Originally home to a Presbyterian minister, this Peppermint Grove manse was saved from demolition by three sisters who remarkably brokered a house swap to own the historic property.
Meredith Goodlet said her mother, Ilma Steel, instigated the deal almost three decades ago after seeing preliminary works to the property at 12 Venn Street that she feared would lead to its demise.
This heritage home has all the period details you’d expect. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
“My mother and two aunties were walking past one day and saw that it was going to be demolished so they did a deal with the minister who bought their house in McNeil Street, and mum and my aunties got the house in Venn Street,” Mrs Goodlet said.
“The church was planning to build a spec home for the minister because they wanted something a bit more modern, so she told them she had a lovely house they could have.”
The home was painstakingly brought back to its former glory. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The purchase of the heritage-listed, four-bedroom limestone cottage for $300,000 in 1992 soon became a “labour of love” to nurture the charming Federation Queen Anne-style residence in Perth’s Peppermint Grove.
“Mum was always interested in old houses,” Mrs Goodlet said.
“She fixed the leadlight down the side and went to leadlight classes to learn how to do it, so it was really a labour of love. She also got the garden back to a cottage garden.”
Built in 1905, the old manse is deemed culturally significant because of its connection to the first Christian ministry in the suburb.
Set on a 702sqm lot, it has four bedrooms, a quaint veranda and has retained hallmarks of its vintage, including decorative stained glass doors, original pine timber flooring in the hallway, ceiling roses and a feature fireplace.
Heritage Council of Western Australia documents said the manse’s construction was significant because it indicated a need for a full time minister to serve the area.
The home’s details speak to days gone by. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
“The manse has some historical significance in its own right, however its historical significance is greater as part of a cultural group,” the heritage listing states.
The property, which is being marketed by Deborah Brady, from Ray White Cottesloe-Mosman Park, will go to auction on Saturday, 22 August at 11 am.
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