Blessed with ‘infinite possibilities’
TENDERS close on August 29 for a ‘‘totally unique’’ home on a 2691 square metre section in Khandallah that’s ripe for renovation, restoration or redevelopment.
The two-storey house, at 11 Woodmancote Rd, has had only two owners since the Murphy family, of C J Murphy Brickworks in Miramar, built it in 1930.
‘‘It’s a difficult property to price because it’s totally unique and offers infinite possibilities in one of Khandallah’s most desirable streets,’’ Nicholas Reeve, of RE/MAX Leaders, says. ‘‘It’s rare to find a home this large in such a highlyregarded location.’’
The 450sqm house, which requires extensive work, has a brick exterior with a Welsh slate roof, abounds in period features like Carrara ceilings, oil-fired radiator heaters and leadlights, and sits amid extensive lawn and established trees.
The leafy, sunny, near-level grounds include a double garage, glasshouse and disused tennis court that backs on to Khandallah School.
The front door opens off an entrance porch and into a wide hall with oak panelling.
Two large formal rooms are to the right, each with a bow window. One has a window seat, the other a tiled fireplace.
Another wide hall leads past three of the double bedrooms, the tiled bathroom and an exceptionally large family room, with an open fireplace, to the largely original kitchen, complete with scullery, and separate laundry.
Another large bedroom is upstairs, along with two more exceptionally big rooms with polished floorboards.
Mr Reeve says the house was clearly built for formal entertaining en masse. ‘‘For today’s lifestyle, it could be configured for anything from four-to-six bedrooms without compromising any of the living or entertaining space.
‘‘As it stands, it offers five living rooms and four bedrooms.’’ Some rooms are in better condition than others but all need refurbishing or renovating.
‘‘It’s in largely original order, so the intrinsic character and quality materials remain intact,’’ Mr Reeve says. ‘‘It’s extremely unusual to find a property that’s only 10 minutes’ drive from the city with so much potential and space. You could restore or renovate the house and have a grand estate, demolish it and build additional dwellings on the site, or keep it and partially redevelop the rest of the property.’’
The property has a rateable value of $1.275 million.