One of WA's oldest grand residences hits market
An important part of WA history has hit the market with the listing of one of the State's oldest grand residences — Faversham House in York.
Construction began an incredible 189 years ago in 1836, at a time when Governor James Stirling was in charge of the Swan River Colony.
Further afield, it was the year Oliver Twist was penned, when the Battle of Alamo took place and when King William IV reigned supreme.
If the walls could talk, they would speak of the pioneer families, recuperating soldiers, refugees, and of the more recent wedding parties and tourists.
Owner Eden Munro said the family had lovingly restored the grand old dame which they bought in 2022 to run as a bed and breakfast.
But after a death in the family, plans had changed, and they were now selling it as a private residence, albeit with permission to continue operating it as accommodation.
'We have some guests here who are enjoying the log-fire right now,' he said. Faversham House is listed for only $2.5 million. Credit: realestate.com.au / realestate.com.au
There is clearly no shortage of superlatives when describing the historic property, which is the grandest estate in WA's oldest inland town, built by one of the richest men on the era.
But now another superlative is in the mix, with 'craziest price' coming to mind, following its listing for only $2.5 million.
The bargain price includes some of the antique furniture and period fittings, including marble fireplaces.
Listed through Alan Bourke real estate, the home has 15 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms with a total of 1302sqm of indoor and verandah space, set on a massive 1.72 hectare block.
It also has a drawing room, a formal dining hall, a ballroom, a billiard room, a wine cellar and a library. It is located at 24 Grey Street in York. Credit: realestate.com.au / realestate.com.au The home has 15 bedrooms. Credit: realestate.com.au / realestate.com.au
Historic records show the estate was built by John Henry Monger — who became one of the richest men in WA at the time — partly through the saw mill he operated in the area now known as Lake Monger.
He walked 100km to York to seek new opportunities.
The commencement of the basement trails only a few years behind Patrick Taylor Cottage in Albany, built in 1832, which is the oldest surviving dwelling in WA.
Faversham was developed from 1850 with the help of convict labour. It was an integral part of the war effort in 1941, accommodating recuperating soldiers. By 1945 it was used to house refugees escaping from the war.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
One of WA's oldest grand residences hits market
HOUSE THAT takes an exclusive tour with the owner of an 1800's iconic heritage homes for sale in York, see inside the opulent ball, wall to floor library plus the secluded secret garden. An important part of WA history has hit the market with the listing of one of the State's oldest grand residences — Faversham House in York. Construction began an incredible 189 years ago in 1836, at a time when Governor James Stirling was in charge of the Swan River Colony. Further afield, it was the year Oliver Twist was penned, when the Battle of Alamo took place and when King William IV reigned supreme. If the walls could talk, they would speak of the pioneer families, recuperating soldiers, refugees, and of the more recent wedding parties and tourists. Owner Eden Munro said the family had lovingly restored the grand old dame which they bought in 2022 to run as a bed and breakfast. But after a death in the family, plans had changed, and they were now selling it as a private residence, albeit with permission to continue operating it as accommodation. 'We have some guests here who are enjoying the log-fire right now,' he said. Faversham House is listed for only $2.5 million. Credit: / There is clearly no shortage of superlatives when describing the historic property, which is the grandest estate in WA's oldest inland town, built by one of the richest men on the era. But now another superlative is in the mix, with 'craziest price' coming to mind, following its listing for only $2.5 million. The bargain price includes some of the antique furniture and period fittings, including marble fireplaces. Listed through Alan Bourke real estate, the home has 15 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms with a total of 1302sqm of indoor and verandah space, set on a massive 1.72 hectare block. It also has a drawing room, a formal dining hall, a ballroom, a billiard room, a wine cellar and a library. It is located at 24 Grey Street in York. Credit: / The home has 15 bedrooms. Credit: / Historic records show the estate was built by John Henry Monger — who became one of the richest men in WA at the time — partly through the saw mill he operated in the area now known as Lake Monger. He walked 100km to York to seek new opportunities. The commencement of the basement trails only a few years behind Patrick Taylor Cottage in Albany, built in 1832, which is the oldest surviving dwelling in WA. Faversham was developed from 1850 with the help of convict labour. It was an integral part of the war effort in 1941, accommodating recuperating soldiers. By 1945 it was used to house refugees escaping from the war.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘You live your life on these things': The King assembling the ‘Rolls-Royce' of furniture
King Living's success at the top end of town is contrary to some other Australian furniture brands that have faded into obscurity; Parker, Moran and Van Treight are brands King admired in earlier years but have each passed their peak. Mass-market player Nick Scali, which grew healthily during COVID lockdowns, had sales and profits reversed after the 2023 financial year. Lower-cost brands such as Temple and Webster and icon Ikea continue to attract younger customers for convenience and affordability. But there is no point being the best of the best if customers haven't heard of you. Priced about $6000 for a three-seater couch, most customers don't buy a King Living sofa until their mid-30s, when they're looking to 'graduate' from lower-priced, poorer-quality furniture that has started falling apart. 'When you get to about 40 or something, you realise 'I want something that's going to last',' King said. 'A lot of people save up for a long time to buy King.' But he is 'really aware' the brand needs to pique interest, even before the customer can afford it. Loading 'We probably are missing out on part of the market,' he said. 'There are younger people, first home buyers – they should be able to buy King. 'If you want to be the Rolls-Royce of furniture, how do you appeal to the younger market?' Is that how he wants King Living to be seen? 'We think we can do that, and we think we have ways to do that.' The business is working on broadening its range 'without compromise'. 'We cannot make a product that isn't brilliant, that people don't love,' he said. 'We need to meet the price point better, do both super luxury, quite expensive furniture and entry level as well.' The 100-year chess game By the end of the year, King Living will have 40 showrooms around the world. Half of these are in Australia, which last year sold $308.7 million worth of furniture, a 7.5 per cent rise on the year beforehand. The rest of the showrooms are spread across Asia, Britain, Canada and the US. An additional 10 are in the pipeline for 2026. Even Trump's tariffs won't discourage growth ambitions in the US, where a new showroom in Portland, Oregon is due to open. 'It's like playing a big game of chess,' King said. When Canada imposed tariffs of nearly 300 per cent on sofas being imported from China in 2021, King negotiated an exception by proving they weren't dumping cheap products into the market. 'Even [with] ridiculously high tariffs, our furniture is really good value for what it is. We can put [prices] up, keep our margins down, and stay in the business because we're there for the long term.' King Living's slower approach to its global rollout has largely met success, even where it wasn't expected. You'll find a King Living showroom in Calgary, Canada, which doesn't seem to make sense for its population of 1.7 million until you learn it's virtually winter six months of the year and people spend more time indoors. There were plenty of moments of doubt; opening in London and Vancouver were some of them. 'I always get that feeling: Have I done the wrong thing here? Is this wrong?' As preparations were made to launch in Singapore in 2015, King Living commissioned market research that found locals preferred European design and smaller furniture to fit their smaller apartments. 'It was very bad,' King said. 'Anyway, we sold, and have sold, so much furniture in Singapore … 'Australians are great at relaxing'. That's what Singaporeans started saying.' King's preferred style of ruling is as a laissez-faire mentor favouring young talent over old hands. After stepping back from the day to day in 2015 by hiring a chief executive, he still oversees and approves designs and drives the company's expansion strategy. Most of his design team were hired as university graduates. 'They're more willing to experiment. They're not as conservative. Even great designers seem to get more conservative with age.' King doesn't intend to step away any time soon but is firm on preparing the business for that eventuality so it will run smoothly well after his reign ends. 'If I wasn't here, someone else would do it just perfectly. That's the way we're set up.'
The Age
6 days ago
- The Age
‘You live your life on these things': The King assembling the ‘Rolls-Royce' of furniture
King Living's success at the top end of town is contrary to some other Australian furniture brands that have faded into obscurity; Parker, Moran and Van Treight are brands King admired in earlier years but have each passed their peak. Mass-market player Nick Scali, which grew healthily during COVID lockdowns, had sales and profits reversed after the 2023 financial year. Lower-cost brands such as Temple and Webster and icon Ikea continue to attract younger customers for convenience and affordability. But there is no point being the best of the best if customers haven't heard of you. Priced about $6000 for a three-seater couch, most customers don't buy a King Living sofa until their mid-30s, when they're looking to 'graduate' from lower-priced, poorer-quality furniture that has started falling apart. 'When you get to about 40 or something, you realise 'I want something that's going to last',' King said. 'A lot of people save up for a long time to buy King.' But he is 'really aware' the brand needs to pique interest, even before the customer can afford it. Loading 'We probably are missing out on part of the market,' he said. 'There are younger people, first home buyers – they should be able to buy King. 'If you want to be the Rolls-Royce of furniture, how do you appeal to the younger market?' Is that how he wants King Living to be seen? 'We think we can do that, and we think we have ways to do that.' The business is working on broadening its range 'without compromise'. 'We cannot make a product that isn't brilliant, that people don't love,' he said. 'We need to meet the price point better, do both super luxury, quite expensive furniture and entry level as well.' The 100-year chess game By the end of the year, King Living will have 40 showrooms around the world. Half of these are in Australia, which last year sold $308.7 million worth of furniture, a 7.5 per cent rise on the year beforehand. The rest of the showrooms are spread across Asia, Britain, Canada and the US. An additional 10 are in the pipeline for 2026. Even Trump's tariffs won't discourage growth ambitions in the US, where a new showroom in Portland, Oregon is due to open. 'It's like playing a big game of chess,' King said. When Canada imposed tariffs of nearly 300 per cent on sofas being imported from China in 2021, King negotiated an exception by proving they weren't dumping cheap products into the market. 'Even [with] ridiculously high tariffs, our furniture is really good value for what it is. We can put [prices] up, keep our margins down, and stay in the business because we're there for the long term.' King Living's slower approach to its global rollout has largely met success, even where it wasn't expected. You'll find a King Living showroom in Calgary, Canada, which doesn't seem to make sense for its population of 1.7 million until you learn it's virtually winter six months of the year and people spend more time indoors. There were plenty of moments of doubt; opening in London and Vancouver were some of them. 'I always get that feeling: Have I done the wrong thing here? Is this wrong?' As preparations were made to launch in Singapore in 2015, King Living commissioned market research that found locals preferred European design and smaller furniture to fit their smaller apartments. 'It was very bad,' King said. 'Anyway, we sold, and have sold, so much furniture in Singapore … 'Australians are great at relaxing'. That's what Singaporeans started saying.' King's preferred style of ruling is as a laissez-faire mentor favouring young talent over old hands. After stepping back from the day to day in 2015 by hiring a chief executive, he still oversees and approves designs and drives the company's expansion strategy. Most of his design team were hired as university graduates. 'They're more willing to experiment. They're not as conservative. Even great designers seem to get more conservative with age.' King doesn't intend to step away any time soon but is firm on preparing the business for that eventuality so it will run smoothly well after his reign ends. 'If I wasn't here, someone else would do it just perfectly. That's the way we're set up.'
