DOCUMENTARY: EBUN HOUSE,ODUNFA STREET,LAGOS ISLAND, NIGERIA

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By Victor Olubiye


Ẹbun House was designed by Herbert Macaulay for Andrew W. Thomas, father of Ọlabode Thomas and Tinuọla Thomas, in the Afro-Brazilian architectural style.

The structure was adorned with intricate decorative elements above the arched windows and wooden shutters. A prominent feature on the first floor was a covered wooden balcony, extending from the façade, with elegantly crafted window frames and Gothic arches on the lower section, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

Distinctive dentil moldings lined the cornices beneath the second-floor windows, adding to the building’s grandeur. The top floor was accentuated by four dormer windows, while an elaborate fence and gateposts enclosed a small front courtyard, leading to a beautifully arched entrance.

Andrew W. Thomas: A Lagos Auctioneer and Social Figure

Andrew W. Thomas was a renowned auctioneer who thrived in Lagos and played an active role in associational life. He was the brother-in-law of Marian Oyebomi Thomas and brother to Victoria A. Taylor (wife of Bryant Oludele Taylor). A devout member of the African Church Bethel (Broad Street), he frequently hosted social gatherings, including: 

A dinner at Ọnasokun House on January 24, 1902, in honor of Francis Colley Green's retirement from public service.

 An evening tea reception for the Young Men's Bethel Church Association on December 30, 1902.

He passed away on January 7, 1924, and was laid to rest at Ikoyi Cemetery.

The Fate of Ẹbun House

Tragically, Ẹbun House was destroyed by fire, erasing a piece of Lagos' rich architectural history.

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