A preserved piece of Wollongong heritage to go under the hammer

Lovers of character homes are expected to flock to the auction of a heritage-listed cottage built in 1914 by Wollongong coke maker Frank Figtree and home to the prominent Parkinson family.

One of few remaining original weatherboard homes in the area, 1/50 Atchison Street, Wollongong will go under the hammer on Saturday 16 September, with a price guide of $750,000.

The historic three-bedroom villa sits at the front of the block and is strata titled, with two townhouses constructed at the rear in 1997.

The NSW Government Heritage Register describes the home as being “of significance for Wollongong area for historical, aesthetic and representative reasons” and adds it “makes an important contribution to the streetscape, enhanced through unison with other historic buildings in its vicinity”.

DiJones Wollongong sales agent Jason Capelo said, with many original features preserved, the home was a rare find in the heart of Wollongong.

“There’s only a handful of properties like this in the area,” he said.

“It’s pretty rare to find a place like this in Wollongong with this history and age and in such good condition.

“It’s immaculate and has always been well maintained, with 10-foot ceilings, three period fireplaces, stunning timber floors and architraves and beautiful original leadlight windows.

“When you walk in, this home makes an unforgettable first impression. You think ‘Wow, this is cool, neat, different’.”

The weatherboard residence has a hipped corrugated iron roof and a decorative front porch that captures the morning sun. Alongside the timber front door is a plaque with the house name ‘Cooma’.

It retains a rear paved courtyard, ideal for entertaining, and a small grassed area big enough to grow veggies or for a small dog to run around.

Jason said the villa features “detail that you won’t find in today’s places”.

“The bedrooms are all big with super high ceilings. Two bedrooms have gorgeous working fireplaces which is pretty unique unless you live in the country or Melbourne,” he said.

There’s also a spectacular working fireplace in the living room, while the original wood-burning stove remains a feature in the kitchen.

“It has remnants of the original home, but also has modern ducted air conditioning and gas,” Jason said.

The original polished hardwood floors, timber tongue and groove lining boards throughout and timber windows with stained glass features add to the warmth and welcoming feel of years gone by.

“The main bedroom has a bay window seat that captures the morning sun,” Jason said.

“The home is super cosy and has a really homely feel with the big wide hallways and intricate timber work and picture rails – you just see stuff like this anymore.”

While the home is heritage listed, so has limits on changes to its exterior, Jason said people are “falling in love with its character and charm”.

“People love that it’s right in town but has that old-world charm,” he added.

“Because the price guide is under $800,000, it’s attracting interest from a lot of first home buyers due to the NSW First Home Owners grants.

“It’s super attractive for a young family, with three bedrooms and a nice living and dining area, and it’s in a great location for anyone looking to enter the property market.”

Located at the southern end of Atchison Street, Jason said the home can’t be built out with high rises.

“Down that bottom end of the street, no high rises can be built on that side of town,” he said.

With a north-easterly facing aspect, the inner city villa also boasts an oversized sunlight wrap-around verandah and a single on-site car space.

It’s just a short walk to the Wollongong CBD, shopping centres, hospital and popular City Beach.

To enquire about 1/50 Atchison Street, Wollongong contact Jason Capelo on 0424 372 722 or Joshua De Smuszko on 0450 889 236 at DiJones Wollongong.