Built in March 1902 the house was designed by Herbert Baker for himself and members of Milner’s Kindergarten. Herbert Baker (later Sir) became the most influential architect in South Africa at that time. He lived here with his wife and family until 1912. Just north of the house stood one of the blockhouses built by the British in 1900 to guard the approaches to Johannesburg. This one commanded what was then Old Pretoria Road.