Labassa Mansion

Labassa Mansion is a rare surviving example of nineteenth-century grandeur, with an exuberant high Victorian interior and a history that extends well beyond its original life as a private home. The house was remodelled in 1889 in the French Second Empire style by German-born architect John A. B. Koch for owner Alexander William Robertson, becoming a 35-room mansion with views across Port Phillip Bay. Today, its ornamental details remain the main attraction, including Japanese wallpapers, stained glass and a rare trompe l’oeil ceiling.

The building’s story is as layered as its decoration. After its years as a mansion, Labassa was divided into flats in the 1920s and continued as a tenement until 1980. More than 700 people have lived there, including post-war European immigrant families, socialites, war heroes, Jewish refugees, artists and bohemian residents. A silent movie star also called Labassa home. The ongoing Labassa Lives research project explores these changing communities, giving visitors a chance to look beyond the architecture and consider the many lives connected to the property.

On open days, visitors can choose between guided and self-guided experiences. Tours cover the interior, exterior and the house’s occupants, while small groups can climb the tower. The tower’s narrow, steep steps mean sensible shoes are recommended, and groups are limited to 12 people. Young visitors can make their own activity of spotting the non-human “critters” around the mansion, making the visit a practical option for families as well as adults interested in heritage and social history. A tea room operates during open days, and the property also offers group bookings, volunteering opportunities and venue hire for weddings, photography and filming.

Labassa is regularly open on the third Sunday of each month, excluding December, from 10.30am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.30pm. Pre-booking is essential, and guided tours run throughout the day. The mansion is in Caulfield North, Melbourne, at 2 Manor Grove; parking is not permitted on Manor Grove. With its richly decorated rooms, atmospheric tower and unusually detailed record of changing city life, Labassa suits a planned heritage visit, whether you are exploring independently, joining a tour or bringing a family group.