Property Summary
Property Description
As you travel a short distance south of Kyneton township, your eye is drawn to tall brick chimneys and slate roofline protruding through an established English garden. It is one of those historic properties that makes you pause and stir the imagination – you just know this must be something special. This is ‘Hollywood’ – one of Kyneton’s remarkable original and important historic houses. The Bett’s family chose this site to build their country house in 1897, for good reason. Situated on a hill, the views from the broad verandahs once had commanding views over the township and surrounding farmland. Today it is surrounded by 1.5 ha (3.7 acres) of the most important private gardens in Kyneton. The house has been a much loved family home for the past 127 years and is now available to the public for the first time in 30 years.
Hollywood comes with provenance. Historically noted and architecturally significant, the house was named because of the two Holly trees that frame the front of the house. The Bett’s family who at the time, lived in Collins St, Melbourne, built the house in 1897 in the Federation Queen Anne style, as their country house. Soon after 1905, the Lippe family purchased the property and lived there until Mrs. Lippe passed away after a cliff accident in Sydney. The property was auctioned on Thursday 14th Dec, 1922. By all accounts it was a highly sought after property and a well contested auction starting at £3000 pounds advancing by £100 and £50 pound bids. It was finally sold to Robert Robertson of Laverton for £3500 pounds. The auction notice read “comprising of 40 acres of choice agricultural land, situated 1/2 mile from Kyneton Railway Station, and having there a brick villa ( sewered and water laid on ) containing 8 rooms, bathroom, kitchen, pantry, washhouse and storeroom. Other improvements consist of Stables, cowshed, etc, and a good flower, fruit and vegetable garden”. Over the years, Hollywood had several owners including the Lightfoot family who used it as a successful stud farm, and the Pizer family. Hollywood was last sold in 1995.
Hollywood is the epitome of the country house. The long London Plane tree lined drive takes you to the ornate decorative entry gates and through a majestic private botanical garden to the front of the imposing brick house. Notable features include an imposing entry portico designed to make a statement to all visitors, deep verandahs, decorative posts and trimmings, brick archways and a wide entry door with elegant stain glass.
On entry the impressive entry hall leads you to a number of beautifully proportioned rooms which include a master bedroom, a number of further bedrooms, study/library, side hallway and huge dining room featuring a bow fronted stain glass window. The house also features 2 bathrooms, large laundry, mud room, sunroom, family room and a classic country kitchen which includes a Rayburn oven, modern oven and original pantry.
The interiors of the 268m2 homestead retain many original features expected from a house of the Federation Queen Anne period, including ornate marble fireplaces, stained glass, bay windows, high 3.87m ceilings, ornate cornices and ceiling rosettes, sash windows, wide floorboards, high skirting boards, wide architraves and many fixtures and fittings including chandeliers.
The gardens at Hollywood are of botanical importance and interest. Of particular note are the original plantings of holly trees, cabbage palms, Sequoia, Deodars, Elms, Golden Ash, Magnolia Grandiflora, Atlas Cedar, London Plane tree, pears, loquats and mulberries, to name a few. The woodland garden includes expansive private lawn areas, flower beds hedging, gateways, stone fences and pathways. Outbuildings include the 3 stall timber stables, carport and machinery storage, livestock ramps, large iron hayshed/tractor parking, and a large 9m x 5m shed. The property is serviced by mains power and town water.
‘Hollywood’ is located just outside the township of Kyneton, in the highly popular Macedon Ranges. The town, situated on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country, is known for its beautiful intact and historic streetscapes, lined with original cottages and manor houses, quaint stores, churches, gardens and parklands, on the banks of the Campaspe River. Kyneton is a historically, architecturally, and culturally rich region known for its numerous art galleries, festivals, farmers markets, cafe culture, eateries, museums and botanical garden established in the mid-1850’s. It claims to have the most artists per capita in Victoria. The township is serviced by leading schools, community services and the Bendigo-Melbourne rail service. The Calder Highway takes you to the Tullamarine Airport and Melbourne CBD within the hour. Hollywood is also spoilt by having numerous historic townships and hamlets at its door step, including Mount Macedon, Woodend, Daylesford, Trentham, and Malmsbury.
Whether Hollywood is your next family home, grand weekend country house, an exclusive accommodation venture or you wish to use your creative flair as an interior designer and are ready for a cosmetic restoration project – this house offers an exciting and unparalleled opportunity to own one of Kyneton’s and the Macedon Ranges truly remarkable historic country houses and gardens.
For further information or to arrange a private inspection, please contact Dominic Romeo on – 0438 500 277 or email – dominicromeo@circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au.
