A historic farming property in the Adelaide Hills could be converted to a grand venue for weddings and other functions after its long-term owners listed it for sale.
Allambie, at 438 Back Callington Road, St Ives, was established by early settler and local farming pioneer Wilhelm Werner in 1847, making it one of the earliest farms in the Callington district.
438 Back Callington Rd, St Ives. Supplied
The property is packed with potential. Supplied
The picturesque drive in. Supplied
The picturesque 11.04ha property includes the original settler’s cottage, a stone barn and shearing shed, shearer’s quarters and other historical outbuildings, as well as a main homestead.
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Selling agent Tom Weston, of Weston Properties, said it was rare to find century-old stone buildings in such remarkable condition and expected there to be considerable commercial interest in the property.
He said an offer matching the $1.35m asking price had already been received from a buyer looking to retain the property as a private dwelling.
Some of the historic buildings. Supplied
Another of the old buildings. Supplied
Inside one of the outbuildings. Supplied
Character aplenty. Supplied
However, Allambie would remain on the market until at least another open inspection was held this weekend to see what other offers were received, Mr Weston said.
“It’s quite a special property in terms of the age of the buildings and their condition – they haven’t really been messed with (altered) a lot,” he said.
“It’s the kind of property that would be well suited to events. There’s the big barn (for functions) and, with all the buildings close together, someone could really make something of it.
“Obviously, weddings could do well – you could do something like they’ve done at (popular wedding venue) Mandalay, which is not far away from this.
The home’s grand exterior. Supplied
One of the outdoor sitting areas. Supplied
The home’s grand kitchen. Supplied
The dining area. Supplied
“You would need to spend a lot of money to get it up to speed from that commercial perspective but it can be done.”
Mr Weston said the character of the old buildings, particularly the barn, was a major drawcard.
“It is a rare property – you don’t see many come up like this,” he said.
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“A lot of barns that were of that era haven’t survived or they’re more timber and galvanised structures so to still have that (barn at Allambie) is quite special.
“It’s like something you would find in the Barossa (Valley).”
He said the Mount Barker Creek, home to “big fish, turtles and yabbies” ran through the property, which was once the heart of a large sheep station.
A light-filled living area. Supplied
The home’s luxe bathroom. Supplied
In the first week of listing, Mr Weston said interest had come only from owner-occupier buyers, with some seeking to move into the main homestead and then have their ageing parents live nearby in either the settler’s cottage or shearer’s quarters.
An adjoining 130ha block of land, suitable for stock grazing, is also available for sale, with a price guide of $1.5m.
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– by Lauren Ahwan