Cart
undefined
Islington, 168 Bellair Street, Kensington Suburban Icon Poster
from A$50.00
Standing proudly on Bellair Street, Kensington, Islington has watched over the suburb for more than 130 years. Built in 1891 for local estate agent and councillor James Wales, this elegant Victorian residence was designed by Kensington architect Edward Owen Hughes. Wales, who served as Mayor of Kensington in 1899, lived here with his family until his passing in 1923.
As the decades rolled on, Islington became home to another estate agent, later transforming into the Kensington Property Exchange, and even served briefly as an E. S. & A. Bank. The old iron bank vault still remains inside, a fascinating relic of its financial past, earning it the nickname "the old bank building" among locals.
Islington has inspired its fair share of urban legends. Some say it was once a brothel, others claim it was a seedy rooming house, and in the 1980s, a creative retreat for artists, backed by a mysterious benefactor. While the brothel claims remain unverified, one thing is certain—Islington has always been a home for reinvention.
Celebrate the rich history and character of Islington—home to real estate tycoons, bankers, creatives, and visionaries—with our latest Suburban Icons print, a tribute to a house that has truly seen it all.
This artwork is available in A0, A1, A2, A3, A4. Professional framing is available on A0, A1 and A2 sizes via pick up only.
Print Size:
Finish:
Quantity:
Standing proudly on Bellair Street, Kensington, Islington has watched over the suburb for more than 130 years. Built in 1891 for local estate agent and councillor James Wales, this elegant Victorian residence was designed by Kensington architect Edward Owen Hughes. Wales, who served as Mayor of Kensington in 1899, lived here with his family until his passing in 1923.
As the decades rolled on, Islington became home to another estate agent, later transforming into the Kensington Property Exchange, and even served briefly as an E. S. & A. Bank. The old iron bank vault still remains inside, a fascinating relic of its financial past, earning it the nickname "the old bank building" among locals.
Islington has inspired its fair share of urban legends. Some say it was once a brothel, others claim it was a seedy rooming house, and in the 1980s, a creative retreat for artists, backed by a mysterious benefactor. While the brothel claims remain unverified, one thing is certain—Islington has always been a home for reinvention.
Celebrate the rich history and character of Islington—home to real estate tycoons, bankers, creatives, and visionaries—with our latest Suburban Icons print, a tribute to a house that has truly seen it all.
This artwork is available in A0, A1, A2, A3, A4. Professional framing is available on A0, A1 and A2 sizes via pick up only.
Standing proudly on Bellair Street, Kensington, Islington has watched over the suburb for more than 130 years. Built in 1891 for local estate agent and councillor James Wales, this elegant Victorian residence was designed by Kensington architect Edward Owen Hughes. Wales, who served as Mayor of Kensington in 1899, lived here with his family until his passing in 1923.
As the decades rolled on, Islington became home to another estate agent, later transforming into the Kensington Property Exchange, and even served briefly as an E. S. & A. Bank. The old iron bank vault still remains inside, a fascinating relic of its financial past, earning it the nickname "the old bank building" among locals.
Islington has inspired its fair share of urban legends. Some say it was once a brothel, others claim it was a seedy rooming house, and in the 1980s, a creative retreat for artists, backed by a mysterious benefactor. While the brothel claims remain unverified, one thing is certain—Islington has always been a home for reinvention.
Celebrate the rich history and character of Islington—home to real estate tycoons, bankers, creatives, and visionaries—with our latest Suburban Icons print, a tribute to a house that has truly seen it all.
This artwork is available in A0, A1, A2, A3, A4. Professional framing is available on A0, A1 and A2 sizes via pick up only.
© 2025 Historic Prints / Suburban Icons, part of The Brand Garage, Melbourne. All images and intellectual property remain the property of Historic Prints. No part of this artwork may be copied, reproduced, or distributed without prior permission.