Bishop's Palace Ballarat: trophy home listing
A 19th Century gothic palace in Ballarat is up for June 14 tender.
The home of the first bishop of Ballarat Diocese at 1444 Sturt Street in Ballarat previously had an asking price of $6.5 million.
The heritage-listed property, set on 14,500 square metres, was built in 1873 as the new headquarters for the Ballarat Diocese and its first bishop, Dr Michael O’Connor.
It was designed by Melbourne architect Joseph Reed of Reed and Barnes for £6000. Reed also designed the State Library of Victoria and the Collins Street Independent Church.
Despite being built almost 150 years ago, the two-storey bluestone mansion is in good condition, allowing its new owners to live in it “as is”, said Neil Jens at PRD Nationwide Ballarat.
“It’s only ever had the ecclesiastical church and this family that bought it from about 20 years ago so it’s been beautifully cared for over the years,” he said.
The house features original finishes such as mahogany balustrades on the staircase, a private chapel with an altar of Italian marble with the arms of the then-pope and a two-level cast iron verandah with ecclesiastical designs.
The heritage listed property includes a wine cellar, a formal dining room that seats 50, formal sitting room and library.
While the property’s former life is a piece of of history, the architecture of the property is not typical of its era.
“It’s quite an unusual design of the time...It was built in a gothic style but it was built in the Victorian times,” said Jens.
The six-bedroom six bathroom palace also has modern luxuries including a spa pavillion, barbecue area and home gym, which was formerly the maids’ living quarters.
The castle can be reached by a winding driveway through a lush garden on the three and half acre block. The grounds include a water feature, rotunda and cubby house on its open paddock.
The property is one block from Lake Wendouree which hosted the rowing and canoeing events for the 1956 Summer Olympics.
While there has been limited interest in the property so far, those that have been drawn to the palace has “fallen in love with the home” for residential purposes, not just for its history said Jens.
Jens and Rob McClure are seeking tenders until June 14.
Joseph Reed's buildings include the classical State Library of Victoria (1856), Collins Street Independent Church (1867), Frederick Sargood's Rippon Lea Estate (1868) and Melbourne Trades Hall (1873).
The median house price in Ballarat is $315,000.
