Original built in 1870s, 35 Villamanta St, Geelong West has been listed for sale for the first time in 70 years.
A sprawling landmark property considered one of the most significant homes ever built in Geelong West has hit the market for the first time in 70 years.
The circa 1870s brick Victorian villa offers a grand window into the past on a scale rarely seen in the suburb.
It occupies a 1400sq m block at 35 Villamanta Street which offers the rare luxury of dual street frontages, a swimming pool and private formal gardens that would make the perfect backdrop for a summer soiree.
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Anyone for a Pimm’s on the veranda?
Owned by a family of musicians for decades, the ornate five-bedrom house is currently home to a set of bellowing pipe organs that once provided entertainment for visitors in the “ballroom”.
McGrath, Geelong agent David Cortous has listed the property with a price guide of $2m-$2.2m.
He said the house was one out of the box and had well-preserved period features that would lend themselves to a modern-day restoration.
The bellowing pipe organ has pride of place in the “ballroom”.
The decorative detail is beautifully preserved in this loungeroom.
Bay windows feature in many of the original rooms.
“It’s a very, very special property,” Mr Cortous said.
“It has beautiful architecture and gardens and it’s on 1400sq m, with a 40m frontage to Villamanta St which is quite amazing.
“It’s a wonderful property. There isn’t another like it in Geelong West and probably not in Geelong.”
A return veranda with intricate tile work, symmetrical bay windows, marble fireplaces and high ceilings with decorative cornices are among the many period features that survive at the polychrome brick residence.
The entrance hall makes a grand statement.
Formal gardens surround the pool.
Properties of this size are few and far between in Geelong West.
The original section of the house has a series of large formal living and bedrooms, one of which comfortably fits a grand piano.
A 1970s extension includes a dining room, updated kitchen with marble benchtops and a home office.
Mr Cortous said the house was full of wonderful surprises, including an underground cellar below one of the front living room.
The kitchen is a more recent addition.
The dining room.
The walled garden offers great privacy.
The separate maids’ quarters could be converted into a separate studio or home business base.
He said the pipe organ in the ballroom added another layer to the home’s rich history.
“The father was an organist in one of the local churches so people all used to congregate back there, that’s the story of the pipe organ” he said.
“One of the daughters is in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.”
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