East Melbourne mansion that was built for the publican of the Young and Jackson hotel is for sale
A grand East Melbourne mansion with links to one of the city’s most famous publicans is on the market with a price guide of $7.3 million.
Eblana, at 140-142 Jolimont Road, East Melbourne, is an Italianate-style terrace that was built in the 1800s as a residence for Thomas Jackson, best known as the publican of the famous Young and Jackson’s hotel, which still sits at the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets opposite Flinders Street Station.
According to Victorian heritage archives, the Young and Jackson’s Princes Bridge Hotel is “one of Melbourne’s oldest, most important and successful 19th-century hotels”.
Jackson’s residence was originally built over two-storeys with tiled balcony and hall, vaulted timber ceilings, leadlight windows and horse stables with access from Jolimont Lane, with a single-storey extension later added to fit a billiard table.
The property was sold in 1925 to the Commonwealth of Australia following the death of Jackson’s widow.
It was used as the head office of the postmaster general for a period of time with Domain Group records showing it then changed hands several times during the 1980s and 1990s.
The current vendors bought it in 1997 and subsequently conducted refurbishments.
When originally completed, the property could look over the historic East Melbourne Cricket Ground and, in the other direction, across to Young and Jacksons Hotel.
Listing agent Jozef Dickinson, of Colliers International, said the property, which is zoned Commercial 1, had most recently been used as a home but could be transformed into an office or multi-level apartment development, subject to council approval.
“We’re seeing a range of prospective buyers, from premium multi-unit residential developers, developers looking for a boutique commercial project, right through to buyers looking to occupy or restore the dwelling,” Mr Dickinson said.
He said they had received more than 80 inquiries from prospective buyers.
Describing the property’s East Melbourne location as being in the “ultra-premium” end of the Melbourne market, Mr Dickinson said much of its appeal came from its imposing street presence.
“It’s an incredibly grand looking building from the street and internally it has some amazing period features,” he said.
