Living Like The Landed Gentry

The Age

Saturday November 10, 2007

Paul Edwards

Make a statement about your status with this grand colonial homestead, says Paul Edwards.

HIGHTON

2 Brasey Avenue

$980,000-plus

Private sale

Agent FitzGerald Property, 5244 4770

Melway 451 B12

BACK in the early days of colonisation it was fashionable for the gentry to flaunt their riches by commissioning enviable homes.

As an independent colony, Victoria was only two years old when this picture-perfect house was built. Greystanes dates back to 1853, around the time of the Old Melbourne Gaol and pre-dating Parliament House.

It is built on an exceptionally large block - just under 2700 square metres. The garden is showing the effects of drought in a few corners, but under that fine slate roof the structure seems as good as new.

"Actually, it might be a bit better," says owner Denise Marshall, who with husband Bill has lived here for 14 years. "We have brought it out of the 19th century and into the 21st. What were once servants' cellars are now extremely useful additions to the living space. And having such a large block, it would be possible to extend."

The Marshalls are moving to smaller accommodation and the home is for sale at a price guide of $980,000-plus. Several large old homes in greater Geelong have recently changed hands for $1 million or more; were the property in Kew, Brighton or Hawthorn it could fetch more than $2 million.

Highton is well stocked with fine old homes. Back in August 1868, the Geelong Advertiser commented favourably on the property: "Rooms ample and convenient, garden adorned with choice varieties of shrubs and flowers and well stocked with fruit bearing trees, vines etc."

The garden has deciduous trees including two towering acacias and one of Victoria's oldest Moreton Bay figs.

The property, Greystanes, was built by successful politician and businessman William Bright and set the standard for contemporaries wishing to make a statement about their style and wealth.

Originally known as Hermon Lodge, it was the district's first stone house, constructed of solid hewn and rough-course Barrabool sandstone with walls nearly half a metre thick.

Since then there have been several renovations and extensions, notably in the 1880s. Today it is best described as a hybrid of late colonial and early Victorian styles.

The facade features semi-circular arched windows, return verandas, slate roof and break-fronted gables, with stone roof finials adorning the entire building.

The 1880s also saw changes to the interior, including pressed metal covers on the original 3.3-metre ceilings, and arched windows.

The present floor plan has five main rooms, with a formal den, conservatory-style dining space, formal dining room and a large open-plan living room. There are two double bedrooms, although the owners say it would be simple to configure to three.

The kitchen is relatively new, with blackwood cupboards, stainless steel appliances and french doors giving access to the deep veranda.

The main bathroom has a clawfoot bath, marble tiles and full-depth windows looking on to a private, walled garden.

Down an internal spiral staircase or directly from the garden are the former cellars, now serving as a teenage retreat and storeroom. A feature here is the splendid colonial oven in its original fireplace.

About HIGHTON

? Always regarded as one of Geelong's more fashionable districts, Highton is, as the name suggests, in an elevated position and offers glimpses of the CBD and Corio Bay.

? The median price of homes in Highton - $315,000 - easily beats the regional average of $273,000.

? The Geelong Ring Road - due for completion in 2009 - will pass to the north of Highton, speeding access to Melbourne and beaches.

© 2007 The Age

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