the house was originally located on a plot of land southeast of its current location, at the intersection of what is now adelaide street (then 64 duke street) and frederick street. more specifically, it stood at the head of frederick street as a view terminus, on the site presently occupied by george brown college's chef school or centre for hospitality at 300 adelaide street east. upon sir william campbell's death in 1834, his estate conveyed the house to his wife, lady campbell, for her use. after lady campbell's death in 1844, her estate auctioned the property and the contents of the house with the proceeds distributed amongst their heirs. for most of the 19th century the structure remained a private residence. it was home to various prominent citizens (hon. james gordon, terence o’neil, john strathy and john fensom) until 1890, by which point the neighbourhood had changed into a commercial and industrial zone. the building eventually came to be used by several businesses after the turn of the 20th century as office space and a factory, including hobbs glass company; capewell horse nail company and masco elevator company.