Latest news with #GrandDesignsAustralia
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Ex-church reno'd on Grand Designs Australia could be yours
A couple who rescued an abandoned, dismantled Melbourne church and transformed it into a jaw-dropping house are selling their divine creation with $2.2m-$2.4m price hopes. Peter and Mary Riedel's journey to resurrect the property in South Gippsland was chronicled on the popular television show Grand Designs Australia. Mr Riedel said after seeing an advertisement in The Weekly Times for parts of an 1876-era Anglican Church that had been taken apart, he and his wife bought them at a clearing sale in 2009. It took two trucks to transport the ex-house of worship's various bits and pieces to an 8.34ha site at 25 Wirilda Way, Fish Creek, with frontage to Hoddle Creek. Mr and Ms Riedel then embarked on a massive renovation project. Before even starting on the house, their first task was to build a 600m-long switchback road to their address. Outdoors, they put in 8000 native plants that have since grown into mature trees. In resurrecting the church into a house, they aimed to retain its historic character. As an engineer, Mr Riedel took inspiration from old photos of the religious building from before it was dismantled. Named The Church House, the property nowadays features vaulted cedar ceilings, timber panelling, church windows, a ceiling that is 8m-high at the apex, multiple living zones, a sunroom that opens to a patio and four bedrooms with their own ensuites. A self-contained upstairs suite has another bedroom plus an ensuite, kitchenette and sitting area. A self-taught interior designer, Ms Riedel sourced the main front doors from a church in Lithuania. Indoors, a pulpit serves as a bookcase, and a blacksmith created many of the light fittings. The abode has views across South Gippsland's rolling hills and the Strzelecki Ranges. Across the property, there's a wine cellar, orchard, vineyard, olive grove, dam and walking trails. Although the house was originally designed to host the Riedels' six adult children and 16 grandchildren, in 2017 they decided to open it up as guest accommodation. 'Seventy per cent of our guests are international tourists with high occupancy between October and Easter – it's like having a dinner party every night, but you're cooking,' Mr Reidel said. Wilsons Promontory National Park is a 20-minute drive from The Church House and Melbourne is a 2.5-hour drive away. Castran director Lachlan Castran said buyers inquiring about the property included those who wanted it as a home or country retreat, while other people hope to continue operating the short-term accommodation while living on-site. 'I'm a bit of a sucker for the captivating views and also the absolute privacy that the property has,' Mr Castran said. 'With respect to the dwelling itself I think that the ceilings grab me and the sense of volume within the main room is amazing.' He added that The Church House had retained its unique character thanks to the Riedel's painstaking renovation. 'The kitchen and open-plan living and dining area is quite superb, and I think it's very sympathetic as well to the overall design,' Mr Castran said. The Church House is being sold via expressions of interest.
Mercury
21-07-2025
- Business
- Mercury
SOLD: Architectural marvel finds new Sydney owner
Spectacular and special, this one-of-a-kind Tassie home has a new owner. The architectural marvel known as Triptych has been sold, following a busy campaign. The 100-acre property at No.67 and 75 Grooms Hill Rd, Koonya, was sold for one of the highest prices for a Tasmanian home this year. The exact figure is undisclosed. MORE: Agency's event to raise children's cancer research funds Terrific Tynwald: 1830s estate with 10 bedrooms could be yours The Agency Hobart property partner Georgie Rayner said she was blown away by the 'outstanding result'. 'It was purchased by a Sydney-based buyer with international connections,' she said. 'I'm excited for both parties, and equally so for Tasmania. 'A property of such high quality in every way — something so extraordinary — it brought a lot of exposure to our state. 'People are looking for special properties in Tasmania. They want to buy here. 'With everything happening in the world at the moment, there seems to be a greater appreciation for all that Tasmania offers. 'People are not necessarily looking for a return on their investment, but rather the ultimate in escapism; and they are looking at our beautiful island. 'It's for their children and their own legacy.' MORE: Eight new record-breaking Tassie home sales Purr-fect opportunity: Premium veterinary investment The campaign, in collaboration with Sotheby's Sydney, reached every corner of the world, including more than a few 3am email inquiries from expats. 'I organised some FaceTime calls with people from overseas while on the property,' Ms Rayner said. 'There was a lot of interest from mainland-based buyers and local Tassie buyers, too. Some already live on the Tasman Peninsula and others from Hobart. 'Triptych grabbed the attention of people who are looking for something truly unique, private and beyond compare.' Triptych represents a bold architectural collaboration between award-winning firm Room 11 and property owner Jonathan Kneebone. This innovative property seamlessly blends cutting-edge design with Tasmania's stunning natural landscape, creating an immersive living experience. Featured on Grand Designs Australia and numerous magazine covers, the property consists of two distinct residences across separate 50-acre titles. The Blunt House serves as a floating architectural masterpiece, offering sophisticated accommodation with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, strategically positioned to maximise the spectacular surroundings. Contrasting dramatically, The Glass House emphasises transparency and landscape integration, featuring a bedroom with ensuite while maintaining complete privacy through thoughtful design. The estate includes a third structure called The Folly, specifically conceived as an experiential architectural element within the broader landscape composition.
Sydney Morning Herald
20-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
The 10 best homes for sale in Victoria right now
We've rounded up the best properties on the market right now to help you choose. 25 Wirilda Way, Fish Creek If you think the only sanctuary in Fish Creek is the famous art deco pub, lift your eyes up to the gorgeous Gippsland hills and the singularly spectacular Church House. Not many once-abandoned chapels can say that their restoration and reincarnation have featured on Grand Designs Australia, like this impressive one has. Today, the divine luxury accommodation destination sits on high, framed by bucolic countryside and a garden that includes an orchard, olive grove and tinkling creek. Agent Lachlan Castran says there's really nothing quite like 25 Wirilda Way. 'The thing that sets it apart is that it's completely ready to go as a business, but you'd just as easily have it as a country retreat,' he says. 'It's quite beautiful.' Under epic vaulted ceilings, the generous internal space spreads out to accommodate a living and dining room, a large kitchen and a sunroom. Smooth travertine floors sweep across an area where we're pretty sure we spied a pulpit, too.
The Age
20-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Age
The 10 best homes for sale in Victoria right now
We've rounded up the best properties on the market right now to help you choose. 25 Wirilda Way, Fish Creek If you think the only sanctuary in Fish Creek is the famous art deco pub, lift your eyes up to the gorgeous Gippsland hills and the singularly spectacular Church House. Not many once-abandoned chapels can say that their restoration and reincarnation have featured on Grand Designs Australia, like this impressive one has. Today, the divine luxury accommodation destination sits on high, framed by bucolic countryside and a garden that includes an orchard, olive grove and tinkling creek. Agent Lachlan Castran says there's really nothing quite like 25 Wirilda Way. 'The thing that sets it apart is that it's completely ready to go as a business, but you'd just as easily have it as a country retreat,' he says. 'It's quite beautiful.' Under epic vaulted ceilings, the generous internal space spreads out to accommodate a living and dining room, a large kitchen and a sunroom. Smooth travertine floors sweep across an area where we're pretty sure we spied a pulpit, too.
The Age
06-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Age
The June 7 Edition
Australians have always had a love affair with bricks and mortar, but in these uncertain times our homes have become even more of a steadying place in our lives. In this, our winter Style Issue, domestic cocooning is something of a theme, with Anthony Burke, the host of Grand Designs Australia, showing how function and beauty can coexist in even the most modest of homes, and landscape designer Kate Seddon demonstrating how gardens can bring so much joy and calm into our lives. Call it a nice dose of comfort reading. – Greg Callaghan, acting editor.
