Stellar renovation transforms early Geelong West homestead

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180 Autumn St, Geelong West, is scheduled to be auctioned on September 7.


One of Geelong West’s earliest homesteads has finally been given the renovation it deserves, with a much-needed makeover proving worth the wait.

‘Homewood’, a double brick beauty which has stood at 180 Autumn St since 1864, is once again the pride of the neighbourhood after the grand reveal of its first class transformation.

Behind the restored heritage facade, a new rear extension delivers a cracking contemporary living space that connects the house to the prized north-facing back yard.

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But you only have to peer through the custom glass hatch into the original wine cellar below to see that the home’s heritage is far from forgotten.

McGrath, Geelong listing agent Jim Cross said the vendors commissioned a custom fabricated steel frame with special thickened glass to make a feature of the cellar.

It’s just one example of the workmanship that’s gone into creating a high-end finish throughout the four-bedroom house.

The vendors were going for volume in the rear extension.


The kitchen has a 4.2m island bench.


The new back deck catches all the northern sunlight.


“They bought the property unrenovated and they saw so much potential to do a first class extension and renovation and it has come up amazing,” Mr Cross said.

“The workmanship and the fixtures and fittings and design of the whole property is gorgeous and on point for today’s current standards.”

The home’s original footprint, which retains the classic slate roof, now accommodates four bedrooms, two of which have ensuite bathrooms.

Beyond here the new open-plan kitchen, dining and living room is a light-filled revelation.

Set under high cathedral ceilings, it showcases feature windows that seem to stretch skywards, elegant herringbone timber floors and oversized glass sliding doors onto a rear deck.

Peer down through the hatch to the original cellar below.


Two of the front bedrooms have period fireplaces.


“They have really capitalised on that north-facing back yard with that open-plan area,” Mr Cross said.”

“What they wanted to do there, which they have done so well, is gets lots of volume in that space. So having that vaulted ceiling and that height out the back, one brings in all the that natural light, but two, adds that volume to that whole area so it just feels like a gorgeous home to live in but also entertain in.”

No entertainer’s home is complete without a quality kitchen and this one doesn’t disappoint.

The highlight is a 4.2m island bench topped with Calacatta stone that’s paired with navy toned cabinetry for a classic finish.

An internal courtyard sits between the main bedroom suite and the rear extension.


The central bathroom has a freestanding tub.


A separate studio could be a home office or additional living space.


Mr Cross said a separate studio at the rear lent itself to a home office or extra living zone.

The 825sq m property currently has off-street parking for two cars, via a rear lane, but there is scope to add a triple garage alongside the studio.

A deep set back also provides play space in the front yard under the shade of Norfolk Island pine that was planted in 1915 to celebrate the marriage of former resident Elsie, who was born in the house, and Harold Smith, who later died in World War I.

McGrath, Geelong agent Jim Cross has scheduled the auction of 180 Autumn St, Geelong West for September 7 at 11am.

Price hopes are $1.999m to $2.19m.

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