9 Elderslie Terrace, Newtown

Subscribe to regular market updates. Enchanting Laburnum presents a rare opportunity to own an historic cottage on a large block in the heart of Newtown. Built in the 1860s, it was known as an “artisan’s cottage”. Over its early years it housed some of Newtown’s earliest artisans including labourers, a barber, jeweller and a burler (a trade involved with the textile industry). According to the City of Greater Geelong’s Victorian Heritage database, the wooden cottage dates from 1866 when it was owned and occupied by Jane Lock. From 1880 and for the next 80 years it was owned by the Cortous family. In 1895 the cottage was extended from four to six rooms and a rear gable was added enclosing one of the two external chimneys. But only a handful of changes have been made since. Today, the double fronted cottage is in remarkable condition with many of its historic features still plain to see. Set back from the street, with a rambling front garden, it opens through an old timber door framed by ruby leadlight, While it’s definitely cottage-size, there are small and larger rooms to discover from here. Two bedrooms off the central hallway are laden with hallmarks of yesteryear. The first, looks out to the bullnose verandah and the garden. It has Victorian-style built-in cupboards either side of a beautiful fireplace. The second room features pretty vintage wall paper, timber wall panelling and a lofty walk-in cupboard. The hallway opens into a lounge room, the largest room in the cottage. With a fireplace that holds a gas log fire and double doors out to the rear garden, it provides a lovely place to relax. A step down to the left and you’re in the dining room – it’s one of the vendor’s favourite rooms. It is cosy and light with a timber ceiling and views of the side garden French doors. Side-by-side, but on different levels, these rooms are the heart of the home. It’s easy to imagine the evening activities that once took place here – the card games, needlework, reading and singing around the piano. But before we can get totally lost in the Victorian era, the kitchen jolts us into the 1970s. It’s one of the home’s delightful quirks. Tucked into a red brick recess that would have once housed a wood-fired stove, is a yellow and black retro oven and gas stove top made by Chef. And according to the vendor it still works! Elsewhere in the kitchen, which is big enough to host a table and chairs, are timber cupboards above and below an L-shaped bench and a large walk-in pantry. Much of the cottage is like something out of a story book. One of the most magical places lies at the top of a spiral staircase. At the landing is an attic bedroom with two single beds and a window-sized cutout that you have to bend to enter. Here you discover a little living room for the occupants of the little bedroom. Can you imagine the delight young children would have here? The vendor doesn’t have to imagine – it was once his special place. The gardens surrounded the cottage hold their own history and hint to more glorious times: there’s a rose garden, a fernery, abandoned vegetable beds and two water tanks. As would be expected, the property is subject to a heritage overlay. Any new owner would have to seek advice and permits from the City of Greater Geelong for a range of changes. For the right buyer, we expect the privilege of owning such an historic property and the experience of living in this wonderful pocket of Newtown will more than make up for the work required by council’s heritage regulations. Set in a tree-lined street with quality homes, the property is around the corner from the Newtown Football Club, close to the river precinct and schools, including Geelong College, Sacred Heart and St Joseph’s, and within easy reach of the Ring Road. Holy Spirit Parish School 83 Minerva Road Manifold Heights Manifold Heights Primary School Strachan Avenue Manifold Heights 135 Aphrasia Street Newtown Newtown Primary School Aberdeen Street Newtown 225 Church Street Geelong West Fyans Park Primary School 37 Cook Street Newtown Talbot Street Newtown Herne Hill Primary School 194-200 Church Street Geelong North Sacred Heart College Retreat Road Newtown Ashby Primary School 2 Lawton Avenue Geelong West St John's Lutheran School Geelong 33 Aberdeen Street Geelong Petrel Street Geelong West Chilwell Primary School 313a Pakington Street Newtown 13 Nicholas Street Newtown Hamlyn Banks Primary School 2-24 Chaucer Street Hamlyn Heights Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College Little Ryrie Street Geelong Montpellier Primary School Lambhill Crescent Highton Geelong South Primary School 200 Yarra Street South Geelong Belmont Primary School Mt Pleasant Road Belmont Libau Avenue Bell Park Highton Primary School 218 Roslyn Road Highton 143-147 Separation Street Bell Park Kardinia International College 29-31 Kardinia Drive Bell Post Hill Roslyn Primary School Roslyn Road Belmont North Geelong Secondary College 86 - 132 Separation St North Geelong Rotherham Street Belmont Barwon Valley School 76 - 94 Laura Avenue Belmont Bell Park North Primary School Barton Street Bell Park Bellaire Primary School 59-71 Larcombe Street Highton Oberon Primary School 28 Dorothy Avenue Belmont