One of Melb’s oldest private homes listed post $4m reno

2 weeks ago 9

22 Le Cateau St, Pascoe Vale South - for herald sun real estate

Wentworth House at 22 Le Cateau St, Pascoe Vale South, dates back to the pre-Victorian Gold Rush era.

A grand house believed to be Victoria’s oldest private home has hit the market with a $9.9m-$10.89m range after a spectacular multimillion-dollar renovation.

The Pascoe Vale South property dates back to 1841-1842, a handful of years after Melbourne was first settled by Europeans in 1835.

It was built for Scottish migrant, surgeon Dr Farquhar McCrae, at 22 Le Cateau St as part of his La Rose estate.

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Heritage documents state that the abode, now known as Wentworth House, is one of Victoria’s oldest surviving houses and possibly the state’s oldest surviving stone house.

Whitefox’s Dylan Francis said the home was in a dilapidated state when the current owner bought it a decade ago.

“It’s the oldest private residence in Victoria, built back in 1841,” Mr Francis said.

After purchasing the house, the owner embarked on circa-$4m reno which included installing a wine cellar with a sink, dishwasher and space for 1000-plus bottles.

“The owner has an app on his phone which tells him where the wine he wants is located in the storage,” Mr Francis said.

While the extensive liquor collection is not up for sale along with the home, it “might be up for negotiation”.

The bluestone house was one of Victoria’s earliest homesteads.

The cellar can hold more 1000 bottles of wine.

The original owner, Dr Farquhar McCrae, became a magistrate and the director of several companies and a bank after he arrived in Australia with his family.

The original outhouse and stables remain while there’s also a billiards room, horseshoe-shaped driveway, two carports and a main bedroom with an ensuite and two walk-in wardrobes.

The kitchen is fitted with a French Lacanche cooker, Gaggenau and Liebherr appliances, and a butler’s pantry.

Marble, granite, Venetian plaster, exposed brick and bluestone feature throughout Wentworth House which is set on a sprawling 3144sq m m block.

“Outside it’s like your own little slice of Tuscany, between the bluestone and the vines and greenery in the garden,” Mr Francis.

There’s plenty of space to build another residence, garage, pool or tennis court, subject to approval, he added.

The billiards room could also be used as a fourth bedroom.

There’s plenty of space to entertain.