The house first appears in the 1873 rate books and is described as having nine rooms, although the following year the description changes to eight and remains at eight until 1888 when the number jumps to thirteen, and jumps again the following year to seventeen. By this time the house was owned by J. Condell. The Condells never lived in the house and throughout their ownership it was occupied by G.N. Turner. From 1890 to 1896 Thomas Anthony became the owner and occupier. After this date it is probable that the house became a boarding house as the occupants change annually until 1912 when Dr. David Officer remained as an occupier for three years.

The first owner, W. Vallange Condell, was the son of Melbourne's first mayor, Henry Condell.