51 Virginia St, Newtown, has sold for almost $6m.
A prestigious Newtown home has become one of the suburb’s most expensive pieces of real estate after selling for almost $6m.
The historic five-bedroom California bungalow hooked a buyer in just over two weeks, cutting short an expressions of interest campaign.
Yemoneit occupies an impressive 2697sq m parcel of land with a tennis court and swimming pool at 51 Virginia St, Newtown.
RELATED: Original beauty unmasked at South Geelong worker’s cottage
Five-month flip adds $270K to Grovedale home
Stellar renovation transforms early Geelong West homestead
It was originally built for Lewis Hirst, the son of woollen manufacturer Godfrey, in 1919.
Whitford, Newtown agent John Moran said the buyers’ impending holiday spurred the quick sale.
CoreLogic reported the property sold for $5.95m, making it Newtown’s biggest sale in three years.
“They were going overseas last Friday and were hoping to get it wrapped up before they went,” Mr Moran said.
“We had local and international interest from expats, but these guys came out strong and wanted to get it wrapped up and the vendors were happy to do that.
“There were multiple offers on the table.”
Ornate ceilings and timber panelling feature in the formal lounge.
An elegant setting for dinner parties.
The scale of the gardens was a big part of the appeal.
The new owners plan to splash even more cash on renovating the two-storey bungalow.
“I’m not sure what the actual firm plans are. I’m sure they’re probably thinking about that
over a cocktail overseas,” he said.
The home, held by the same family for 48 years, last changed hands for $90,000 in 1976, CoreLogic records show.
It retains beautifully preserved heritage features such as decorative plasterwork, timber panelling and an open fireplace crafted from Italian stone.
Mr Moran said there weren’t many opportunities to buy properties of such calibre in Geelong.
“Obviously $6m is up there but the amount of people who have said I always stop and stare at that house,” he said.
The updated kitchen overlooks the rear garden.
The north-facing front yard is immaculately landscaped.
Summer fun sorted.
“Obviously you have got the expansive land and it’s in one of, if not the best street in Geelong.
“There were a few that would have moved in to live for a while and then done the renovation down the track once they had a feel for the house. There’s others that said they would rip into renovations straight away.”
He said members of the Hirst family had reached out since the property was listed for sale and shared historical images of children playing the in front yard.
The grand entrance hall makes a statement.
The games room belongs to another era.
The elm tree they ran around is still there, along with ornate heritage details that wind back the clock in the formal lounge and dining rooms and the entrance hall.
The rear of the floorplan has been adapted and extended over the years to include a comfortable kitchen and living zone and another rumpus room with a striking cork ceiling.
A separate recreation room with a kitchenette service the tennis court and pool area.
Another historic five-bedroom mansion at 2 Raith Tce, Newtown, holds the suburb residential price record of $6.3m.
English (US) · 