The 1905 former Savings Bank, now a four-bedroom house with a commercial space, has been listed for sale.
Camperdown’s historic former Savings Bank is again luring townsfolk through the doors after an extensive restoration to reclaim its faded beauty.
Decades after shutting up shop, the landmark 1905 bluestone and brick building has emerged as a charming residence with a flexible commercial space fronting the town’s picturesque elm avenue.
The original vault and old bank chamber still form part of the four-bedroom residence listed for sale at 194 Manifold St, Camperdown.
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The current occupants have converted the chamber into a large living space and occasional party venue, but said its real value lay in the 1129sq m property’s commercial mixed use zoning.
They originally toyed with opening a takeaway business at the premises, but have decided to put it on the market for new owners to further unlock its potential.
Ray White, Camperdown listing agent Davina Pickles expects it to fetch $1.2m to $1.3m.
Geelong architects Tombs and Durran designed the bank in the Federation Romanesque free style, with a later extension added in 1974.
That addition forms part of the commercial space, which lends itself to an office, studio, doctor’s surgery or eatery.
Arched windows feature in the old bank vault, now a living and dining room.
The main bedroom, originally the parlour, has a fireplace and window seating.
The updated kitchen has modern appliances.
The occupants said the 120-year-old building was “like a defunct ’80s sad state of affairs” when they moved in three years ago.
One of their first jobs was to remove the false ceilings in the bank chamber and restore the badly-damaged original timber ceiling.
“We just use it as a dining and living area even though it’s away from the main kitchen, we’ve had some great nights in there, big dinner parties and the fire going – it’s wonderful,” she said.
“We’ve had a few local events in there, people have asked to hold birthday parties in there. We are more than happy as it’s such a beautiful building.”
The first floor has a view over Camperdown’s clock tower.
The house has two renovated bathrooms and two powder rooms.
The huge backyard is a blank canvas.
The residence, with a private entry via a side driveway, blends modern comforts with period features, such as arched windows, panelled walls, timber floorboards, fireplaces and beautiful original staircase.
Upstairs, the original parlour or main bedroom suite, has views of Camperdown’s historic clock tower, while the updated bathroom features a classic claw foot bath tub.
“You could add a pool and garden and it would be a wonderful residence on its own,” the occupant said.
“Or put in a yoga studio, a doctor’s studio – the options are endless and it would always have a beautiful feel to it whatever you put in there.”
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