In our property section this week we look at four renovated and refurbished, historic homesteads. Two have also undergone a renaissance as luxury accommodation.
Thoroughbred complex and a Wienholt homestead (above)
WASHPOOL LODGE, the thoroughbred facility considered to be Queensland’s leading breaking, spelling and pre-training complex and home to a residence which dates back to the Wienholt pastoral dynasty, will go to auction, this month.
Located on the Cunningham Highway outside Aratula, the multi-faceted operation was established in 1991 on 147 hectares.
The fully renovated, expansive homestead was originally built for war hero Captain Arnold Wienholt, around the turn of the 20th century.
Infrastructure includes more than 100 horse boxes across four sheds, which include wash bays, tie ups, feed and tack rooms. There are 80 stabled spelling paddocks plus 20, two hectare paddocks with shelters, a water walker, three undercover round yards, a treadmill and two, eight horse walkers. The complex also boasts a 1,000 metre track, and equestrian arena.
In addition, there’s a manager’s house with pool, office and staff accommodation.
Water is sourced from three bores, creek frontage and a 40 megalitre allocation.
Washpool Lodge was last sold in 2014, reputedly for $6 million.
Balblair and the Hancock timber milling empire
A HOME designed by architect, Charles Griffin, and named Balblair by its first owner, Henry Roy Hancock, a third-generation member of the successful sawmilling and manufacturing family, is scheduled to go to auction, this month.
It was built in Verry Street, Coorparoo, in 1936 and is described by selling agents as a “prime renovation project, DA approved plans for significant extensions”.
It is located on a 1,611sqm corner block.
The home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms and is set in sprawling gardens.
The two-level interior features high ornate ceilings and handcrafted timber detailing, a timber staircase, leadlight glass and several living spaces.
The grand formal lounge and dining room have a log fireplace, the sitting room has wide, north-facing windows and a spacious kitchen with equally spacious informal meal area.
There’s dual street access to the circular driveway with porte-cochere and a covered outdoor dining area.
Balblair was last on the market in 2018 when it sold for $2 million.
History and commercial enterprise in Vacy Hall
VACY Hall is a grand, 19th century mansion which operates as an award winning luxury, boutique hotel.
It was built in 1899, to replace the original Vacy Hall – a home commissioned for pastoralist, James Taylor, as a wedding gift for his daughter in 1873.
It is currently used as boutique accommodation with 10 bedrooms, seven bathrooms and nine working fireplaces.
The property boasts historic links to French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, explorer Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle, Governor General Lord Casey and Brisbane’s Newstead House.
The selling agents note that it is in “immaculate condition”.
The agents also suggest that “the opportunity exists to reinstate a modern interpretation of the original layout to create a Grand Family Residence” (subject to gaining all the necessary town planning approvals).
It is situated in Russell Street, Toowoomba, on a 3,900sqm allotment.
The home was last on the market in 2004, when it sold for $1.2 million.
Sthn Downs accommodation in heritage homestead
BRAESIDE Homestead at Dalveen on the Southern Down dates back to the 1870s when the four-room core of the home was built for Queensland pastoralist, politician and businessman, William Allan.
More rooms were added as the homestead was enlarged at times over the next 50 years. While it fell into some disrepair in the 1950s, it was almost derelict by the 1990s.
But restoration began and it is now fully restored. The last major building project – the building of a separate sandstone residence – was completed in 2012.
It is now promoted as an ideal country retreat offering rooms in the homestead and in a cottage near the main building.
The homestead is surrounded by three hectares of gardens beside Turner’s Creek.
According to the selling agents, it is a working beef cattle property (Charolais and Droughtmaster breeders) and there’s modern infrastructure and quality improvements across the almost 400-hectare landholding.
Braeside Homestead, on Crystal Mountain Road was last on the market in 2004, when it sold for $2.8 million.
