Exterior features of the original Claremont homestead have been protected in council-approved plans for a renovation and extension of the house.
A landmark original Waurn Ponds homestead has stood the test of time, despite its depressing appearance.
The home, Claremont, was built in the 1850s, and remained in the Baum family from 1894 until 2021 when the last portion of the original property sold for $2.1m.
The home spent most of 2025 on the market to be listed as the most viewed property in Geelong on realestate.com.au in 2025.
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The new owners have since subdivided put the homestead back on the market with plans and permits for a project, designed by Projekt Evolve that would see the original portion of the house rebuilt, while adding a grand pavilion at the rear.
The home hit the market in February with price hopes that were eventually whittled down to a guide from $580,000 to $620,000 without any takers.
After scheduling another auction without success in October, the property was taken on the market.
Artist renders show how approved plans would transform the old Claremont homestead at 16 Kinsmead St, Waurn Ponds.
Artist renders show how approved plans would transform the old Claremont homestead.
McGrath, Geelong agent Candice Costoso said the owners indicated they would go ahead with the project themselves.
The plans include retaining heritage elements of the original house, such as the red clay bricks, the windows and front door, along with the wide veranda, hip roof and original fireplaces and chimneys.
Claremont was the subject to a battle over heritage protections after an earlier application to demolish the home.
A property intrinsically linked to the Melbourne Cup was among the most-viewed in Geelong in 2025.
St Albans Stud at 6-30 Homestead Drive, St Albans Park, is on the market for $6m to $6.5m.
Owners have retained the grand interiors of St Albans Stud.
St Albans Stud has a direct link to 10 Melbourne Cup winners and another 13 through breeding lines, according to the Australian Racing Museum, but the eastern suburbs property’s role in Phar Lap’s 1930 victory is probably its most famous.
Legend goes that Phar Lap trainer Harry Telford quietly asked then-owners whether he could hide the famous horse in secret at St Albans Stud after an apparent shooting attempt on Derby Day.
The Homestead Drive mansion designed by Melbourne architect James T Conlan and built in 1873 for prominent horse trainer James Wilson gives its name to the St Albans Park suburb.
Whitford Newtown agent Peter Fort, who has listed the 3.4ha property with a $6m to $6.6m price guide, said the links to the Cup add to the romance surrounding the home.
The prestige Barrabool Hills acreage property Strathmile at 204 Andersons Rd, Barrabool is on the market.
Picture windows frame the rural views.
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HF Richardson Newtown agent Matt Poustie has listed the 60.08ha property Strathmile with a $5.1m to $5.4m price guide.
“It’s a beautiful rolling landscape, which the Barrabool Hills is obviously renowned for,” Mr Poustie said when the property first listed in October.
At its heart is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house, an infinity edged pool along with two separate guesthouse studios positioned to showcase the lush rural views across the Barrabool Hills toward Mount Moriac.
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