Historic Pimpernel Cottage
As elusive as its literary hero namesake, the Scarlett Pimpernel, the sale of Pimpernel Cottage in Martinborough offers the rare chance to buy a historic home and two verdant sections, either separately or together.
The picturesque property, at 15 French St, is for sale for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Offers above $795,000 are invited for the three-bedroom cottage, which is on a flat, leafy 1424-square metre section.
The two neighbouring 804sqm sections are expected to sell for more than $550,000 each.
Each has a variety of mature trees and are planted in grapevines at the rear. Both sections have town water and sewerage to the boundary.
‘‘According to our local historian, Mate Higginson, Arthur Dohnt built the home in the early 1900s for his parents,’’ Susan Stephen, of Susan Stephen AndCo Realty, says.
‘‘Arthur, along with Gilbert Tyler, was responsible for producing horse-drawn mail coaches and for making the ornamental gates at the entry to the Soldiers Memorial Park in Martinborough Square.’’
The 139sqm weatherboardand-Colorsteel roof dwelling has been partially renovated and retains many of its original features, from the bullnose veranda, margin-light doors and sash windows to high, painted timber ceilings and two period fireplaces (one non-working, the other retro-fitted with a woodburner).
The leadlight front door opens into an entrance hall that leads into the sitting room with its large bay window.
Two of the double-bedrooms come off the hall while the functional kitchen and bathroom are at the back.
The kitchen has stained leadlights and adjoins a family/ dining room with exposed beams.
While some improvements have been made to the recently re-roofed cottage, further renovation would add value and enhance the rustic lifestyle it offers, Stephen says.
‘‘Seldom can you buy in
Martinborough not only a historic cottage but also the option of one or two adjoining sections that are already established.
‘‘There are very few sections on the market, let alone any as lovely as these sections’’