"Bethel" a piece of Adelaide Hill's history originally built as a single storey tannery by Henry Timmins in 1853 then expanded by Jacobs c1880 with the addition of two more floors and a large workshop. The property is recognised as being a place of significant heritage interest and is the oldest surviving example of a tannery building in the State and retains high integrity.
Converted to an enchanting home this property will delight those seeking the character and charm of owning a historic building. The stone residence boasts low windows with garden views, deep stone sills, low beamed ceilings, white washed walls, exposed rafters, a unique shingle ceiling and unpainted stone walls as well as a round lead-light window high in the south gable wall on the upper floor. The kitchen and casual dining area have many interesting features including brick floor, Rayburn Stove with wet back, an old German table with a drawer houses the kitchen sink, open display shelving, and entrance door with a unique opening window.
The warm & inviting living/lounge boasts floors of hand sawn timber together with a trap door that opens to the lower level. The living room has a corner combustion heater and doors leading out to a balcony that overlooks the gorgeous rear garden.
The upper most room covers the full length of the building and is currently utilised as a bedroom, study and additional living area. The roughly hewn stone of the walls is subtly varied in colour; the exposed rafters are visually elegant against the intricate puzzle-like texture of the original shingle roof. There are 3 rooms in total that could be utilised as bedrooms with the main currently on the first level having bathroom nearby boasting Kanmantoo slate floors, claw footed bath, lovely round corner wash basin and an old fashioned shower rose over the bath.
Adjoining the home is a large workshop with windows providing views over the back terrace and a display of various strange original remnants from the days of Jacobs ownership. From the workshop a doorway and wooden steps with a rustic curved branch hand rail provides access to the terrace and leads down to an area covered with giant flagstones and then onto the garden.
Once in the garden you will discover an external door under the balcony that leads to the lowest level of the residence. This room has great character - This versatile basement room could have many uses and has over the years been a bedroom, a meeting room, a retreat, a study, a wine cellar and a storage room.
The private and shady rear garden is home an abundance of deciduous plants and flowers, a diverse variety of local birds and tranquil creek setting. An old garage on the eastern side of the property provides undercover car parking space together with room for storage, or a second workshop. There is also a wood shed with an original shingled roof.
"Bethel" boasts a premium location tucked in behind the main road in Nairne just two minutes away from the shops, service station, Post Office and local Restaurants.
