Wahroonga landmark property known as The Eyrie comes to market
Margaret and Allan Fozzard at their Wahroonga home. Picture: John Appleyard
Allan and Margaret Fozzard are only the third owners of this well-known Wahroonga landmark.
Known as The Eyrie, which means ‘an eagle’s nest perched on high’, they will have owned 88 Fox Valley Rd, for 34 years this April.
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But in all likelihood, given the strength of the upper north shore property market, the couple will have handed the keys over to the home’s next custodian.
Alex Minton, of McGrath Wahroonga, is taking the property to auction on March 13, with a price guide of $2.75 million.
The five-bedroom c1912 Federation bungalow is set on 2122sqm of wonderful gardens, the couple’s pride and joy.
88 Fox Valley Rd, Wahroonga.
The property is located close to the village shops, Warrawee Station, local bus services and the Sydney Adventist Hospital, and was originally built by William Lewis.
There is a park opposite known as William Lewis Park, which was previously an area owned by the Lewis family, that was donated to Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council as a park and accordingly named after him.
The deep veranda.
Mr Fozzard said they had moved to Wahroonga more than 30 years ago as they wanted to be closer to Pymble Ladies College, where their daughters were attending school.
He remembered that finding a suitable five-bedroom house to accommodate their family of six, was not so easy back then.
“In 1987 finding such a home was like finding a needle in a haystack as they were very hard to find,” he said.
“We saw 88 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga at a time when Margaret thought she had run out of options. She fell in love with it as she felt she could make it in to a beautiful family home, which given no limits, she did.”
Rear view.
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The couple spent three months renovating the home before they moved in, adding a new kitchen, new carpet, wallpaper and bathrooms.
The whole lower ground floor, previously sandstone external and internal brick walls with concrete floors were lined and tiled, and some areas of the roof rebuilt. An ensuite and dressing room with wardrobes were added to the main bedroom.
“The Eyrie suited our immediate six member family ideally,” Mr Fozzard said.
“With our extended family now of eighteen it can still comfortably accommodate them for special days, birthdays, Easter and Christmas and other occasions. We see no reason why a similar family would not enjoy its ambience.”
The kitchen.
There have been two weddings at the home over the years as well as countless functions and gatherings for the VIEW Club, Probus Group and PLC. When the trees were shorter in the garden they could see the fireworks and the Harbour Bridge.
Mr Fozzard said they would take plenty of memories with them, but their best was one of the simplest.
“The enjoyment of a large spacious home together with a gorgeous garden which shines with flowers in the spring,” he said.