Victorian grandeur re-created in a stunning country estate

For Victorian-era grandeur with a modern touch, ‘Hesed’ is a stunningly re-created country estate that provides exceptional value for any jaded city dweller looking for a tree change.

Only a five-minute drive from the centre of Albury and close to Rutherglen and other wineries of north-east Victoria, ‘Hesed’ is also strategically located between Melbourne and Canberra.

A wonderful family home or potential Bed and Breakfast, the 2.42 hectare (6 acres) property at Splitters Creek, was the brainchild of an Albury couple who wanted extra space and to re-create a tradition Victorian era home of the region.

Agent from Belle Real Estate Kingston, Ryan Broadhurst, said one half is Ken, a local optometrist, and the other an artist, Jo, with galleries in Sydney and Melbourne, for whom Albury is perfect for commuting between the two capitals.

Now they are downsizing after raising a family there but staying in the community they love, which attracts many other artists and actors.

Mr Broadhurst said the meticulously maintained 18-year-old home was not a restoration of an existing property but designed and built from scratch after a great deal of research.

“Jo’s grandparents hold a 19^th century home and a lot of it was based on that but they went around to a lot of the homes in that north-east pocket of Victoria and Riverina and researched styles and tried to recreate it as much as possible,” he said.

The result is a magnificent five-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with multiple living zones, veranda and a beautiful outdoor gazebo for entertaining, along with quiet reflection areas throughout the landscaped English gardens and orchard. All for a price range of $2-2.2 million.

The couple sourced master craftspeople and quality artisan materials for the project.

The jarrah floorboards from Western Australia were bought two years before construction so they could dry out further, while the granite for the family room fireplace and wall was sourced from a local church that had burnt down.

The large country kitchen boasts cedar cabinets handcrafted in Wangaratta, and is fitted with Carrera Marble benches, a walk-in pantry and quality appliances.

There are 12-foot high ceilings throughout the home, ornate cornices and beautifully finished interiors.

While Victorian might evoke images of dark and cold, the double and triple brick construction and wide windows ensure the opposite, insulating the home and filling it with light.

Mr Broadhurst said that apart from panel heaters in the bedrooms and in-floor heating in the bathrooms, the house needs little else, retaining heat in the winter and staying cool in the summer.

“Once that fire is going in that family room the granite heats up and retains that heat for days, and emits it through the house,” Mr Broadhurst said.

A detached double garage and workspace has been converted into an artist’s studio, which could revert to its original intention or be perfect for a home business.

The expansive manicured grounds, with automated irrigation, have mature trees and hedges, sweeping lawns, bluestone walls and a gravel driveway.

Mr Broadhurst said this was a rare property for the area.

“It’s a great recreation. They’ve done an awesome job,” he said.

The property at 2668 Riverina Highway, Splitters Creek, NSW, goes to auction on 30 May.

For more information contact Ryan Broadhurst on 0417 513 896 or go here.