This is a two storey red brick house with pebble dash to gable forming an attic storey. The roof is steeply pitched and tiled with terracotta, with tall chimneys and a dormer window. The two bay windows have three multi paned leadlit sashes. The garden form and paving are intact.[i-Heritage]
The chimneys bear swastika decorations. The swastika is an ancient symbol of good fortune used in Indian religions.
The first owner of the home was Frederick John Andrew, hardware merchant. He died in 1932. During his time the house was called Yarra Yarra but real estate advertisements show that the name had been changed to The Villa Virginia by at least 1934. At this time the house was being rented as bed-sits, including a detached brick room at the rear.
Frederick John Andrew and family: 1916-1932
Burchett Index. City of Melbourne Intents to Build: 4 Dec 1915, Ref. No. 5912
Obituary of F J Andrew: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/cite/516747/4503627
Hints on Building by Sloan & Goss: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/158940