East Melbourne, Albert Street 472, 476

This pair of houses, together known as Fairmount, were built in 1874 for James Garton, livery stables proprietor, by Robert Huckson to the design of architect George Browne.  

Huckson was one of Melbourne’s finest builders and much of his work still stands proud and strong today.  He arrived in Melbourne in the mid-1850s and possibly his best known achievement, the Old Treasury in Spring Street, is from this time.  He built many houses in East Melbourne including Clarendon Terrace, 208-212 Clarendon Street and the ‘Gothic’ house, 157 Hotham Street.

George Browne on the other hand was relatively new on the scene.  He first came to light in the early 1870s when he won the first of several commissions from W J T Clarke and his son, William (later Sir William).  Then George Coppins had him design the new Theatre Royale, after the old one had burnt down in 1872.

James Garton lived at No 476 (then No 41) until c.1879 when he moved to his new home, Coningsby, Jolimont Terrace (now Nos 40-42).  He had started out owning Garton’s Hotel and Stables in Swanston Street, then moved to Lt Collins Street and was finally the proprietor of the Horse and Carriage Repository in Lonsdale Street.  He could provide transport for any occasion: weddings or picnics, or a single trip.

The two houses were built as investments.  They were advertised by the room and were home to a constantly changing population.  One of the longer serving tenants was Dr Alexander Morrison who was a physician and should not be confused with Dr Alexander Morrison, the esteemed principal of Scotch College.  Morrison lived at No 472 (No 43) from 1879 until 1896. During his time there he had a notable neighbour in the person of Dr Anthony Colling Brownless, who was at No 476 c.1881 to c.1885. 

Brownless arrived in Melbourne in 1852 was quickly taken on as physician to the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum and then to the Melbourne Hospital. Most importantly on 15 June 1855 he was appointed a member of the Council of the University of Melbourne and at once devoted all his energies to the formation of a medical school.  In 1862 the school opened to three students. In 1858 he was appointed vice-chancellor of the university, and in 1887 he was made chancellor. The university Brownless Medical Library commemorates his name.  

In 1882 the stables at the rear of his property caught fire and three of his four horses were killed, and the fourth was later put down. Ironically the houses were demolished to make way for the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade building that is currently on the site.