Castle Hill grandmother says ‘no’ to $26 million offer for her home

CASTLE HILL resident ‘Ruth’ has been overwhelmed with messages of support for resisting a $26 million offer from a developer to sell her much loved home.

Ruth outside her Castle Hill home. Picture: Adam Ward

CASTLE Hill resident ‘Ruth’ has been overwhelmed with messages of support for resisting a $26 million offer from a developer to sell her much loved home.

The 82-year- old grandmother is refusing to budge from her property in Garthowen Cres, where she raised her six children and has happily lived for 55 years.

The prime piece of real estate — comprising of three blocks — is located across the road from Castle Towers and 200m from the future Sydney Metro North West.

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It is considered one of the highest-valued properties in the suburb. Zoning on her land has it earmarked for 20-storey apartments.

“Some have said ‘I am a silly old woman’ and I should sell; others have said I should sell and give $20 million to charity or to my children,’’ said Ruth, who doesn’t want to reveal her surname.

“But most have said ‘good on you’ because you have lived there all your life.’’

The backyard of Ruth’s Castle Hill home. Picture: Adam Ward

A local real estate agent approached Ruth with the lucrative offer from an undisclosed developer for her property.

It is not the first time the retired school teacher has received an expression of interest to buy her home. She has previously turned down frequent multi-million dollar bids for the rezoned land.

The popularity of the land around her home is understandable. The Hills Shire Council is currently in receipt of a proposal to build two 20-storey apartment buildings a stone’s throw from her home. And there are plenty of other high-rises in the works nearby.

Ruth’s property (left) is in close proximity to Castle Towers (background). Picture: Adam Ward

Ruth admits being staggered by the latest amount put on the table.

“I told the agent it was ridiculous,’’ she said.

“Even if they offered me $50m I don’t want to sell, but when I go my children will sell, this is something we have talked about.’’

Ruth and late husband, Elli, purchased the land back in 1961 for around $2400.

Artist's impression of the proposed development, looking east from Old Northern Rd. Source: Caladines Town Planning.

They paid another $2400 to build their home — and it later became the first in the neighbourhood to have a swimming pool. They acquired additional land to the rear and side of their home over the years.

Originally surrounded by farming land, she remembers them having to put up a fence to keep the cows out of their backyard.

Ruth likens her property to living in a treehouse and loves pottering around her garden, feeding the chooks and keeping out the local foxes.

Artist’s impression of the Castle Hill metro station, which is being built across the road from Ruth’s home.

It is just a short walk to the library, the bus stop and her doctor.

She believes many locals didn’t fully understand the changes the railway would bring to the Castle Hill.

Many of her neighbours have already sold to developers or are waiting to start negotiations.

One group of five amalgamated residences in the street sold for $20.5 million in late 2014.

“When everybody sells I will be very lonely, I will be sitting here by myself but my second oldest son lives down stairs,’’ Ruth said.

“At the moment, fortunately my health is good and I am so content here.’’