Glebe mansion sells for $5 milllion

Rothwell Lodge, the 1840s Georgian Regency mansion spanning three levels, was sold earlier this year for a record setting $5 million through McGrath agent Michael Glynn.

With Otto Cserhalmi and Partners renovations, it is one of Glebe’s oldest colonial mansions set on a 1,000 square metre block, with rear factory workspace. Featuring classically proportioned spaces and 3.7 metre high ceilings, it was the home and office of the heritage architect, Otto Cserhalmi.

Its wrap-around verandah overlooks almost a landscaped park and it was among the social housing used during the Great Depression. The Ferry Road farmhouse once enjoyed Blackwattle Bay views east toward the City.

It was built for Rev William Boyce, the Methodist friend of Wigram Allen of Toxteth Park, whose second marriage was to Allen’s daughter, Mary. However, for many years it was a lodging house with a shoe-making warehouse factory at the rear.

The Glebe Society calls Rothwell Lodge an example of the post-Regency style (check out http://www.glebesociety.org.au for more information on that).

Ernest Pederson Reserve was once the front lawn of Rothwell which was bought by Robert Hannan.

Cserhalmi has been involved with prior Glebe renovations including 19a Toxteth Road, where a renovated historic 1898 church hall residence was sold for $4.1 million.

The suburb’s previous highest sale was Bowden, the 1886 Gothic Revival Victorian era mansion sold through McGrath for $4.2 million in 2011.

Montana, at 36 Boyce Road, was the first sale above $4 million in 2003 when the 1892 Federation-style house built for the Whetton family, who made money from marine contracting at Blackwattle Bay, fetched $4.01 million.

Glebe’s last landmark sale was the Queen Anne mansion, Hartford, though its sale price fell short of the desired $4 million plus expectations. The home of recruitment executive Randall Maple and his wife, Erica Maple-Pols, sold through Christie’s Ken Jacobs at $3.85 million.

Built for a Scottish doctor, E. Randolph Magnus, it sits on a 1,115-square-metre Glebe Point Road block. It is recalled that the home broke the suburb’s $1 million barrier when $1.75 million was paid back in 1989.

For more information and articles by Jonathan Chancellor visit www.propertyobserver.com.au