Cairnsfoot

Cairnsfoot is a two-story Victorian Italianate building located at Loftus Street in Turrella, distinguished by its gabled roof covered in slate tiles. The property retains its original outbuildings and gardens planted with Norfolk Island pines and evergreen magnolias dating from when it was first built.

Edward Manicome Farleigh, an Irish immigrant who ran a leather merchant business, built this residence for his family between 1880 and 1884. In 1959 it was converted into a specialized school, marking a significant change in how the building served the local community.

The villa served as a specialized school for children with disabilities starting in 1959, reflecting how the community adapted historic buildings for social needs. This change shaped the area and shows the building's role in local life beyond its original family home.

The building can be viewed from the street in a well-established residential neighborhood with good accessibility. The surrounding area offers ample street parking and is easy to explore on foot.

The garden retains its elaborate designs from the 1880s, documented through photographs taken between 1943 and 1947. These historical images help visitors understand what the original landscaping looked like during its early decades.