Laskey Villa
23-25 Swinton Avenue, KEW VIC 3101 - Property No B1230
Statement of Significance
The land on which 'Swinton'was later built was first purchased by John Bakewell in 1851 and later sold to Edmund Laskey Splatt in 1858. Splatt was a member of the first provisional committee of the National Bank of Australia in Melbourne and built the first house on the land naming it 'Laskey Villa'. By 1863 the house was occupied by Herbert Henty. The Johnson family connection with the property began with the marriage in 1858 of Annabella Johnson to David Syme, owner of the Áge' newspaper and owner of the adjacent property 'Blytheswood'. Annabella's brother, Francis Johnson, bought the villa in 1876 and renamed it 'Swinton' after his birthplace in Yorkshire. The property was later owned by the artistic Colquhoun family.
The house is one of the earliest examples of the Italianate style in Victoria - the outstanding element being the tower with its cantilevered walkway and heavily bracketed pryamidal tower.
Classified: 20/07/1961
Classified: Local: 03/08/1998
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FORMER GROSVENOR COMMON SCHOOL
Victorian Heritage Register H0654 -
FORMER BRIDGE HOTEL
Victorian Heritage Register H0449
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THE HAWTHORNS
Victorian Heritage Register H0457
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