The house was rented in the late 1870s and in the early 1880s surveyor Henry St John Wood's address was Windermere.

[1] It is believed that Windermere was demolished and a new house was built for Sutherland's daughter Ruth and her husband solicitor John George Appel on the site c. 1886.

[1] From 1928 until 1967 the property was owned and inhabited by Dr Ellis Murphy and his wife Mary (daughter of Thomas Charles Beirne).

Dr Ellis was a physician to the Brisbane General Hospital from 1938 to 1954, and part-time Professor of Medicine at the University of Queensland from 1950 to 1954.

In 1994 the residence was bought by T & D Weeks, and extensive refurbishment of the gardens, rear wings, front verandah and interior was undertaken.

[1] The building has been added to and altered over the years, but the core of the house and its principal frontage to the street remain substantially intact in form and detail.

The gazebo to the south east corner of the house has an ogee roof topped with a large turned finial.

The eastern (front) elevation has a central entrance stair which arrives under a projecting pediment supported on paired posts.

The house contains fine detailing, including cedar joinery, etched and coloured glass windows, timber ceiling roses, mouldings and marble fireplaces with hand-painted tiles.

It has a strong association with prominent Queensland politician/pastoralist John Appel, and notable Brisbane physician Dr Ellis Murphy.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

It has a strong association with prominent Queensland politician/pastoralist John Appel, and notable Brisbane physician Dr Ellis Murphy.