I did something silly today.
I knew I'd regret it. But I just couldn't resist. I could not stay away. Oh boy.
In the next village south from us an amazing group of properties has come on to the market. An old church subdivision. The church, the presbytery, the convent schoolhouse and some land are all being sold off for the first time ever. Today I had a look at the church, which is totally fabulous, peeked through the windows of the gorgeous convent school house. But it's the presbytery that has stolen my heart.
It's a building I've often admired. It stands tall, high on the hill, across the road from a riverside playground where I've spent many an hour gazing up at its grand but slightly dilapidated facade, whilst the children played on the swings. With its grand proportions, numerous rooms, gorgeous staircase and landings, it's a little bit Cloudstreet, a little bit Northanger Abbey.
It is cold, it's run down, boasts a basic kitchen and a shabby bathroom, yet it's the perfect house for our family to rattle around in. I can imagine the children running through the hallway, sitting on the landings and hiding in the huge spooky cupboard under stairs. We could spend summer evenings dining with friends on the wide verandahs overlooking the river.We could walk to the pub, the river and to the shops. We could say "more tea vicar?" Oh yes. I'm totally in crazy love. I don't think I will sleep tonight. As all three buildings are so close together, I think it's best to buy all three properties and live in the presbytery, run a business in the church and have friends come stay in the convent. You can come stay too if you like.
Of course, it's all total folly as we really don't want to move, nor do we have the money to do so. And the reality is, the place needs a tonne of work. And I reckon it would be bloody freezing too. It's just a dream. A crazy one. But my goodness it is a wonderful dream though.....
I took 143 photos of it today, here are a few, I edited as much as I could. If you want to buy it, the link is here. Tell my friend Ian I sent you. Please invite me over for if you do. For tea with the vicar.
I understand how this place has your heart racing....amazing! Visited Franklin once when in Tasmania, such a sleepy charm to the place!
ReplyDeleteOh Michelle...what a beautiful folly! Incredible. My eyes were drawn to the old kitchen dresser with the plates in it, I love old dressers and that one is a beauty. I will be taking a peek at real estate link :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, such great bones, and so much potential.
ReplyDeleteI would love to live here. x
Oh wouldn't that be splendid? But such a lot of work too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
Gasp. Heaven!
ReplyDeleteLove old buildings hey?
ReplyDeletebxx
I whole heartedly endorse your dream, I might borrow it. Wouldn't it be grand to actually do all that, It's nice to be swept away by something like that though.
ReplyDeletei have often admired that building too. a lot of work and money needed i think, i hope someone renovates it, it will look stunning.
ReplyDeleteAnd we can dream
I'd buy it in a heartbeat but the commute might kill me......
ReplyDeleteFab- I LOVE the pics. It is beautiful spot, Jxx
ReplyDeleteTotally love your dream home (though the swirly carpets would have to go!) Remember "we're all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars"-there's no harm in dreaming big!
ReplyDeleteOh my ... I can understand your love, could you just imagine what you could do with it (especially you !!!)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't resist taking a look through it on Saturday either :-) Piece of amazing local history I might not get to see inside again. For someone with the money and right skills, it would be a great buy. Maybe the presbytery as a guest house, the church as cafe/gallery/restaurant and the old convent as the owners home...
ReplyDeleteThat was my initial thought too Susan, but when I saw it I just loved the idea of living in the presbytery. I also think a lot the gorgeous proportions and symmetry are lost when bathrooms are added to every bedroom, which you generally need to do for a guest house. And then you have to clean them all!
DeleteI totally agree with your post.
DeleteSusan and I had pretty much the same thoughts.
I guess it is pretty hard not to when you see the place.
For someone with the money and skills this should turn out absolutely beautifully.
Before you get started on it I suggest you give Kevin a call at Grand Designs :-)
Gorgeous!!
DeleteBe careful about calling Kevin though...a shocking number of women renovating/building under his watchful eye end up needing a new nursery as well :) Scandalous!
Oh Michelle, I love your dreams. I'm too much of a realist to even let my dreams fly! The strange thing is that I've never noticed it before! Hey maybe PMM would like a challenge, she's keen to move to Tas. How wonderful would it be to have Lexi in the neighbourhood. But I can imagine cooking/baking/eating would play a big part in any business. Hope you managed to get some sleep!
ReplyDeleteI can see exactly why it has stolen your heart. It is truly beautiful. I have a thing for old buildings too and have a dream to live in an old rambling farmhouse some day.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I get it..these would be a dream come true. One day I will have such a home :)
ReplyDeletex
It's gorgeous!! I could totally imagine swanning around there with all the kids running amok. I'd pretend I was Lady of the manor Downton Abby style :-) I think Ian should direct potential buyers to your post to further capture the dream too. Will be interesting to see what becomes of it. Mel x
ReplyDeleteOh I can imagine it now - Country Style August 2035: Carol and Michael moved from Victoria to the outskirts of Hobart after seeing the Presbytery on the blog of gorgeous Michelle of Hugo and Elsa. A mere 23 years later it is restored to its former beauty and is now a testament to their hard work, arguments, diminshed bank account and sanity.
ReplyDeleteIt is glorious Michelle, I would happily have tea with you and the vicar. Aren't daydreams just fabulous?
Carol
Amazing. That view from the verandah - and the staircase! I would be right there dreaming with you if I was closer. You would make this into such a beautiful home. But if not you (sob!) I hope she finds some sympathetic hands to treat her well.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, I can understand why it's set you dreaming. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Michelle, I can see why you have been swept up in this lovely dream, I can imagine drinking tea on the verandah and gazing over at the river. Inspired by this piece of history I bought myself a lotto ticket today, if I win millions of dollars tonight I will buy all three properties and will employ you as the caretaker and you will be free to do as you wish with the buildings as long as there is a warm bed for me and my family when we visit from the mainland, as well as an endless tea pot of tea and your jam on home baked bread. I too am a dreamer, but isn't it a nice hobby?.......Pleasant dreams, Amanda
ReplyDeleteOh my god, I wouldn't be sleeping either!! So fabulous, so much history, so beautiful. I hope whoever buys it fills it with children, dogs, warm fires and life. These kind of special properties don't come along every day...xo
ReplyDeleteOh, she's just beautiful.....
ReplyDeleteThey say good things come to those who wait....hhmmm, she is just lovely. I have (many!) dream houses too....hopefully our dreams do come true....one day.
Wow, thanks for showing us this wonderful little piece of history. Yes, I would buy it and everything in it if I were flushed. But alas I am not. Thanks for sharing your little dream, tea would have been delightful, with or without a vicar! I hope it is not 'developed', being three properties up for grabs!
ReplyDeleteWell Michelle, The Presbytery will miss you. Its a perfect place for your Cooking School with enough room for Crawford Organic Petroleum to set up head office! If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw all the For Sale signs go up. A refurbished church would be so lovely.
ReplyDeleteGet the consortium together and buy it! We would love you all here in Franklin. Would make a great boutique wedding, conference, function centre - and a wonderful home to boot.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Shane Johnson
ooh, so lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe best part? It's for sale by Ken Studley....Ken STUDLEY! That is just gold.
ReplyDeleteWe loved this presbytery so much we bought it! Just waiting for contracts to finalise things. I stumbled on your blog while searching history of the place! We can't wait to make it home. Cate
ReplyDeleteOh Cate! Congratulations! How very exciting! I'm sure you'll take very good care of her.
ReplyDelete