East Melbourne, Simpson Street 093, Little Broomfield

In 1868 the Rate Books list G.K. Johnston as owning 'enclosed land & stables'(No. 1307). The following year, in the same position in the Rate Books, the entry is for a small brick cottage of 3 rooms 'off Simpson Street'(No.1317). The Burchett Index of Notices of Intent to Build lists G.K. Johnston giving notice that he plans to 'build two rms. & convert stable to brick rooms. The first occupier of the cottage, then numbered 10, and after 1890, 93, was Mrs. Davidson. Sarah Davidson was Johnston's step-sister. The other little cottage, numbered 10 and a half, is not listed in the Rate Books until c.1895 (No. 456), however it appears in the Sands & McDougall Directories in 1872, with Mrs. Johnston as the occupier. Mrs. Sarah Johnston was G.K. Johnston's step-mother. Johnston died in 1883 but left the cottages for the use of his step relations during their lifetime. By the 1970s the cottages had fallen into complete disrepair and had a Housing Commission order on them which listed 60 points of non-compliance. They were put up for sale in this condition and seemed certain to be demolished, but the far-sighted new owner employed architect, Geoffrey Borrack, to restore the cottages creating one residence. The work took over a year but was rewarded when the new house won the 1979 Royal Australian Institute of Architects house of the year for a renovation.