THE GOLD STANDARD
A 1830s New Norfolk mansion known for its accommodation and restaurant business will return to its roots as a stately, expansive family home, writes Jarrad Bevan.
HISTORIC New Norfolk mansion Tynwald has turned the page on its next chapter.
To little surprise, when this gorgeous mansion hit the market it quickly attracted serious local and interstate inquiries — and now it has a new owner.
While the price is currently not disclosed, the Mercury understand the sale has set a new benchmark for a house sale in New Norfolk.
EIS Property agent and senior property consultant, Deb Stephens, said the threelevel 11-bedroom eight-bathroom property will be used in a different way by the new custodian compared to the last.
Patricia Kelsall and Garry Roohan had run a restaurant and accommodation business from their 1830s-built riverside castle. But going forward, Tynwald will be a residential home.
Ms Stephens said No.1 Tynwald Road had been purchased by a local who has a strong connection with the New Norfolk area and “loves the location and possibilities” that Tynwald has to offer.
“They are not sure what they will do with the property, but it will no longer be used for tourist accommodation, rather a residence instead,” she said.
Ms Stephens said understandably, after 36 years, the sale has been an emotional journey for her vendors.
“For Garry and Pat, it was an emotional process to even get to the stage of selling,” she said.
“How can they replace or move to a property that compares to the rich history of Tynwald?
“But it is time for them to hang up their hats and move to a new, slower pace of life and take time for themselves after such a long time spent being charismatic hosts to their guests!
“It will be a change in life that will take some time to get used to, I am sure, after decades of running their own business.
“As they are packing up, they are getting a bit excited about the things that they might do to fill their days moving forward.”
A walk through Tynwald is like stepping back in time with its intricate timber fireplace mantles, original flagstone floors, staircase balustrades, pressed tin ceilings and stained-glass windows speaking to its era.
The property’s original home was built in the Georgian-style some eight years after a mill for grinding wheat was erected in 1822.
In 1889 the home was extended by owner William Moore, who added the tower, bay windows, verandas and iron lacework, reflecting grand Victorian mansions of the era.
Throughout Tynwald’s sale campaign, Tasmanian buyers showed strong interest in the property while interstate buyers from NSW and Victoria were restricted to video walk-throughs.
Ms Stephens said the history associated with the property, the structures on the property (including the main residence and cottage) and the picturesque riverside setting attracted a lot of buyers to Tynwald.
“It has been such a well-known property over the decades, and the owners have been very much a part of making Tynwald a memorable destination to come to and stay or dine at,” she said.