Andrew Francis Molan owned a hotel and store in Crossley, near Tower Hill in Victoria’s west. Later he moved to Melbourne and bought a hotel in Victoria Parade, Fitzroy.  In 1910 his son, Maurice Leslie Molan married, and this seems to have been the stimulus for Andrew to buy the house at 79 Gipps Street.  Maurice and his wife, Alice Leona, moved in.  

In April 1914 the house was advertised for sale. It was described simply as ‘D.F. brick villa, with slate roof, containing 7 rooms, bathroom, sheds, &c.’  It apparently failed to sell and in June 1914 the City of Melbourne received notice that a single storey brick house was to be built on the land. The architects were Richardson and Wood.  This partnership was created in 1912 and announced as follows: 
Mr. Herbert Wood, who for some years was in charge of the architectural business of Messrs. W. H. Rocke and Co., and later of Wunderlich Limited, has entered into partnership with Mr. Frank Richardson, A.R.I.B.A. The now firm will be known as Richardson and Wood.
Frank George Wood had previously designed 194 George Street (1908); and, in collaboration with William Crook, 83 Gipps Street (1909). They accepted the tender of Frederick Davies to build the house. 

Maurice and Alice continued to live in the new house with their growing family for many years, selling it about 1942. Maurice was a traveller, and possibly spent a lot of time on the road. Mrs Molan meanwhile was president of the Catholic Ladies’ College Mothers’ Association; and, along with her neighbour, Mrs Loughnan, was an active member of the Catholic Women’s Club. 

The next owners were Doris Maud Notcutt and Evelyn Llewellyn Notcutt who rented the house to tenants.  They sold it in 1950 when it was described as a ‘furnished brick villa six rooms. s.o., bathroom, gas heater, pantry. 2 kitchenettes. garage.’ The ‘two kitchenettes’ indicates that the house was let as two residences, with shared bathroom.  

Margaret Evelyn Fraser was the purchaser and she lived there until the early 1970s. She was a retired teacher and according to her teacher record had been a ‘bright, active teacher on v.g. terms with her pupils.’