From mansion to flats, Labassa has survived with its Victorian era decoration intact
Labassa is an outstanding Victorian-era mansion with opulent architectural features. Originally called ‘Sylliott Hill’, it was renamed ‘Ontario’ in the 1880s reflecting its new owner Alexander William Robertson’s Canadian heritage. He had the mansion redeveloped in the French Second Empire style by commissioning the German-born architect, John A. B. Koch, who remodelled the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The interior features gilt embossed wallpapers, ornate stained glass and a rare trompe l’oeil ceiling.
Renamed Labassa in 1904 it was home to Melbourne’s elite until 1920 when it was divided into flats. The residents included Hollywood’s first Australian silent film star and other colourful bohemians. Labassa is the most lavish of the few surviving nineteenth-century mansions and the magnificently restored interiors of the main rooms impress all its visitors.
Return to Labassa
A reunion of more than 135 former residents, owners and their descendants in 2013 led to an ongoing research project into Labassa’s remarkable lived history over 143 years.
From 1862-1920 Labassa was the residence of a succession of enterprising and prosperous families. Following those boom years it was divided into flats and became home to successive waves of residents of more modest means including socialites, world war heroes, Jewish refugees and bohemian artists.
Follow the different stories and course of the latest research through the Labassa Lives Journal written and compiled by historian Vicki Shuttleworth.
The Real Gold Diggers of Labassa
Friday 29 September 2023, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Did you know that the recent ABC Series Gold Diggers was partly filmed at Labassa? In this one-off event, come and learn about the Real Gold Diggers of Labassa.
Labassa Mansion was built on gold. Some residents made their fortune with a pick and shovel; others like Cobb & Co. owner Mr Robertson amassed millions through farsighted opportunism. Hear the stories of Labassa’s ‘gold diggers’ – the opportunists, entrepreneurs, fraudsters and big spenders. This special evening begins with refreshments at 6.30pm followed by a talk and guided house tour. See how gold transformed a once modest villa into one of Australia’s most lavishly decorated mansions.
Labassa Open Day: Springtime at Labassa
Sunday 15 October
Experience the complex richness of Labassa’s architectural and human history. Although more than 700 people have lived at Labassa, it has miraculously survived with most of its opulent Victorian era decoration intact.
Plus this month only, guided garden tours of Labassa’s renewed garden conducted by landscape architect Elizabeth Peck: 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm
Labassa is open 10:30am to 4pm with last entry at 3:30pm. Pre-purchasing your ticket online is highly recommended.
Guided house tours on the hour from 11am to 3pm and tearoom available. The tower will be open with a limit of 12 people per tour group. Due to the tower’s narrow, steep steps visitors are advised to wear sensible shoes.
Join us for a guided tour or opt for a self-guided tour.
Guided Tour Times:
11am – Interior House Tour
11:30am – Garden Tour
12pm – ‘Who’s been living in this house?’ Tour (Note: this tour goes upstairs)
1pm – Garden Tour
2pm – Interior House Tour
2:30pm – Garden Tour
3pm- Interior House Tour
Tower tours: 10:45am, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm (Limit of 12 people per tour).
Tea room available: 10.30am – 3.30pm.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your intended guided tour time. Capacity will be monitored on the day.
Pre-bookings are highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Walk up availability is subject to the numbers already in the house.
