Last Listing description (June 2016)
This property is the most unique, intriguing and exquisite home. Ridgeway is an incredible secret pocket of Hobart - literally six minutes drive to the hustle of the city but altogether another world.
Please Note! The accommodation available at this property consists of two separate dwellings The main house has 3 bedrooms/1bathroom and the second dwelling has 1 bedroom/1 bathroom.
Originally built in 1989 by a stone building restoration expert from France the main residence is western red cedar with stone covered sections and the most incredible stacked stone feature walls both internally and externally. At the rear of the main home lies every artists dream - a fully self-contained, rustic retreat at the centre of which an enormous gum tree grows, encapsulated in timber framing and windows - too special for words. Adjacent to this cottage is a fully functional workshop/studio.
Every section of this enchanting property has an almost surreal appeal. Windows - everywhere - views from every angle of the incredibly lush paddocks, dams and forest that make up this 9.25 acres, 3.75 hectares of land. Absolute privacy , absolute tranquility, ultimate sanctuary and less than ten minutes to the clinking of glasses and raised voices laughing at restaurants at Salamanca -you simply can t believe the city is at your fingertips.
The land is incredibly fertile, literally a sedimentary 'sink' - quite unusual in Ridgeway. At the lower paddocks a commercial market garden flourished for eight years with garlic and mixed vegetables with additional hot houses to produce magnificent basil. Everything is organic - obtaining organic certification should present no issue at all.
Closer to the home there is a nut paddock with thriving hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts nestled next to the 'duck pond'. In other sections of the land chestnuts are growing beautifully. A fruit orchard, completely fenced, contains apples, pears, cherries, currents, black berries, josta berries, raspberries, blueberries and gooseberries.
The irrigation of the entire property (despite being on mains water) is via three dams (all rebuilt within the last ten years and in top order), fed by a creek and a stream, which are the source of the gravity fed system. Two of the dams are large and very deep and used predominately for the irrigation (they are never empty) and the top dam is an overflow from an adjourning property - the 'duck pond' - currently duck-less as the owners pooch isn t a fan.
The driveway has been completely replaced. Graded back to the bed, cambered and re-surfaced with red gravel. The drive is rock based and solid.
Internally it is difficult to describe the inexplicably unique character of this home. Oak flooring with striking myrtle features, celery top poles and railings, myrtle and black heart sassafras bench tops, floor to ceiling windows to capture the incredible surroundings and western red cedar walls and cathedral ceilings.
Set over three levels, a mezzanine bedroom sits in the turret, sections of glass in the roof ensuring you are truly at one with nature. The centre section of the house is completely open plan incorporating living, dining and gourmet kitchen complete with quality gas and electrical appliances.
The ground floor is, like the rest of the home simply divine - there are treasures about this incredibly private space only an inspection can offer any hope to appreciate. Two further bedrooms (one currently configured as a library), the bathroom and separate powder room and laundry are all on this floor as well. This space is also completely floor heated - individual thermostats per room. A wood cooker which is flued through the home is also housed on this level. An entire section of this area completely opens up creating absolute synergy with the outside section. Incredible.
The artist s studio/cottage at the rear is simply the stuff of dreams. Rustic, conducive to complete relaxation and has an incredible 'healing' feel about it - as does this property in its entirety. The cottage is currently tenanted with approximately four months remaining on the lease but the tenant would love to stay on!
There are cow sheds/chicken sheds/fully replaced garden beds and the property is literally sprinkled with custom paths leading to garden seats overlooking dams or acreage or spectacular flower beds.
For an absolute lifestyle property for one very blessed person you have found it.
This property is to be viewed strictly by appointment and I welcome your call in order to have the opportunity to showcase this genuinely once in a lifetime opportunity to you.
'We have obtained all information in this document from sources we believe to be reliable; however, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Prospective purchasers are advised to carry out their own investigations'.