71 Empire Circuit, Forrest. This heritage home sits back on a landscaped corner location, with dual entrances. Photo: Suppied Nobel Prize winners once regularly toasted one another in this historic red-brick Forrest home that became the social hub of this leafy neighbourhood from the 1950s onwards.
Now, the former residence of a pioneer administrator of the Australian National University and the first Canberran of the Year, Ross Hohnen, is awaiting a new generation of owners.
This heritage home sits back on a beautifully landscaped 2614-square-metre corner location, with dual entrances.
71 Empire Circuit, Forrest. The formal lounge and elegant dining room open onto a stone terrace and then into the welcoming gardens. Photo: Suppied
Son Murray Hohnen says he remembers people were always dropping into the house as he was growing up.
“Mum (Phyllis) and dad were very gregarious and there was always a welcome drink or something on the stove,” he says.
“A lot of what became the final blueprint for the ANU was decided in the lounge and dining rooms.”
The landscaped garden also benefited from the influence of academics – its plants, shrubs and trees were hand-selected by leading botanists more than 60 years ago.
Murray says the mature hedges and plantings had “made many hiding places for generations of children”.
Inside, the formal lounge and elegant dining room open onto a stone terrace and then into the welcoming gardens.
Functionally, a central kitchen with many original features and a sunroom provide a northern light-filled focal point for casual meals while a separate scullery/laundry is set off to one side.
Three impressively sized bedrooms all have restful garden aspects with the main also including an en suite. The family bathroom is vintage while, opposite, a compact study has been created from a former dressing room, but could easily become a fourth bedroom.
The location could not be bettered with its close proximity to schools, the parliamentary triangle and Manuka shopping centre.
71 Empire Circuit, Forrest. Price guide: $2 million-plus. Agents: Peter Blackshaw Manuka, Mario Sanfrancesco 0412 488 027. Auction: Saturday, September 24, at 1pm, onsite. EER: 0.5. Inspect: Sunday, September 18, 11:30am-12:15pm.
Perfect for empty-nesters
Empty-nesters looking to downsize but maintain their privacy may find their ideal home in this architect-designed dual occupancy in Farrer.
This contemporary, three-bedroom residence at 34a Spafford Crescent sits behind an existing home on an entire block size of 962 square metres.
Owner Camille Bateman said the vision had been to create a unique, quality home and that meant strict attention to detail.
“So much of the build was customised to insure the integrity of the architectural design,” she says.
“For instance, streamlined gutters had to be designed to complement the pitch of the roof design.”
A magnificent cathedral-like ceiling is a highlight of this open-plan home and floods the kitchen and living and dining areas with natural light.
Sliding timber doors open to a north-facing entertainment deck complete with outdoor kitchen.
Camille believes the home will have strong appeal among those ready to downsize.
“It would be ideal for people who demand a high standard of living, but also want a low maintenance lifestyle,” she says.
“It’s a great place to live in or ready to lock and leave and go travelling.”
No. 34a Spafford Crescent, Farrer. Price guide: $750,000+. EER: 6.0. Agent: Ray White Canberra, Matt Shipard and Kerry Henshaw 0408 218 179 or 0421 651 198. Auction: Saturday, October 15, at 11am, onsite. Inspect: By appointment.