Amazing Orange home steeped in local history comes up for sale
One of the most recognisable properties in Orange has come up for sale, with a grand Federation estate steeped in local history hitting the market.
If Orange had a royal family, then the clan of James Dalton would quite likely be it. The son of a convict, a young James was shipped out to Australia alone in the 1840s, but a couple of decades later he, his brother, and their eventually freed father set up shop in Orange.
Their humble store became the landmark Dalton Bros building and the once destitute family became one of the largest pastoral landholders in the country at that time.
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By the century’s end, James was so wealthy that he built some of Orange’s most spectacular homes including Mena on Kite St. Now that stately residence is ready for it’s next custodian.
“There’s just so much to say about Mena that it’s hard to know where to start,” said Scott Petersen, of McGrath Orange.
“It’s probably the most recognisable property in Orange and has become infamous because of its history with the Dalton family. They opened Orange up, and built many magnificent homes, just like this one.”
The period charmer, believed to have been built c1875 and designed by architect Benjamin Backhouse, is still a head-turner today. Thanks to a meticulous restoration, Mena maintains much of the original detail that James no doubt hand-picked almost 150 years ago.
“The current owners have had it 17 years, and they are to be commended in restoring it back to original condition,” Mr Petersen said. “It’s taken almost all that time to renovate, it was in a very different state when they bought it.”
Features include grand halls, 5m ceilings, cedar joinery, marble fireplaces, original tiles, stained glass windows and the intricate cast iron detailing of the facade.
Beyond the picture perfect Victorian facade, Mena has a formal entry foyer, and formal rooms such as a vast sitting room, decadent dining room, a music room and a library which opens out to the tranquil tessellated veranda.
There are five spacious bedrooms, including four with original fireplaces and one with an ensuite. The family bathroom has been sympathetically updated in classic black and white.
In the big eat in kitchen there is an abundance of storage space and a country style oven. Out the back the 2327sqm block has English-style gardens, established trees, level lawns, a stable block, garden shed, gardener’s cottage and full irrigation system with bore water.
For sale: By private treaty
Inspect: By appointment
Price guide: $2.6 million
Agent: McGrath Orange
Contact: Scott Petersen, on 0408 583 099
Land size: 2327sqm
Originally published as Amazing Orange home steeped in local history comes up for sale