‘Valahalla’ will capture your heart from the moment you step foot on the rambling 1,214m² grounds and glimpse the sheer elegance and carefree lifestyle of yesteryear from its iconic wrap-around verandahs.
This is also a home with a big heart, inviting large families of all ages to sprawl out across the formal and informal living spaces and five bedrooms, take a dip in the deep in-ground swimming pool or have a hit of tennis on the full-sized grass court.
Picture yourself living in a time when family life was centred around the home; where friends popped in for a fun game of tennis and a refreshing swim on a hot summer day, or gathered in the lounge for a drink before adjourning to the dining room for an evening meal on a chilly winter night.
Proudly displaying all the character features that make such homes timeless masterpieces, the craftsmanship of this colonial is evident – original fireplace with timber mantle, ornate archways, lofty 3.6 metre ceilings, wide polished pine floor boards, picture rails, vertical joinery, leadlight windows, and so much more.
Entry to the home is by way of a handsome timber door surrounded by intricate lead lights and framed by symmetrical floor to ceiling bay windows on either side. Inside, an arched formal dining and lounge – currently billiard room and lounge – are rimmed by wide verandahs and finished in the sumptuous architecture of the era.
Toward the rear of the upper level is the separate kitchen and adjoining meals room, both opening out onto a large rear deck capturing district views and overlooking the tennis court – just perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Also on the upper level is the master bedroom with ensuite and private study, which could easily be converted into a spacious walk-in wardrobe. Another two double bedrooms are located on this level.
The gently sloping block, which angles away to the rear of the block, means the home is low-set at the front – making for convenient pedestrian entry, and high set at the back – for easy access to the yard.
On the lower level are two further bedrooms, bathroom, large family/rumpus room and kitchenette, which open out to a big undercover patio on the western side of the home overlooking the tennis court – enabling easy catering for BBQs, pool parties and tennis gatherings.
The lay-out of the five bedrooms – three on the upper level and two on the lower – will accommodate families with younger or older children, providing teenagers with a space of their own downstairs and enabling small children to be close to their parents upstairs.
The lovely large (around 60,000 litres) pool is located on the Northern side of the home, capturing winter sun and helping to keep it warm year-round. Completing the picture of the sprawling family home is garaging for four vehicles.
This home is in a wonderful position for families with young or old children, being located in the coveted Ascot State School catchment and easy walking distance to the school ­ – just a few blocks away. It’s also close to some of Brisbane’s most well regarded private Schools including St Margaret’s, St Rita’s and Clayfield College.
In fact, it’s so handy that you may not need to take the car out more than a few times a week – it’s just around the corner to the post office, Vanilla Pod cafe, florist, and right behind it, by way of the back gate, is access to local shops including the IGA, newsagent, bakery and child friendly Oriel Park.
A short drive will take you to a range of shopping complexes including Clayfield Markets, Lutwyche and Toombool Shopping Centres, and the discount haven of DFO.
Of course, you’ll never be short of things to do, with Portside Hamilton and Racecourse Road only a few minute’s drive from the home, easy access to the city via the Inner City Bypass and Brisbane Airport only 4km away.
While the home is a comfortable and roomy family home currently, with some further renovation, it will become one of the truly iconic character homes Ascot is renowned for.
Importantly, because the property has not recently been refurbished, it is far more accessible. Once this home has been renovated, it will be pushed into the next price bracket – putting it out of reach for many.
This is a special home for those who think with their heads, but let their hearts guide them. Don’t delay inspection – such properties rarely come on the market and quickly find new owners.