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Linden (Extant) 26 Acland Street

Home of Moritz Michaelis 1872
Donald MacDonald, SLV Pictures




2 Robe Street
St Kilda,Victoria
Australia 3182
  • Date Built: 1870
  • Demolished: Extant
  • Architects:

     1. Argus 1865.12.1 p.2 Sales by Auction:This day, public notice that the sale of that very enviable square of central village building land adjoining the residence of Hon. B. Williams MLC situate at the corner of Acland and Robe streets and opposite the property T. Jackson. [description of the 9 sites follow].

    2. Argus 1870.5.16 p.3 Tenders Mr Kursteiner, architect, Neave's Buildings,requires tenders for erecting villa residence, corner Acland and Robe streets, St Kilda.
  • Owners and occupiers:

    7-.12 -1842Original allottment Crown Allotment 9, purchased by Dr Thomas Black at the first St Kilda Crown Land sale on

    1-12-1865 It was further subdivided into 9 allotments by a later owner William Hoffman and offered for auction.

    1870 these 9 sites had been purchased by Moritz Michaelis who commissioned Alfred Kursteiner to design him a new house which he called Linden or 'Lime Tree' in German. The extensive garden was reputedly designed by William Guilfoyle. The house remained in the Michaelis family for the next 87 years.

    In 1957 it was sold to Mr & Mrs Witty who converted it to an exclusive private hotel 'Linden Court'

    In 1959 it was sold to Mr& Mrs Van Veenendaal who continued to run it as a private hotel. The gardens were sold off for flat development. The building continued as a private hotel/rooming house until it was purchased by the City of St Kilda in 1983. 

    Since 1984 the building has been used as a Council funded art gallery.

    For a more extended history see Richard Peterson, A Place of Sensuous Resort, chapter 8
  • History:

    The mansion was purchased in 1983 by the St Kilda City Council, now part of the City of Port Phillip, and extensive renovations were undertaken to improve the facility for the community. Linden opened to the public as an art gallery in 1986. In late 2017 to 2018, the City of Port Phillip supported another significant upgrade to the facility and as a result a stunning new entry foyer and additional exhibition spaces were built. Designed by Michael Taylor Architecture & Heritage, the large two storey glass box that links the old and new parts of the building was inspired by glass panels found in the Linden Project Space. Today, the heritage-listed building is a free entry public art gallery and a significant cultural destination in St Kilda.
  • Sources:

    Obituaries Australia Entry http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/michaelis-moritz-4194 MMDB Entry 1034
  • Compiled by: To come