The former workers’ cottages at 5-7 McCann St, Ceres, are listed for sale.
A pair of 173-year-old sandstone workers’ cottages that have evolved into a quaint heritage home offer a rare entry point to tightly held Ceres.
The eight-room house is the latest to hit the market in the Barrabool Hills village where opportunities to buy have been more than forthcoming than usual this year.
Six properties have already changed hands since January, but none have the history to rival 5-7 McCann St, Ceres.
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The 1997sq m property is set on a corner block with access off both McCann St and Heal St.
Stockdale & Leggo, South Barwon listing agent Rod van der Chys said the 1852 dwelling was “one out of the box”.
He said the original cottage building, built for Colonial-era workers at the nearby sandstone quarry, had been sympathetically extended about 20 years to create a larger home.
It’s set among landscaped gardens on a 2000sq m corner site that offers scope for another modern-day addition.
“It is just one that you walk in and stand there and go ‘wow, am I in the Ballarat jail?’. It’s just got a feel about it which is quite awesome,” Mr van der Chys said.
“Some people go mad for it and those who don’t like that style won’t show up.”
Exposed sandstone walls, timber ceilings and open fireplaces are on display throughout the home, which is listed with $1.8m to $1.98m price hopes.
A striking vaulted ceiling is a standout feature of the conservatory/living space.
Sandstone features have been retained throughout.
The garden has a series of different outdoor entertainment area, as well as lawn and garden beds.
It incorporates a country-style kitchen and conservatory with a vaulted ceiling overlooking the grounds and a self-contained one-bedroom studio above the separate triple garage.
“The gardens are just fantastic, not only do you have that huge paved area that’s north-facing off the back door but there’s rolling lawn and flower beds and there’s going to be a wisteria that will grow over the arbour,” Mr van der Chys said.
“I don’t know what you would have to spend if you were going to get a landscaper in to do that but it would be a phenomenal amount of money.”
He said people flocked to Ceres for its proximity to Highton and country town feel.
“You’ve got this cute little cricket ground up the road and the little primary school,” he said.
“The architecture of the township is just gorgeous and, with this one in particular, you have got Frank Mann Reserve right across the road so you’re never going to be built out.”
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