Beautiful Branthwaite, a coveted colonial estate

ONE of Hobart’s most beautiful homes in arguably the city’s most beautiful neighbourhood is set to change hands for the first time in 20 years.

Historic Branthwaite is as gorgeous as it is large. With five bedrooms and six living spaces — depending on needs and floorplan configuration — it is a luxuriously expansive 1830s home.

The grounds are equally amazing stretching across some 1600sq m; an absolute treat in an inner-city suburb such as South Hobart.

Charlotte Peterswald for Property director Kim Morgan said since hitting the market some 10,000 people had viewed this gorgeous home online, and with the expressions of interest period on the horizon, potential buyers were now preparing their offers.

“The house is absolutely stunning, there is no question about that,” he said.

“With its beautiful gardens and the park just across the road, its highly appealing.”

When the current owners purchased the property it had been the St Johns Ambulance headquarters, Kim said.

“They bought it and saw the promise of what it was,” he said.

“Architecturally, it is a very rare property in that we don’t have many authentic Regency villas in the suburbs of Hobart.

“There used to be a number of them around Hobart, but in South Hobart this one is almost it.

“We have provenance right back to 1830.

“The home was transformed into its current footprint 10 years later then some more modifications in the Arts and Crafts period of the 1890s.

“The owners gave it new life as a thoroughly authentic, beautiful home.”

Kim said across the big block — and the borrowed landscape of the adjacent park — the gardens made a statement.

“For where it is in the city, it is a large parcel of land,” he said.

“When the owners bought the property it had no gardens to speak of, but they had some of the original 1800s drawings of the gardens to create what is there today.”

Gravelled pathways weave around established florals that burst with colour.

A central water fountain takes pride of place and provides a soft and musical focal point for all that surrounds it.

Almost completely private, the property has high fences and mature trees while sitting opposite the mature trees are the heritage roses and lawns of picturesque Fitzroy Gardens.

Adding to the outdoor entertaining options, a sandstone courtyard hugs the side of the home.

Inside, the home is immaculately presented, beautifully maintained and thoughtfully restored.

This stately example of a colonial villa offers the perfect fusion of period features, outdoor elegance and modern amenities.

After acquiring the property in 2001, the owners have undertaken extensive sympathetic renovations and a painstaking process of restoration, progressively returning the residence to the status of a grand yet liveable family home.

The walls have been painted in the original colour scheme while French doors and the original entrance have been reinstated with stone steps leading into the garden.

The home has new plumbing and wiring throughout.

On the northern side of the property, internal spaces have been opened up to create a casual breakfast room and family room that is bathed in abundant sunshine.

The kitchen is a modern and functional space with a generous walk-in pantry providing plenty of storage.

There is an original sub-floor cellar, which is lined with exposed convict bricks, that can be accessed from the family room.

Two of the five bedrooms, with built-in wardrobes, are located on the lower level.

These spacious and elegant rooms contain original fireplaces and French doors opening to the gardens.

The master bedroom has an ensuite with twin sinks, a shower and a separate toilet.

Still on the lower level, the elegant main bathroom is centrally located and features marble-tiled walls and floors.

A deep bathtub offers luxurious relaxation, with a walk-in shower, toilet and large vanity completing the space.

Ascending the staircase, each of the three first floor bedrooms overlook the gardens to the front and rear of the property. Two have wardrobes and one has a desk.

There is also a large storage room that could be remodelled into a bathroom.

The 1800s middle section of the villa was constructed as a triple brick building,

Sandstone wings were a later addition in the 1840s by former convict and leading architect James A Thompson.

Other noteworthy buildings designed by Thompson around town include St John’s Presbyterian Church, the Tasmanian Club and the Synagogue.

In 1890, an extensive makeover introduced a number of Arts and Crafts elements were introduced, while the purity of the Georgian aesthetic was retained.

No.65 Fitzroy Crescent, South Hobart is listed with Charlotte Peterswald for Property, it will be sold by expressions of interest closing 5pm, February 11.

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