Superbly situated Carmelite Monastery on 5000 sqm block at Red Hill to be auctioned

A Canberra institution will go under the hammer next month, and it could fetch a near-record price for the ACT.

The Carmelite order is selling its monastery on Mugga Way – known as the Golden Mile – in Red Hill after 50 years at the sprawling property at one of Canberra’s most prestigious addresses, and a sale of $8 million is expected.

The ACT sale record is held by the palatial 82 Empire Circuit, Deakin, which sold for $9 million in 2022.

The historic extended eight-bedroom 1936 residence at 28 Mugga Way is accompanied by a 1992 Paul Archibald-designed chapel.

Set on a 5000 sqm block backing onto the Red Hill Nature Reserve, the property also includes lush lawns, floral plantings, mature trees and productive gardens that have frequently been open for community events.

The home was originally built by influential Canberra journalist Joe Alexander and his wife Katherine on land sold to him by the former Prime Minister Billy Hughes. A plaque on a wall commemorates this.

The sales listing says that with a broad use purpose, there are opportunities to renovate or rebuild, subject to planning approvals.

“This eight-bedroom property would be an ideal setting for a magnificent dream residence, specialty or corporate retreat or, given its versatility, potentially another enterprise such as a rehearsal space or an organisation’s headquarters,” it says.

Highlights of the main residence include the richly dark Tudor panelling and diamond leadlight windows to the formal entry and living room and an art deco bathroom.

There are three more full bathrooms, one of which is an ensuite and another with multiple private shower cubicles.

There is a formal lounge with original concealed double doors, walnut panelling, an original fireplace, pelmet lighting and a vintage chandelier, and a number of versatile rooms.

There is an antique front door and more period fireplaces, but the property does have ducted heating and cooling.

An enclosed annexe leads to the chapel, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, pale rafters, a courtyard and four entry points.

It includes a full kitchen with servery and numerous rooms that could be used for meditation, counselling or office work. One has its own powder room.

The property is only a short walk to the Canberra Grammar School and Canberra Girls Grammar Schools and is close to Manuka, Red Hill and Deakin shopping centres.

The order’s Canberra chapter has folded, and the four remaining sisters have returned to Melbourne.

“Some of the older sisters need care, and we must go and support the community in different ways,” Sr Paula told Catholic Voice in July.

“But we do feel the human pain of leaving our friends here in Canberra.”

An enclosed order, sisters in the Canberra chapter have had more of a connection with the local people than those in Melbourne.

The Carmelites first came to Canberra at the invitation of the Archbishop to pray for the diocese.

The property is open for inspection on Saturday, 19 October, from 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm.

It will go to auction on 9 November.

Blackshaw Manuka is handling the sale.