The Construction & Original Identity: 'Milton' (c. 1888)
The original name: Like many grand homes of its era, it had a title. It was originally named “Milton.”
Original layout: In historical newspaper archives from 1934, “Milton” was described as a premier private two-storey residence (spanning three storeys at the rear) built of brick on stone with a slate roof. It boasted a grand reception hall, a library, two massive double rooms, a dining room, five bedrooms on the first floor, and an underground cellar/laundry space.
The Shift to a Boarding House & Flats
The early spark (1924): The property first pivoted toward multi-occupancy in April 1924, when it was listed in the papers for £1,750 and explicitly pitched as a prime opportunity for a “boarding house, or subdivision into small flats.”
The official conversion (1942): According to historical real estate records, the mansion was formally and structurally converted into 10 separate apartments and studios in 1942 to accommodate the surging demand for housing in Sydney during World War II.
The “Flatette” era (1952): By May 1952, newspaper records officially categorised No. 29 as a “well-positioned flatette investment,” noting its lucrative location between Railway and Palace Streets.
Ownership & Transaction History
- 1888–1930s: Held by affluent private owners as a standalone family manor.
- 1942: Conversion to a residential flat building for soldiers.
- 2014 Sale: After decades operating as a traditional flat block, the property was sold on 19 July 2014.
- 2026 Sale: The property recently changed hands on 17 February 2026, sold by the team at Harris Tripp (Summer Hill).
Council Records & Architecture Today
Local government: Inner West Council.
Legal description: Lot 1, DP548493.
Heritage status: The property is protected by a local heritage overlay and sits directly within the Petersham North Heritage Conservation Area. Because of this, its defining Victorian features — such as the soaring ornate ceilings, plaster roses, arched hallways, tessellated tiles, and marble fireplaces — must legally be preserved.
Current configuration: The modern iteration of the building has been completely modernised internally. It features 12 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and 3 off-street car spaces distributed across four levels including a very large wine cellar and servant’s laundry. The layout consists of two studio apartments, seven one-bedroom apartments, a lower ground floor laundry, a large 4-room wine cellar, and a top-floor 3-bedroom residence that enjoys an exclusive rooftop terrace.