The house was designed in 1922 by Harold Porter for Dr Edward Thomas Mellor who, in 1917, was a geologist with the Transvaal and Witwatersrand Geological Surveys. He published the definitive geological map of the Witwatersrand and became consulting geologist to the Rand Mines Group. Later owners include William Mc Ewan, a judge of the High Court and Joylon Nuttall of The Star. The house was extensively altered in 1999 by architect J. F. Boniface for her parents.