It has played host to MPs and even housed an internationally renowned entertainer, and now this incredible Malvern home could be yours.
Bought by One Rundle Trading Co. director Josephine Marshall and her husband Andrew 13 years ago, Mrs Marshall says it has been quite the journey transforming the dilapidated property at 224 Wattle St into the grand family entertainer it is now.
“When we bought it, not a word of a lie, it was an absolute wreck,” Josephine says.
“It had been divided into four flats immediately after the Second World War, and I don’t even think the floors had been vacuumed since 1946 – there were cockroaches everywhere.
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The Malvern property at 224 Wattle St has played host to some impressive people.
It has six bedrooms and five bathrooms and is on a sprawling 1146sqm block.
The owner transformed it from a dilapidated property into a grand family home.
The property also has a detached coach house with kitchenette and ensuite.
“Part of it was condemned by the council and there was a shared laundry for the four tenants.
“When we moved in, one of the tenants was still in occupation and refused to budge, so it was basically like The Young Ones, but when we started the renovation he complained we were making too much noise and left.
“It’s a very good thing I’m married to a builder, because it was, of course, twice as much as we thought in terms of cost.
“It had been converted really cheaply and that actually really helped because instead of making major changes, they just covered everything up.
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“So we found missing doors in the corrugated iron shed, and we found the missing driveway gates there as well.
“Everything was just painted over or covered over.
“They turned it into a cheap tenement, but they didn’t actually take out any original detail.”
With its six bedrooms and detached coach house with kitchenette and ensuite, the home has enough room to accommodate even large families, or guests – be they family members or famous faces.
The owners have hosted Tim Minchin at the property, as well as former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
There is plenty of space for a large family or those who enjoy entertaining.
The property is being sold via a best offers campaign, which closes May 20.
“SA Film Corp contacted me and said ‘we’ve got this famous Australian who’s going to stay in SA for six weeks to write this series with us and we thought that maybe your accommodation would be appropriate’,” Josephine says.
“So we ended up having Tim Minchin write the series Upright in the coach house, and he was an absolutely delightful guest.
Australian comedian, actor, composer, songwriter, pianist and director Tim Minchin. Picture: Supplied.
“We’re also fortunate to have been invited to host former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Peter Dutton for lunch, and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price for dinner, and that was really fun.
“It was an absolute joy to reimagine this property from its really basic condition back to a noble house that was very accessible.
“I wanted every single room to be used and to be comfortable and fun, but in a way that respected a 19th century historic building in a historic suburb.
“And I feel that’s what we’ve done.”
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