This gorgeous Victorian style home owned by the same family for 90 years went under the hammer on Sunday. Check out excerpts from Domain's live auction coverage.
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One of the earliest surviving houses in the district and a rare example of a mid-Victorian sandstone house in the Rockdale area, Forsythe is a heritage-listed home sitting on the northern border of this little-known suburb.
Only 12 kilometres south of Sydney’s CBD and a 10-minute drive from Marrickville, Bardwell Valley was once home to market gardens and piggeries. Until the 1950s, Forsythe was one of only a scattering of homes in the area.
Cut from the nearby Undercliffe Road quarry, it was built by Samuel Jeeves who established a successful wool scouring business along Wolli Creek.
57 Hannam Street, Bardwell Valley has been renovated carefully to preserve the original sandstone features Photo: supplied
The once-detached sandstone building at the back of the main house was originally used for wool-washing but today is a highlight of the property, with its honey-toned walls and 14-foot vaulted ceiling. It’s attached to an equally inviting, skylit kitchen with travertine floors, white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances including a 900mm Ilve oven.
Sun-filled family living spaces wrap around the north-east elbow of the house and include a covered verandah that looks over the lawn to the pool and a towering Norfolk pine.
You can feel the history when you walk through the house. It’s a great family home and so close to the city. The same house in Newtown would be at least double the price.Alexandra Stamatiou-Buda, McGrath Inner West
At the front of the property you’ll find a large bedroom and a home office with impressive western red cedar joinery opening through French doors onto the front verandah.
57 Hannam Street, Bardwell Valley is a step back in time Photo: supplied
The master suite is upstairs and features a generous walk-in wardrobe and an en suite with Carrara marble tiled floors and an oversized rain shower. There are two more bedrooms and two bathrooms split between the back and front sections of the house.
A careful renovation by heritage architect Pearson-Smith has ensured the period features shine, including high ceilings with central roses, a stairwell turned in Australian cedar and kauri pine and four original fireplaces.
The unusually large block provides plenty of play space for the kids, with a side drive leading to a tandem carport.
57 Hannam Street, Bardwell Valley Photo: supplied
Coolibah Reserve, which includes a playground, sits at the western end of the street and it’s an easy 10-minute walk to Turrella Station. And while the airport is also close by, the home is not under the flight path.
57 Hannam Street, Bardwell Valley
$2 million
4 bed 3 bath 4 car
Auction: March 16,
Agent: Alexandra Stamatiou-Buda, McGrath Inner West 0415 901 279
See more at domain.com.au
Need to know
Built in 1867; renovated 2005.
Land area is 1056 square metres.
Last traded for $805,000 in 2002. The highest recorded house price in Bardwell Valley for the past 12 months is $1.52 million for 52 Lorraine Avenue (March 2016). The median price for houses is $1,162,500
57 Hannam Street, Bardwell Valley Photo: supplied
Recent Sales:
$1.5 million 18 Lapis Crescent in March 2016
$1,401,000 15 Hamilton Street in October 2016
$1.4 million 48a The Glen Road in January 2017