Older homes in prime locations on the market and residential redevelopments are stirring interest in Goulburn’s central area.
A beautifully-presented, two-story home overlooking Victoria Park with two balcony views beyond the town was auctioned earlier this month with hopes of more than $500,000.
Freshly painted with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a gently curving staircase leading to the second level, 78 Deccan Street failed to raise a bid.
(Agents say homes listed for under $450,000 are driving much of the Sydney and Canberra investor interest.)
Across the road from the aquatic centre, which is to undergo a major upgrade including a new lap pool, and rose garden, the location is a drawcard. It is 10 minutes walk from Goulburn Base Hospital which soon will undergo a $120 million redevelopment.
Numbers 78 and 80 Deccan street are among only a few residential examples of the international/moderne/ocean liner style homes in Goulburn.
With a flat roof and metal window frames, each home sits on a 750 square metre block with a distinct style of the European architecture. No. 78 is cream rendered, No. 80 a biscuit-coloured brickwork.
Realtor James Nimmo of OneAgency, a Canberra-based agency active in Goulburn, says 78 Deccan was built in 1955.
“It has maintained its 1950s art deco feel through the front part. There is an extension to the back of the home, and a deck and the kitchen has been renovated.’’
Mr Nimmo says the owner had renovated and rented the home, which has an outdoor rear balcony above the garage with views to the northwest. When the tenants left, it received another upgrade. Windows on the rear extension are double glazed. The home is now on the market for $529,900.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the central areas older homes are either being bulldozed and replaced with denser developments, or are planned for demolition, raising attention of heritage advocates.
Architect and Goulburn Heritage Group spokesman David Penalver says whether properties are in the main street or a side street the concern is what impact any development, from an extension or complete knock down, will have on neighbouring properties.
“Many people are buying (a home) in order to add to it, or modernise. From a heritage point of view, providing the addition is done sympathetically, that is great, if it is a smaller addition.
“If it is a large addition, it really should be done as a contrast, so people looking at it can say, ‘ah this is the new, that is the old’.’’
The GHG has supported plans to demolish an old home at 163 Cowper Street and replace it with four detached, two-storey dwellings.
“Although members do not support the needless destruction of old buildings, we are supportive of this two-storey redevelopment simply because with larger open spaces between units (in keeping with existing nearby houses and gardens), this project will be of a far higher architectural standard than the tightly cramped villas currently degrading the inner charm of this city,’’ Mr Penalver said.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, March 4, Shanklin, a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home built about 1911 for Goulburn mayor and retailer John Knowlman, will be auctioned.
Listed with Raine and Horne’s Michael Gerstenberg, Shanklin was renovated about 1995, and last sold in 2001 for $537,500.
Behind a tall clipped hedge in prestigious Hurst Street, the home’s owners have upgraded the pool, installed an electric watering system and new air conditioning.
One of Goulburn’s best examples of a Queen Anne home, Shanklin has stained glass windows, a huge master bedroom, terracotta roof and an old ornamental petrol bowser at the end of the driveway. Buyer interest is strong from the Southern Highlands, Sydney and Goulburn.
The property’s listing initially invited expressions of interest over $1.2 million.
Picture at top: OneAgency calls for bids for 78 Deccan Street. Photo: John Thistleton. Above: 24 Hurst Street, Goulburn. Photo: Raine and Horne.
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