Four Stunning Historic Homes in Perth
Perth has a rich architectural history, if you are willing to find its hidden gems. While our city may be considered extremely young compared to other places in the world, our share of beautiful historic houses date back to the mid to late nineteenth century and serve as a window to Perth’s past.
We’ve found four stunning historic homes dating back to the Federation era that have been restored to their former glory. We think they deserve the spotlight; do you?
The Breckler Mansion
19-21 Alexander Drive, Menora
Dubbed Perth’s own ‘Great Gatsby’, the dazzling mansion was constructed by renowned builder and designer Horace Costello in 1937. The home previously belonged to Perth’s famous Breckler family, whose fifth generation own and continue to operate the highly successful retail chain Betts Shoes.
The huge two-storey mansion in Menora, spans a 1822sqm block, offering over 800sqm of internal living space, which includes six bedrooms, four bathrooms, antique era trimmings, high ceilings, solid jarrah floorboards, a ballroom, billiard room, wine cellar, and shoe room. The mansion also has a swimming pool and outdoor toilet and powder room.
The home was granted an Art Deco Society of WA heritage award for its conservation and restoration works.
Penshurst Manor
51 View St, East Fremantle
Originally built for a sea captain in 1897, this grand Victorian residence once served as a lookout station for returning aircraft during WWII, was home to wealthy merchants, politicians and later converted to flats in 1941.
The four-bedroom, four bathroom two-storey residence has earnt its reputation as one of East Freo’s landmark heritage properties. Perched on the highest spot on top of Richmond hill, the 1228sqm block of land has 360-degree views of the River and Darling Range. In 2001, it was purchased and renovated over a period of twelve years, restoring the run-down manor to its original glory with contemporary finishes. The combined original limestone and brick construction has a 600sqm internal living space that includes a library, open-plan living and dining area, a new study and a wine cellar.
The Penshurst was entered into the state heritage register in 2000 and won the Western Heritage Award for Outstanding Conservation of a Residential Place in 2012.
Chiritta Homestead
56 The Esplanade, Peppermint Grove
This limestone Federation bungalow-style homestead was built between 1896 – 1899 and is considered one of WA’s most historic and prestigious homes. Sitting on the edge of the Swan River, this seven-bedroom home was originally built for Augustus Roe, the former police magistrate of WA and the son of John Septimus Roe – WA’s original surveyor general and one of Perth’s founding fathers.
Designed by turn-of-the-century architect and WWI general J Talbot Hobbs – who also designed the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Windsor Hotel, St Luke’s Rectory and Newspaper Home – the homestead sits on a 4080sqm block and includes an attic room, two studies, six bathrooms, wide verandahs, high ceilings, arched passageways and French doors.
With views over the Swan River and the city, this piece of history sits in a prime blue-chip location.
The Historic Annesley
49-51 Lawley Crescent, Mt Lawley
This Federation Queen Anne style single-storey brick and tile residence was originally built for Perth’s first car dealer Percy Armstrong in 1914. It underwent renovations in 1986, when it was registered for its cultural heritage significance.
The home was formerly used in a variety of ways; the Annesley Rest Home, Annesley Private Hospital and the Annesley Nursing Home before it was converted into a residential home. The quality of the home, combined with its gorgeous era themed garden and unique L-shaped plan, contributed to the Best Heritage Garden Award it received from the Mount Lawley Society.
The five-bedroom home includes antique decorated ceilings, jarrah parquetry flooring, timber verandahs, cast iron fireplaces, a grand formal dining area, a billiards room and an underground wine cellar. Each bedroom features its own garden vista, original fireplace and decorative ceiling.
These are just some of the homes that have been put up for sale on the prestige market over the last five years. If you have a prestige home in mind and want to purchase a slice of Perth’s history, give us a call on (08) 9417 3399 to speak with one of our brokers.
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