No. 21 Forster St in Bungendore is set to go under the hammer on August 22.
From a boys’ boarding house, to the home of a World War I surgeon and his renowned author wife, this magical Bungendore property presents more than a mere slice of history.
Built in the 1880s, the beautiful residence, now dubbed Thornleigh, was originally constructed as a dwelling on Gidleigh Station.
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In 1922 it was purchased along with 5.6 hectares of land, which was subdivided into what is today known as Bungendore Village and has served as the home of Colonel Dr Erik Dark, a World War I surgeon and his wife, Eleanor, who began writing the first of her three historical fiction novels, The Timeless Land, while living there.
Full of character.
The home has had many uses over its long history.
Current owner, artist Anthea Thomson, embarked on a significant extension to 21 Forster Street seven years ago and since 2018 has transformed the grounds into a stunning cottage garden which includes crab apples, wisteria, magnolia, roses and Manchurian pear.
The property now comprises a main residence, art studio and separate, self-contained cottage and has retained hallmarks of its vintage, including stained glass windows and original Baltic pine floorboards.
“This is a very special property,” said selling agent Katrice Velnaar, from Luton Properties – Gungahlin.
“It’s had a lot of different uses over the years. It was originally a boys’ boarding school, a doctor lived there who attached prosthesis to war victims after World War I and his wife was a famous author,” Ms Velnaar said.
“But the current owner is really the one who has taken it to this amazing treasure. They have added a whole new wing but have tied the two eras together really beautifully. There’s lots of stained glass, lots of timber. It’s quite incredible really.”
The windows have been maintained.
Set on a 1332sqm corner block in Bungendore, there are five bedrooms and three bathrooms across the landholding.
Each room of the main home is themed with bright colours and takes on a personality of its own.
The master bedroom features an original fireplace and ornate ceiling rose as well as oriental designs hand painted by a Chinese artist, while the study reflects an old-world feeling with artisan-designed floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and an original working fireplace.
“There’s your own private turret off the mezzanine, which is part of the new extension. You go up a spiral staircase to the turret and it overlooks all of Bungendore so you’ve got views of the sunset. It’s also a really beautiful feature.”
Open plan living.
Ms Velnaar said the sale presented a rare opportunity, with flexible living arrangements or scope for short stay accommodation.
“You could live in one side and Airbnb the other side or use the studio to do art and the cottage as a business or gallery. Alternatively, you could keep it as extra accommodation for teenagers or elderly parents.”
Outside, there are a range of fruit trees and a raised vegetable garden area, separate from the main garden, as well as 25,000 litres of rainwater storage across six tanks.
Additional extras include ducted gas heating and wood fires in both properties, and solar panels.
The property will go to auction on Saturday, 22 August at 2pm and is expected to fetch more than $1.4 million.
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