A STUNNINGLY-preserved Northcote house that dates back to 1912 is being tipped to smash the suburb’s sales record.
The house, at 215 Clarke St, could sell for a record $4 million, when it goes under the hammer on July 30, agents say.
The fully-restored Federation-era property, known as Lugano, comes with an inground pool, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, pressed metal ceilings and a widow’s walk lookout built onto the roof.
Owner Don Taig, a retired chief executive from the food and mining industries, has lived in the house with his family since 1990 and spent the better part of two decades meticulously returning it to its original condition.
“We’ve tried to keep the faith,” Mr Taig said.
Growing up in Northcote, he said he had long dreamt of one day owning the iconic property.
“I used to think that the king and queen lived there,” Mr Taig said.
Mr Taig’s efforts to restore the home were rewarded when the granddaughter of the original builder, Laurence Edwards, showed him a photo of her grandparents’ golden anniversary party that was held at the home.
“I was happy to see that I had achieved a result that was pretty close to the original,” Mr Taig said.
He has also kept a classic car collection to match the home, including a 1920 Buick that is almost as old as the house, a 1951 Bentley, formerly owned by former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu, and a rare 1950 Lea Francis.
He also owns a reed organ, dating back to 1895, he believes was once played by American author Mark Twain.
The Taigs said while sad to leave they were ready for a tree change.
“We see ourselves as custodians of this home and the best outcome for us is to pass it on in excellent condition to a family who will maintain its integrity as we have,” Mr Taig said.
Brace Real Estate’s Julian Butera said Lugano had long been regarded as the jewel in Northcote’s crown.
“It’s in a league of its own and vastly incomparable to anything else we’ve ever seen before,” Mr Butera said.
Brace Real Estate Thornbury, in conjunction with Jellis Craig Fitzroy, will auction the property on Saturday, July 30 at 3pm.
The sale is expected to eclipse recent sales in Northcote, including two properties that sold in February and May for undisclosed prices.
Last November, a five-bedroom Italianate tower home built in 1879 on a 966sq m block at 4 McLachlan St sold for $3.1 million.
And in October a four-bedroom house, circa 1885, on a 800sq m allotment at 51 James St sold for $3.05 million.
The median house price in Northcote jumped 10.5 per cent in the past 12 months to $1.05 million, according to the latest results from CoreLogic.
Originally published as Stunningly preserved Clarke St, Northcote, dates back to 1912, could set future record price
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