Newtown grandeur begging for update

A BIG budget and a vast imagination is needed to transform a historic Newtown mansion into a grand and luxurious residence.

The solid brick house at 6 Hermitage Rd (pictured above) has been stripped back to bare bones and provides an opportunity for someone to create a masterpiece.

The 14-room house is on 1650sq m of land in one of Geelong’s best streets.

Local interior decorator Mel Wilson said any new buyers should keep the circa 1891-built house as authentic as it could be. “There are a lot of beautiful details in the house that are quite original. I would renovate it to fit our standard of living but be sympathetic and keep that traditional feel,” Ms Wilson said.

The formal rooms at the front of the house have high ceilings, wallpaper, fireplaces and timber floorboards.

Feedback from interested buyers has been to keep the traditional style of the house but to bring it into the 21st century, according to Whitford Property Newtown agent Heidi Trempel.

Ms Trempel said there had strong interest in the property, mainly from local buyers.

“There is a heritage overlay on some of the property but there are no restrictions on changing things at the back as it has been added on,” she said. “It will be one of the best homes in Newtown once it is done.”

Potential buyers looking for inspiration could take a look at the renovation Ms Wilson is doing on her own house with husband Alfy.

They bought a century-old california bungalow at 270 Autumn St, Manifold Heights, in 2015 and did it up to move in. They removed carpet, lino, curtains and wallpaper, sanded the floorboards and painted all surfaces.

Ms Wilson said there was patterned carpet in various shades of brown, floral wallpaper and a large statue on the staircase. Now those spaces have been turned into bright and light rooms but they still have a traditional feel to them.

An expressions of interest campaign is running for 6 Hermitage Rd, Newtown. Price hopes are $2.3 million to $2.5 million.