402 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill VIC 3350

History and modern comfort converge in this all-encompassing family home. This stunning, double-brick Victorian property has been fully renovated with modern comforts including solar panels and extended living space, and sits proudly in the prestigious Soldiers Hill locale. The home was built by a gold merchant in 1881, at the height of Ballarat’s historic gold-rush period. From the first step inside, this home’s warmth and history are made plain, whether by the soaring 15-foot ceilings, the mantled open fireplaces, the beautiful wrap-around verandas, or the elegant formal lounge. No convenience is spared, with the front door a mere 600m walk from Ballarat train station.

The elegant formal dining room enchants visitors with its lofty ceilings, box-bay windows and beautiful open fire. Dinner parties with friends are sure to be memorable in this distinguished space. Just across the hall is a formal lounge room, bathed in north-facing natural light with grand picture windows, and overlooking the private courtyard; it too features an open fire and 15-foot ceilings.

There are five spacious bedrooms. The palatial master bedroom has its own open fireplace and mantle, and is bound by a bay window. It features a designer walk-through robe to a full en-suite. A further two bathrooms service family and guests, along with three separate living spaces, including a kitchen/meal area, a charming family room with gas-log fire and coloured-glass skylight, and a lofted fifth bedroom that would make an equally fitting home office, rumpus room or retreat. The kitchen features new Corian benches, a new gas cooktop, a double oven, and a huge walk-in pantry, all suffused with natural light from the north-facing windows overlooking the lush, private rear gardens and courtyard.