This early terrace was built by Samuel Amess and Alexander McLaren, both building contractors. Their partnership broke up soon after. In 1864 Amess was elected to the Melbourne City Council and was mayor 1869-1871. Amess Street in Carlton is named after him. The Argus of 14 November 1854 advertised the terrace for sale, Each house contains five rooms, a hall, kitchen, servants' bedroom, and a handsome verandah. Prospective purchasers were requested to apply to’ Mr. G. BLACK, builder, 228 Little Collins street east; or to Mr. HARPER, on the premises’. This is confusing as it implies that G Black was the builder, and perhaps he acted in some sub-contracting role. As a result No 10 was sold but the ownership of the other houses is uncertain. According to the Rate Books Nos 2, 6 and 8 remained in the ownership of Amess while No 4 is under string of different names, yet by 1880 all four were owned by Samuel Amess. Amess died in 1898 but the houses do not appear in the inventory of his substantial assets. At some point John Amess, his son, became the owner and the houses were still in the name of his executors in 1935. Early tenants were James Simpson, Commissioner of Lands, after whom Simpson Street is named; and Leonard Terry, architect of many East Melbourne buildings, including Braemar, 178 George Street.