National Trust lists problematic Juniper Hall Paddington property for auction
Historic Juniper Hall in Paddington - once the Ormonde House Orphanage - is being cast aside by The National Trust of Australia.The colonial offering has been scheduled for September 18 auction, albeit on 99 year leasehold terms.
Its been listed through Laing + Simmons agent Michael Minogue inconjunction with Cushman & Wakefield agent Tony Anderson.
The now commercial office property was built in the 1820s, reputedly the oldest surviving mansion in the eastern suburbs dating back to the days of Governor Macquarie. The Georgian house was built for the third wife of Robert Cooper, who owned one of the first distilleries in the colony.
"It was a very difficult decision as we are in the business of conservation and all our properties are precious,'' Gerry Hayes, Director of Properties for the National Trust of Australia (NSW) told the Wentworth Courier.
``But it's the real world and like any corporate identity in hard financial times we are focused on making our assets work more efficiently.
``A lot of money is tied up in the property that could be better used to look after our other assets.''
The Trust secured Juniper Hall in 1984 with funds from different sources including community donations. It became a Bicentennial restoration project with State Government funds and the sponsorship of Amatil. Its purchase and restoration was also funded by the Paddington Society,, the Woollahra Committee, and Woollahra Council.
Its restoration was undertaken by achitect Clive Lucas who was given a RAIA merit award for conservation work.
The National Trust had believed that when it was restored, that Juniper Hall would be among its most successful buildings, but its been a problem property especially since the 1992 closure of the Museum of Australian Childhood.
The listing agent Michael Minogue has suggested that prior to feedback from its open for inspections it was too early to determine its value, and even its marketing is lacking direction, with suggestions it could suit "commercial office, business mixed use or grand residential manor."
The Society for the Relief of Destitute Children opened Ormond House in Oxford Street, Paddington for the reception of needy children in 1852. The Benevolent Society set up the society and leased the property. Ormond House was purchased by the Government and the running of it continued to be undertaken by the society. The government funding was withdrawn around 1880. It's been suggested part of the building was used as the first Childrens' Court. It was sold in around 1925 by the government.
