Philip Nunn was the younger brother of Crumpton John Nunn who, with Mars Buckley, founded the department store, Buckley & Nunn in 1851. Philip joined the firm around 1857 and remained a partner almost until his death in 1907. He was on the first committee of Holy Trinity Church and remained a loyal church member throughout his life. He previously lived at 125 Hotham Street from about 1861.

Philip Nunn lived at Claverings, named after the Nunn family home in England, till the end of his life. The house then passed to his daughters who continued to live there, the last one dying in 1968. It was then sold to a developer, Solomon Handelsman, who sold it to the present owners in 1972. A kitchen wing and garage were added in 1974.