RETIREMENT projects don't come much bigger - or better - than this landmark home in Singleton.
The six-bedroom property known as 'Pelerin' is on the market almost 16 years after its owners Christine and John Henderson moved from Sydney to restore the heritage-listed home.
Pelerin is listed for sale for $2.68 million, a price that will break the current suburb record of $1.5 million.
"There is nothing like this house in the area, " listing agent Peter Dunn said.
"It is a spectacular home. It's in such a great, central spot and it's tucked away privately at the end of a cul-de-sac.
"It is a landmark home in the town."
The couple purchased the house in 2007 after an exhaustive seven-month search of more than 100 properties in areas such as the Southern Highlands, Orange and Bathurst.
Christine had undertaken several home renovation projects previously but nothing quite on the scale of Pelerin.
"The attraction was Pelerin the house because we thought it was a manageable project," Mr Henderson said.
"It is the biggest project we have worked on, easily. It was originally a five-year project but after 15, we didn't quite make the five-year deadline [laughs]."
The house dates back to the late 1800s, however, the original home was built in the 1830s as a four-bedroom residence with a drawing room, lobby, kitchen and verandah by Charles Dight in 1891 who retained the name Pelerin.
In the 1960s, the downstairs of the home was converted into three flats.
Since the Henderson family took ownership, Pelerin has been meticulously restored across its two levels.
Working with a heritage consultant, the couple retained many of the home's original features such as the grand staircase, leadlight glass in the doors and windows, marble fireplaces, high ceilings and wide skirting boards.
"They chopped up in badly in the 60s and we took it back as close to the original design as we could," Mr Henderson said.
"It took, frankly, a lot of work to get it back to the way it originally was. We tried our best to use the proper hardware and furniture that was originally here in the house.
"We were able to do everything we wanted to do to the home provided we respected its architectural integrity."
The home's Boom Time architecture has been brought back to its former glory, with new additions designed to complement the original style of the home.
The custom-built eat-in kitchen is in keeping with the style of the original home, with an IXL 6 twin over cooker and display cabinetry alongside the addition of Corian bench tops, a twin sink, a dishwasher and an island bench.
A grand formal loungeroom, formal dining room and sitting room each open onto the verandah.
There are six bedrooms, including the master with a walk-in robe and ensuite, and a guest suite with its own sitting room.
There is also a butler's pantry, an office and two bathrooms on each level, and wide return verandahs on both levels that extend the home's living areas.
"When we first arrived we put in a new kitchen, a new laundry and two new bathrooms," Mr Henderson said.
"Then we continued with the demolition of the old kitchens, a lot of painting, new curtains, light fittings, blinds, air conditioning and we also put in hydronic heating which keeps the house comfortable during winter."
The 3,370 square metre block includes a refurbished in-ground pool, landscaped gardens and an original sandstone coach house that is utilised as a seven-car garage with workshop and storage.
"We finished work on the home probably two months ago," Mr Henderson said.
"We have lived life in the meantime travelling nationally and internationally, but we wanted to leave the property on our terms.
"If somebody, like us 15 years ago, has just retired, this would be a wonderful project to take to the next level."
He said the decision to sell the home was an emotional experience.
"We are very sad to leave," he said.
"It is the longest we've ever lived in one house - we have lived in 26 or 27 houses around the world - but we love this place and it is a beautiful house, and it will always have a big place in our hearts.
"It has been an extraordinarily satisfying experience and whoever buys it will be very happy with it because it is very comfortable for an old home.
"It has the combination of beautiful old architecture with practical up-to-date amenities."
Inspection of the property is available by appointment via Peter Dunn Real Estate.
Mr Dunn said interest from buyers was strong, with much of the enquiry coming from the local area.
"Most of it has been from within the [Hunter] Valley and we have also had enquiry from Sydney but the majority has come from Newcastle and the Hunter," he said.
