An early resident of St Kilda, William Wilkinson Wardell was a prominent architect and public servant, born at Poplar, London, in 1823.
He arrived in Melbourne from England in 1858, becoming the first Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects to practice in Australia.
Shortly after their arrival, Wardell and his family became the first residents of the early mansion, Dulquhurn, on Dandenong Road at St Kilda East. The house is still in existence, but now forms part of the Ardoch apartment development, which comprises the former Dulquhurn, and other buildings constructed in the 1920's, 1930's and 1990's. At one stage in the 1970's and 80's it was the home of Ardoch High School.
On 7 March 1859 Wardell was appointed inspecting clerk of works for Victoria, and was promoted to Inspector-General of Works in 1861, making him responsible for the construction of all public buildings in the state. These included Government House, the Royal Mint, the Treasury, the General Post Office, and Customs House.
But his private practice led to his most outstanding work, including St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, and later St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. He also designed St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart, but it had to be demolished due to faulty foundations, the responsibility of a local builder!
Closer to home, Wardell also designed his largest parish church, St Ignatius at Richmond in Melbourne, and his own local church, St Mary’s on Dandenong Road at St Kilda East, adjacent to Ardoch. His likeness can be found depicted in a stained-glass window at the west end of the south aisle of St Marys church. It was donated during a restoration of the church in 1984, by his granddaughter Teresa Mary Wardell who was a leading figure in catholic social welfare provision in Melbourne during the mid-20th century.
Wardell died in Sydney, on 19th November 1899.