May 2026
A very unusual almost whacky house in Union Street Richmond, a narrow side street off Bridge Road top of the hill hear Lennox. It was built c1859 for surgeon James Robertson, who may have designed it himself, or it was a builder, it doesn’t look like anything architects of the day would have come up with.
It’s heavily articulated with fat pilasters flanking every opening and also as piers forming the porch, with not quite classical Composite capitals. There’s multiple pediments too, the areas of smooth render contrasting with the rough faced bluestone walls. There’s a fashionable Italianate tower too, but out the
back, perhaps where the view was better.
For such an interesting house, there’s not much detail to the heritage listings, no old photos either.
It hasn’t sold since the 1980s I think, but looks in fine condition.
Storey of Melbourne 