The cottage was built in 1861 for Edward Septimus Heelis, who occupied it until 1866. He continued to own it until about 1885, when William Henry Kelly, the owner of the neighbouring houses at 37 and 39 Grey Street, bought it. From 1868 until 1872 the cottage was occupied by Chiu Ang Goon (various spellings), and from 1874 to 1875 by Louis Suhard.