56 Albany Street

This house, known as 'The Gothic House' was not built until 1860. In 1819, the block of land at the North East end of Albany Street was bought by a congregation that had split from St Mary’s Parish Church in Bellevue Crescent, as the site for a new church. However, it was 40 years before St Mary's church was built. Number 56 was built at the same time and, as it was designed by the church’s architect, Rochead, also was designed in the Gothic style. It is not clear if the church planned to use the house as its manse but decided to sell it to recoup some of the cost of building the church, or it was always planned to be a house for sale. Whatever the reason, in October 1860, before the church was finally completed, an advert appeared: ‘The New Gothic House, No.56, at the reduced Upset Price of £1,700. This house contains all the latest modern improvements and is now ready for occupation.’

1861 – 1863 John and Mary Smith

Partner in Philpott and Smith, auctioneers

1863 – 1875 Colonel John James Hamilton and Major-General Walter Hamilton CB

Army officers

1876 – 1906 Charles Bertram, Jane Dickson & Isabella Bertram

Brother and two sisters (one a widow), all in their 70s.

Click here for information on residents of Number 56.

For information on twentieth century residents Click here.