A single-storey, double-fronted, rendered nineteenth century villa with a hipped slate roof. Timber-framed double-hung sash windows flank the central entrance, which has narrow sidelights. A verandah extends across the facade between wing walls, supported on timber posts and embellished with cast iron lacework. There are two rendered chimneys with rendered moulded caps. The cast iron palisade fence is recent. [From i-Heritage Database]
The house first appears in the Rate Books as a five room brick house on a 33' by 120' allotment. It was owned by George Dean, who initially rented it to John Pitts. A number of short term tenanats followed. George Dean owned the house until his death in 1923. The sale notice in the Argus that year gives the house's name as Roseville.
Owner 1866-1923: George Dean. George Dean was co-founder of Wm & Geo Dean Pty. Ltd., suppliers of artists' materials, first established in 1854. The firm must be one of Melbourne's oldest still surviving under its original name. Occupiers: 1867-1869: John Pitts 1870: G McCartney 1871-1876: David Freeman, collector 1877-1880: Charles Short 1881+: H Smith, J Blogg, William Barnsley 1885: D W Ramsay 1886-1888: D Waterston 1890: D A McDonald
Burchett Index, City of Melbourne Notices of Intent to Build, 14 Sept 1866, Reg. No. 1655 City of Melbourne Rate Books, Latrobe Ward, 1867, No. 1476 (earliest entry) City of Melbourne i-Heritage Database: https://ex.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=81&pa=2030&pg=1966 Argus, 23 April 1875, Inquests; 25 August 1923, p.28 Will of George Dean, 183/056, PROV: VPRS 7591, P0002, 656
