This house was probably built in 1898-1899 for Annie Forsyth Stephenson, wife of Dunedin medical practitioner Dr Ralph Stephenson. A late Victorian brick residence in an area of High Street with a long association with medical practitioners, the house has architectural, historical and aesthetic significance.

Dr Ralph Stephenson (1866-1903) was a Tasmanian-born medical practitioner, educated in Edinburgh. He specialised in homeopathy, before setting up practice first in St Kilda, near Melbourne, before moving to Dunedin in 1895. In 1899 Stephenson set up the Nordrach Cottage Sanatorium at Whare Flat near Dunedin – a private hospital for ‘open air’ cures for tuberculosis. The hospital was modelled on the Nordrach hospital in Germany – wooden buildings, with separate rooms for patients, arranged to give access to light and fresh air.

This part of High Street had a strong association with medical practitioners. In 1919, the house was sold to Dr Thomas Harrison, retaining its use as a residence and practice rooms. In 1923, Harrison sold to another medical practitioner, Dr Gerald Fitzgerald. In the late 1960s, the house became the offices for the New Zealand Engineering Coachbuilding Aircraft and Related Trades’ Industrial Union of Workers.

James Louis Salmond (1868-1950) was born in North Shields, England. He was educated at Otago Boys' High School and began his career articled to Robert Arthur Lawson (1833-1902). Salmond initially practised on his own account but later rejoined Lawson in partnership. Salmond took over the practice when Lawson died in 1902. Salmond was the architect of over 20 churches in Otago including the Presbyterian churches at Roslyn, Kaikorai, North Dunedin and the Wesleyan church at Mornington. He designed many private residences including Watson Shennan's house at 367 High Street, as well as those at 114 Cargill Street and 14 Pitt Street, all in Dunedin. Salmond was president of the Otago Art Society, and also served a term as president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. His son Arthur joined the firm having studied in London and his grandson John continues to work in the firm today. It is now known as Salmond Anderson Architects.

Dr Stephenson’s Residence (Former) is a two storey Victorian town house. Built in brick, with contrasting window facings, quoins and a tile roof, it has a strong street presence. In 2016, it remains a residence.