curvy one (called Opera) seems to point down towards it.
The house was built in 1891 for solicitor Frederick J Neave, and designed by Ankatell Henderson, with a double level arcaded verandah, and angular bays poking out on each side. After 1896 it was home to the Bruce family, and son Stanley Melbourne later went on to become Prime Minister. In 1924 it became a boarding house, then in 1951 home for the Royal District Nursing Society.
In 2010 it was restored when The Blackman was built in the back yard, now The Kinson, but I’m not sure what it’s used for now.
Storey of Melbourne 