Historic Southern Highlands estate up for sale with price guide of $12m

A grand country estate rich in history dating back to the 1880s located in the New South Wales’ Southern Highlands is up for sale with a price tag of $12 million.

The 4.54-hectare property at 4 Ranelagh Road in Burradoo, a suburb of Bowral, and known as Knoyle Estate, has a total of 2,000sq m of internal space with 31 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and space for six cars over four residences, including the two-storey main estate and three guest houses.

The residences consist of:

1. The main house: 1155sq m internal space with 14 bedrooms | 5 living/dining rooms | 7 bathrooms | 2 kitchens
2. Guest House 1 – 271sqm internal: 4 bedrooms | 2 living/dining rooms | 3 bathrooms
3. Guest House 2 – 200sqm internal: 5 bedrooms | 4 living/dining rooms | 2 bathrooms
4. Guest House 3 – 288sqm internal: 8 bedrooms | 1 living/dining room | 2 bathrooms

Knoyle Estate first hit the market at the start of 2022, but a fresh campaign is being launched by Knight Frank agents Nathan Berlyn and Andrew Blake, with the property now having a price guide of $12 million.

It is being sold by the current owners, Gary and Maryanne Nolan.

Mr Blake said the property was expected to attract a variety of buyers, including owner-occupiers intending to live in it, as well as investors and developers, particularly given the size of the landholding and the multitude of options for the property moving forward.

“The property could be used in its current form as a grand home, but there is also the opportunity to repurpose the residence, as well as to develop, subject to council approval and hence for it to instead be a commercial acquisition,” he said.

“Other possible uses include a bed and breakfast or a country hotel with the demand for premium accommodation in the area, a luxury wellness retreat, a wedding or events venue, a cooking school, an art gallery or even as a retail outlet for antique dealers.

“There is also the potential for a group homes and seniors’ living.

“The property currently sits on three titles, with the potential for subdivision and dual occupancies.

“Not only is it on a large landholding, but its location is ideal, being just a three-minute drive from the thriving town of Bowral, with its café culture and village atmosphere.”

Mr Berlyn said the property was steeped in history, being of great historical significance for Bowral and having ties to the Fairfax family.

“Knoyle Estate was designed by London architect Maurice Adams and built in the 1880s as a country retreat for Charles B Fairfax – the grandson of Herald founder John Fairfax – and his wife Florence,” he said.

“It has had a variety of uses, being a boarding school at one point, and the additions over time have created an incredible offering, with complete privacy and wide pretty garden vistas.

“It’s also one of the largest landholdings and oldest gardens in the suburb of Burradoo and the Southern Highlands region.”

Majestically situated on the highest point in Burradoo, Knoyle Estate is architecturally and historically like another former Fairfax family estate, Elaine, one of Sydney Harbour’s most significant properties.

The Queen Anne style has influences of the Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts style, with features of the main residence including an impressive entrance leading to a vast stair hall with sweeping cantilevered cedar staircase, detailed plaster arches, impeccably designed bay windows and 13-inch ceilings.

The park-like gardens feature rare specimen trees, lush green laws and beautiful flowers with century-old trees, mature plantings and full arch canopies, as well as an incredibly rare, permanent seven-level private labyrinth, a rewarding source of relaxation, refreshment and insight.

According to Knight Frank Research there were 147 prime sales ($2m+) that transacted in the Southern Highlands over 2022, with a total sales volume of $432 million.

Prime home values rose from an average $2.886 million in 2021 to be an average of $2.959 million in 2022.

Over the first quarter of Q1 this year, there have been 25 prime settled sales tallying to $81.3 million, with the average sale price rising further to now be $3,388,500.