Sir Austin Chapman (1864-1926) was an important participant in the push for Federation. He was a delegate to the 1890 Federation Conference in Melbourne; was elected to the first Parliament as member for Eden-Monaro and remained a member to the end of his life. He was minister for Defence and for Health at different times and was also Post Master General. He has been referred to as the Father of Canberra for his influence in moving parliament from Melbourne to Canberra. He was a native of NSW but as a member of parliament had to spend a great deal of time in Melbourne.

The houses were originally built as self contained flats, making them amongst the earliest in Melbourne. They were built on part of the land originally reserved as the site of the future Church of England cathedral.

Two years later Chapman built another pair of matching houses, although slightly narrower, next door, making a terrace of four. The later two, Nos 64-66, were demolished to make way for the high rise Cliveden apartments.

In 1979 the properties were owned by Dr. J.W. Newman. Currently they are known as Vizard House and provide accommodation for families of patients attending the nearby Peter McCallum Hospital.

Prior to demolitions Nos 64-66 had been the subject of a makeover and they can be seen at the right of the photo. A newspaper article reporting on the proposed renovation appeared in The Age in 1961, see link below.