Historic manor up for sale

A little piece of Wagga's history is for sale by tender through Fitzpatricks PCI Commercial.

The majestic-looking property has a rich history within the community.

Built in the late 1800s, the property was the Temperance Hall in 1877 and later purchased by Doctor Thomas William Watkins Burgess.

He constructed a house and doctor’s surgery at the site and opened a private hospital known as St Elmo in 1898.

His family lived upstairs while he operated his surgery from rooms downstairs.

The first meeting of the Women’s Liberal League was held at the residence in 1906 and Dr Burgess retired to Sydney in 1920.

Members of the Women’s Australian National Service, Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force, Australian Women's Army Service, Women’s Emergency Signalling Service and the Australian Women's Land Army trained at Kapooka during World War II.

The Wagga Women’s Service Hostel was opened at the premises on April 3, 1943 and offered these women accommodation.

The building became a civilian hostel on January 27, 1946 and has since hosted numerous weddings and celebrity guests.

Current owners, Barbara and James Little, purchased the house 35 years ago and have been operating a restaurant and bed and breakfast from the premises.

Fitzpatricks PCI Commercial’s commercial portfolio manager, Geoff Seymour, said the Little’s are nearing retirement and want to sell.

Mr Seymour said the property could fetch between $1.4 million and $1.5 million and he has received one enquiry since it went on the market on Friday.

Mr Seymour said the building is ideally suited in its current use or would suit office spaces or a home residence.

Upstairs has seven bedrooms, five ensuites, bathroom, kitchen and lounge or library and downstairs has a ballroom, two separate dining areas, bar, toilets and commercial kitchen.

For more information, contact Geoff Seymour on 6921 1555.

Tenders close at 5pm on May 14 at Commins Hendricks Solicitors.