East Melbourne, Grey Street 042, Nirvana

The house was built for James Peel Browne, livery stable keeper, cab proprietor and coachbuilder. Adjacent stables housed his horses and cabs. Browne's son, also James Peel Browne, lived with his father, and later so too did his wife, Catherine, and young daughter. Confusingly both father and son died in 1905 and the property fell to Catherine. Catherine's daughter had married a Mr. Hunt and the Hunt family became the next owners of the property. They continued to run the business until 1913 when they leased out the old stables which then become a garage. In 1926 the Argus reported a serious fire at the garage "SIXTEEN CARS DAMAGED. FIRE IN GARAGE. Outbreak in East Melbourne, Within 15 minutes yesterday afternoon 16 "motor cars were severely damaged by fire at Mr. J.C. Leahy’s garage in Grey Street, East Melbourne, The damage is estimated at £2,000 Called by street alarm, the brigade was quickly at the garage, and found that the flames were confined inside the building. They had, it is believed, broken out in the front portion, which comprises the office, and had then spread along the ceiling. The cars – some of which were undergoing repair – were all old models. Being packed closely together in two rows, they were quickly ignited, and were all severely damaged. Two loads of water sufficed to check the flames, one being taken through the front door, which was forced open Only slight damage was done to the building, a one storied wood and brick structure, with a low roof. Several minor expolosions were caused by the ignition of petrol in the tanks of the cars. The owner of the garage, Mr. A. Hunt, who lives next door, had leased the garage to a city firm, which sublet it to Mr. Leahy. Some of the cars were owned by residents of East Melbourne. The damage to the building is covered by insurance." The property remained in the ownership of the Hunt family until 1971. In 1973 new owners applied to demolish the house and stables and build eighteen flats in a three storey building with basement car park. After protracted negotiations the house was saved. The stables were demolished and replaced with townhouses designed by architect Graeme Gunn, and completed in 1976. Browne also built and owned the stables (The Workshop)at 28 Darling Street