The News Hub

Published: 1 July 2026.

Leonore Avenue in Kensington Gardens was named after Leonore Krantz, the daughter of Hirsch and Rosa Krantz – the second owners of Albyn House.

Originally from Odessa, Hirsch Krantz purchased Albyn House in 1900. A highly successful businessman, he built considerable wealth through real estate and investments.

The Krantz family were known for their musical talents and hospitality, often hosting elegant gatherings at their home. One memorable occasion even welcomed the famed soprano, Dame Nellie Melba.

Leonore went on to marry the acclaimed Russian-born pianist Jascha Spivakovsky in Czechoslovakia 1926, and later settled in Melbourne.

The below scene depicts the nearby Glynburn Road (then known as Burnside Road) at the time the Krantz family lived at Kensington Gardens. The photograph is taken looking south, with Kensington Gardens on the left and Kensington Park to the right.

Photo: Horse drawn carts and pedestrian travelling along Burnside Road in Kensington Garden, c. 1910. State Library of South Australia [PRG280/1/13/475].