Launceston 1870s original ripe to be brought back to life

A 150-year-old property in need of some tender love and care has hit the market in the leafy streets of Launceston as buyers have their pick of century-old homes.

180 George St in the heart of Launceston is untouched from its original 1870s condition. Picture: Insitu Property.

A 150-year-old property in need of some tender love and care has hit the market in the leafy streets of Launceston as buyers have their pick of century-old homes.

It is one of those houses that captured locals’ attention for generations, largely because 180 George St in the heart of the city is untouched from its original 1870s condition.

Ornate Victorian features, including high ceilings, skirting ceiling roses and lacework, still feature prominently throughout the property and are ripe to be brought back to life. Only the kitchen has received a facelift, although that was back in the 1970s.

The home is also the only one of its era to be built with a north-easterly aspect, taking in spectacular views.

It was last sold off-market to a local buyer back in 2021 for $2m. This week, the property was officially listed for the first time in recent memory, with no further records of the home ever being transacted on property databases.

In situ Property agents Kristi Seymour and Jayne Bayles are marketing the property, noting particularly strong demand with six groups viewing the home in the first 48 hours of it being online.

“It has sat there untouched for so long,” Seymour said. “People have just been waiting for it to come on to the market. “I think it will be (sold to) a local family.”

The fully renovated, century-old home at 48 Mary Street, East Launceston.

For buyers looking for less to do around the home, the fully renovated property at 48 Mary St, East Launceston, may be more appealing.

Local real estate agent Eric Andersen is selling the property he and wife Anita have spent the past six years renovating into a luxe provincial home. The property was initially built in 1923 as a five-bedroom home, with the couple drawn to it because of its large and flat 1100sq m block. Now, the pre-war structure has four bedrooms, with one being converted into a spacious walk-in wardrobe off the master suite and another space now an office and library.

They are looking to retire to Melbourne to be closer to their kids and grandchildren.

The Agency’s Georgena Fragoulis is selling the property, with a price guide of $1.795m to $1.975m. Mr Andersen believes it is a fair price, given replacement sites in the current market would be well over $2.5m.

“It is still great value as there is absolutely nothing to do,” he said.

Mr Anderson says his favourite spot to relax is the so-called cigar room, not that he smokes. To the right of the entryway, the once formal lounge space is designed as a sitting room without a television, where the family enjoys sitting in front of the roaring fire as a record plays in the background.