The house was built for Thomas Y. Harkness. It was built on land bought from Thomas Lambert, who at the time also owned the houses next door at Nos. 53 and 55. The Rate Books to 1885 describe it as 5 rooms. In 1885 the owner and occupier was given as Mrs. Espinasse. By 1890 it was described as nine rooms and still owned and occupied by Mrs. Espinasse. In 1889 Mrs.