The way the air moves in a room with high ceilings, the cool-to-touch walls bricked and rendered 100 years ago, the sun's rays filtering through leadlighting, windowsills so deep they double as a cuppa nook and the welcome creak of a floorboard underfoot… it's like a step back in time.
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Wagga might be in the middle of a housing construction boom, but there's something about a beautiful old building that just makes it a whole new world.
It's easy to forget about the beauty in our own backyard when there's so much going on around us.
We've scouted out some of the more historic Riverina buildings that have recently hit the market - you better start packing.
30 Belmore Street, Junee
Believe it or not, this is Junee, not Alice in Wonderland. It's hard to pass up the wonders of a historic home, especially ones that feel more like an estate than an address. Wind your way down the spiral staircase, mosey through the gardens and take your pick from a cottage or the rail carriage rooms that have been established for the current B&B operating at Belmore Manor. Not quite sure where the Cheshire Cat's hiding, but you could have a great time looking for it.
160-162 East Street, Narrandera
There's just something about old banks, isn't there? They're old, they're solid, they might have friendly ghosts but no doubt they're rich ones… but we digress. This old bank was built in 1883 and has had a few reincarnations over its almost 140 years. At one point it was converted into three self-containted units, and later a medical clinic. It still boasts eight - yes, *eight* - ornamental fireplaces, beautiful ornate ceilings and carved cedar skirting boards and balustrades. Oh, and it comes with a coach house. Perfect. *smokes pipe while reclining in overstuffed chair*
183 East Street, Narrandera
Ever fancied life in a beautiful old corner pub, with wide verandahs and a second-storey view? Sure, that's a specific scenario but it's one that can come true in Narrandera. The Narrandera Hotel is a solid brick building with colonial style verandahs and a beer garden out the back. The licence is still there but it hasn't been run as a pub - bar or dining - for a while. Upstairs there's a three-bedroom manager's quarters, then another 10 guest rooms and two wash rooms. Downstairs is the bar, games/lounge area with fireplace, cellar, cool room, commercial kitchen, dining room, function room and storage areas. This might be one you want or need to share with a few others, but let's be honest, there's more than enough room. Speaking of rooms, a few are currently rented to backpackers, so there's already an income.
8 Mackrell Street, Ungarie
Some might balk at the idea of living in an old church but for others, it's a dream come true. The foundation stone for Ungarie's old Anglican church, St Dunstan's, was laid in 1922 and was finished and licensed in September 1924. Almost a century later, it's in need of a new owner. It's huge inside, with beautiful high ceilings you could do wonders with in the future - just let your imagination run wild.
88 Tumut Street, Adelong
Now here's a treechange without leaving the Riverina. There's more than 140 years of history stored up in the walls of The Old Pharmacy nestled in Adelong's main street. For a building finished in 1877, there's a pretty impressive kitchen downstairs. While away your time upstairs on the balcony with a cuppa and a good book, or just watch the day go by. Make the building work for you with by renting out the shop front and hey presto, life's even easier.
96 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon
The Coolamon School of Arts was officially opened in front of 50 people on a Friday night in July 1893, the Wagga Wagga Express reported in the following Tuesday edition. Now, the historical double-brick building in Coolamon’s main street can be yours for less than half the median price of a Sydney apartment – and none of the traffic. It’s got three over-sized bedrooms, open fireplaces, heating, cooling and beautiful, high pressed metal ceilings...and it’s across the road from a cheese factory.
16 Kitchener Street, Gundagai
Who wouldn’t want to live in a home practically built for the Instagram era? The former Gundagai Literary Institute was built circa 1925 and award-winning restorations 90 years later have it looking a dream. Ceilings soar at 4.2m, boasting chandeliers and beautiful high, curved windows. There’s leadlighting, three bedrooms, quality kitchen, ballroom-size living area… we’ll stop now. Just check out the pictures.
158 Green Street, Lockhart
Built by brothers George and Nicholas Laurantus in 1935, The Rio picture theatre has been lovingly restored into three self-contained apartments and a large theatre or event space in Lockhart’s main street. Registered as two dwellings on a single title, the Rio is being marketed as an opportunity for a large family or two families. And with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two storeys, three parking spaces, that huge theatre area, and a mysterious “secret garden” and courtyard, you could hardly argue there’s not enough room.
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