In a world obsessed with modern, stark, clean lines and top-of-the-range everything from the tap to the blinds, it’s easy for some of the more historical buildings of our region to fade into the background.
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But for every cement planter, Alexa-driven downlight and minimalist bedroom nestled on a brand spanker of a floorplan out there, you can find a beauty already nestled in our midst.
We’ve taken a look around the region and found a handful of beautiful old buildings currently on the market that you could call home in the near future.
96 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon
The Coolamon School of Arts was officially opened in front of 50 people on a Friday night in July 1893, the Wagga Wagga Express reported in the following Tuesday edition. Now, the historical double-brick building in Coolamon’s main street can be yours for less than half the median price of a Sydney apartment – and none of the traffic. It’s got three over-sized bedrooms, open fireplaces, heating, cooling and beautiful, high pressed metal ceilings...and it’s across the road from a cheese factory.
93-95 Ford Street, Ganmain
The Ford Street post office was slated for construction in 1910 and resulted in this solid red brick building and a three-bedroom house on the same block. The post office has housed a vet business for seven years, so there’s income potential, and the weatherboard home has double bedrooms, high ceilings and loads of scope for renovations down the track.
16 Kitchener Street, Gundagai
Who wouldn’t want to live in a home practically built for the Instagram era? The former Gundagai Literary Institute was built circa 1925 and award-winning restorations 90 years later have it looking a dream. Ceilings soar at 4.2m, boasting chandeliers and beautiful high, curved windows. There’s leadlighting, three bedrooms, quality kitchen, ballroom-size living area… we’ll stop now. Just check out the pictures.
158 Green Street, Lockhart
Built by brothers George and Nicholas Laurantus in 1935, The Rio picture theatre has been lovingly restored into three self-contained apartments and a large theatre or event space in Lockhart’s main street. Registered as two dwellings on a single title, the Rio is being marketed as an opportunity for a large family or two families. And with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two storeys, three parking spaces, that huge theatre area and a mysterious “secret garden” and courtyard, you could hardly argue there’s not enough room.
26 Kyeamba Street, Mangoplah
Who doesn’t love a great conversion? Just half an hour from Wagga is this renovated gem, in what once was the Mangoplah garage. Now it’s a four-bedroom home spread over two levels, and there’s a massive powered shed with enough room for six cars out the back. At 1802sqm, the block is huge and you could have a field day with the garden.
64 Wollongough Street, Ungarie
Built in 1925 as the Commercial Banking Company (National Australia Bank), this western Riverina gem has been renovated into a three-bedroom home with formal living area, office, hobby room, formal dining area, meals room, sleepout, kitchen, walk-in pantry, laundry and bathroom. And, even cooler – the vault’s still there.
43, 45, 47, 49 Lisgar Street, Junee
All right, it’s not that grand at the moment – but you can definitely imagine how wonderful these terraces would come up. Built by George Dobbyns in 1886 as his home and a letting opportunity, Maud Terrace is named after his daughter. Each home has two bedrooms and a balcony on the second level, with formal lounge, kitchen, main bathroom and laundry downstairs.The wiring was updated a decade ago but the property has been unoccupied, making it a hot spot for youths to hang out at and vandalise. The terraces are asbestos-free thanks to the current owner’s initial renovation efforts, and while it will be sold as one property there is potential to convert to community title in the future. All in all, it’s set on an 1011sqm block with rear lane access.
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