Grand Newtown home’s pending makeover after million-dollar sale
67 Aberdeen St, Newtown, was built in 1904.
A 117-year old Newtown residential landmark is set to undergo a renovation after a Geelong businessman secured the property.
The Edwardian villa at 67 Aberdeen Street sold for $1.55m, ending a campaign launched last spring.
Kainga was built in 1904 for real estate agent John Toyne and was once owned by former Geelong mayor Robert Thear and the Geelong Country Women’s Association.
Ornate fireplaces, leadlight and bay windows are delightful features of the home.
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Prolific Geelong architecture firm Laird and Barlow designed the house.
A grand staircase is a centrepiece of the timber trimmings.
McGrath, Geelong agent David Cortous said the buyer is likely to build on the history and craftsmanship on offer in the enormous house to renovate its living quarters to 21st century standards.
“You can’t replicate those big old homes with the architecture from the era with a property like that.
“For one there are probably not a lot of builders with the skill to do it and it would just cost way too much to build that type of home now with the architecture of it.”
This bathroom is one of the updated rooms in the home.
The house has three formal living rooms and four bedrooms.
Built on a 1220sq m block, a courtyard wraps around the rear of the residence revealing a resort-style swimming pool and pool house compete with a kitchenette.
At the back is a four-car garage and a separate carport.
The house is laced with timber trimmings (including a standout staircase), leadlight windows, ornate cornicing, bay windows and polished floorboards.
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Bifolding doors open a pool house to a covered deck and swimming pool.
“There’s a lot to work with,” he said.
“Because there is so much space under roof it doesn’t really need extensions.
“It just needs renovations under the roof because it’s got a great size to it.
“It needs to be brought up into the now with a master bedroom, walk-in robe and ensuite and an open-plan kitchen, meals and living area — that type of alteration to the floorplan to bring it up to how people like to live in this era.
A built-in barbecue features in a courtyard at the side of the house.
“The people that bought it, they’ll do internal renovations, fix up the outside and change the floorplan and bring it up into the now.”
The previous owners, who paid $825,000 for the home in 2008 (according to CoreLogic data) have relocated to Darwin, Mr Cortous said.