An historic Hunter home could be set to break the suburb record for Bolwarra, after it was recently put on the market.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence that was built by a family of prominent Maitland jewelers between 1892 and 1894 is listed with Thompson & Clarke Real Estate's Sean Pratt.
"The property has just been listed this week and we are waiting to see where interest is at but it would likely be in the vicinity of mid-$3 million," Mr Pratt said of the home.
The record sale for a residential property in Bolwarra is $2.73 million paid for 'Illillawa', a circa 1880 four-bedroom, two-bathroom home on 2.7 acres at 52 Kensington Road in June last year.
The owners purchased the home, known as Virginia House, in 2005.
During their 18 years at the property, the couple meticulously restored it throughout and furnished the home with antique pieces.
Mr Pratt said the couple, who once owned an antique store, is selling to downsize into a smaller home.
Holding a commanding presence on 3180 square metres, the property has a long history in the area that dates back to 1890 when the Hart family purchased the land and constructed the Victorian Italianate-style two-level home named Ourinda House.
The agent said neighbours have contacted him offering information about the history of the property since it was listed for sale.
"It is quite a well-known home in the area," Mr Pratt said.
According to the agent, the house was sold to a local merchant name Ernest Twyford in 1913 who renamed the home Virginia House.
In 1941 the property was sold to Arthur Sarroff who held it as the family home for three generations until it was sold to the current owners in 2005.
Original features include verandahs with cast iron lacework, a white marble fireplace, tiles and cedar ornate over-mantle.
In addition to the bedrooms, the home offers a formal dining room, a sitting room, and a formal lounge (originally the ballroom), a family dining room, a sunroom and a large country-style kitchen with an original Gibson Simplex fuel stove as well as new Elan six-burner gas stove with two ovens.
Behind the dining room is an office and the linen room, which was originally the maid's room and the pantry.
The property also has original stables and a coach house, a studio space with stained glass windows, as well as a pool and a large bird aviary.
The median house value in Bolwarra is $928,000, according to CoreLogic.
To see more stories and read today's paper download the Newcastle Herald news app here.
