In Napoleonic times, great interest was aroused by the archaeological discoveries in Egypt. Chapel Street was in the 18th and 19th centuries the most prestigious road in Penzance.

In 1835, the mineralogist, John Lavin, bought a plot on the street from James Tregurthen of Scilly and had a new house designed by the famous architect, John Foulston who based his plans on the, Devonport, Civil and Military Library now the Oddfellows Hall.

The Egyptian House was the site of Lavin’s shop and gems collection. 

On Lavin’s death the house and collection was sold to Oxford University.

The house became shops but became neglected after the Second World War.  Renovated in the 1960s, it is now owned by the Landmark Trust, and comprises a ground floor shop and upper floor holiday accommodation.