Grand Tudor-style heritage home poised to break suburb record
159-163 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio is selling via expressions of interest with $1.5m-$1.65m price hopes.
A grand Tudor style heritage home designed by the architects behind Geelong’s Dalgety Woolstores is poised to break Corio’s house price record.
The five-bedroom residence at 159-163 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio, has been listed with $1.5m to $1.65m price hopes.
It has changed hands only twice since being built in 1931, last trading for $10,500 in 1978, according to CoreLogic records.
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The historic house sits among lush private gardens on a on a huge corner 1778sq m block covering two titles.
Ray White, Lara agents Peter Norman and Miranda Williams have launched an expressions of interest campaign to find a new owner for the remarkable property, which is one out of the box for Corio.
The median house price in the northern suburb is $485,000.
Ms Williams said once you stepped behind the front fence, you could be anywhere.
“It is truly something special … there is nothing else like it,” she said.
“It takes my breath away – every element – I could walk in there and live happily ever after and I’m hoping it goes to someone who loves it as much as the current owners.”
The formal lounge displays Tudor style timber detail.
The spacious kitchen has been updated with Corian benchtops and timber cabinetry.
A corner open fireplace warms the formal dining room.
Buchan, one of Australia’s oldest architecture firms, originally designed the two-storey house for the Lowrey family, who acquired the surrounding land in the 1870s.
The character-filled interior still displays exposed Australian red cedar beams, polished Tasmanian oak hardwood floors and a grand entrance foyer dressed with vintage 1920s lighting.
While the large kitchen/meals area has been sympathetically updated with Corian benchtops, custom timber cabinetry and integrated appliances, there’s an old world charm to the stately lounge and dining rooms where a bay window and brick fireplaces feature.
Even the bathroom has beautiful stained glass detail.
The spacious bathroom has a spa bathtub, shower and pedestal vanity.
The lush garden provides many tranquil spaces for outdoor entertaining.
There’s two bedrooms with built-in wardrobes on the ground floor.
“These owners that purchased this in the ’70s have maintained it beautifully over the years,” Ms Williams said.
“It has only had two owners, these guys and the people that built it.”
The current vendors are also responsible for the magnificent garden, which includes established fruit trees, a sunken brick firepit area and side access to garaging from Lowrey Court.
Other highlights of the home include a first floor sunroom, office and library.
There is no heritage overlay on the property, about 550sq m of which sits on a separate title that paves the way for subdivision.
The $1.5m sale of another five-bedroom house at 132-136 Matthews Rd, Corio, set a new residential price benchmark for the suburb earlier this month.
132-136 Matthews Rd, Corio, sold before auction for $1.5m.
The five-bedroom house offers open-plan living and a large outdoor entertainment area.
Area Specialist Geelong listing agent Ali Bandari said a Melbourne investor bought the 4033sq m block sight unseen.
He said typically properties with a price tag over $1m took longer to sell in Corio but this one, already earmarked for development, was snapped up in three weeks.
“They wanted an investment just to virtually land bank and maybe down the track subdivide and do something,” Mr Bandari said.
“On that right side (of Matthews Rd) is residential zone 1 so it’s subdividable. Next door they put 10 units a long time ago.”
Expressions of interest in 159-163 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio, close on October 22.