Wardlow, Parkville, Melbourne

Wardlow is a mansion built in 1888 in Parkville with Renaissance Revival style architecture. The building features cast iron decorations, tessellated pavements, and a prominent tower positioned above the entrance, topped with decorative urns.

John Boyes, who owned the Brunswick Iron Foundry, commissioned builder CC Fewster to construct this residence in 1888 as part of a larger residential development in Parkville. The house was built during a time when the area was expanding with homes for wealthy families.

The interior design shows how wealthy households organized their spaces into separate rooms for men and women, each decorated in its own style. Original silk and velvet curtains, along with decorative wallpapers, reveal how people of means lived and entertained during this period.

The residence maintains its original room layout from 1888, with modern updates made to service areas while preserving historical details. Visitors can see original features such as servant bells and decorative wallpapers that reflect the house as it was used then.

This property served as the filming location for the exterior shots of Phryne Fisher's residence in the television series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. The connection to the popular show has introduced the house to audiences beyond those interested in architectural history.