255 Melrose Avenue was built for Edgar and Katherine Barratt in 1896. Edgar Barratt was a civil engineer. Designed by George Maher, 255 Melrose Avenue is considered one of Maher’s transitional buildings. It combines Queen Anne elements, present in the rubblestone base and chimneys, semi-circular tower, and asymmetrical facade with features of the emerging Prairie Style, such as the broad hipped roof, wide eaves, and rectangular building shape.