sandford passed through several hands before being purchased in 1899 by thomas roger scarfe, brother of george, one of the founding members of the harris scarfe department store. thomas was also a member of the firm. he found the two-storey home unsuitable for his needs and built the grand victorian mansion now known as eden park, designed by architect alfred wells. thomas lived there until his death in 1915, with his widow staying on until her death in 1942.