Boatbuilder Thomas Mews the younger was gifted the 10 acres this home once sat on in Angwin Street, East Fremantle by Queen Victoria for a peppercorn rent.
There was a clause that any “gold, silver and other precious metals on or under said lands” belonged to the monarch, who reserved the right to dig them up. Fortunately, none was found and this gorgeous old home, built around 1890, continues to sit majestically on the crest of the hill.
No doubt Mews the younger and those who came after made a packet subdividing the allotment over the years: This four-bedroom home sits on a relatively modest but, by contemporary standards, absolutely whopping 1065sqm. Beautifully terraced gardens and a lovely gazebo help provide a sense of isolated serenity.
There may not be any precious metal in the ground but a view that sweeps across the river and Stirling Bridge, the port and maritime museum, to Carnac and Rottnest Islands and the sparkling deep blue beyond to the horizon, is pure gold.
Angwin used to be Bellevue Street, the name of the house, which is emblazoned in the beautiful stained glass front door.
If you can drag yourself from the view and step inside you’ll find a mouthwatering domain full of charm and character, where of course, jarrah floors flow like chocolate and ceiling roses and fireplaces abound.
A huge formal lounge/dining area has French doors to the verandah—and the views.
As do some of the bedrooms, including the main, where the ensuite is a beautiful Delft blue and white—a nod to the vendor’s Dutch heritage perhaps.
Over its lifetime the solid old limestone home has been seamlessly extended and renovated creating a heritage home with all the benefits of a modern lifestyle.
The elevated corner block allows views from a variety of rooms, including the huge living/dining/kitchen.
The kitchen is a compact, gallery style, with gorgeous corian stone bench tops and sinks—with a swag of drawers and cupboards, including a huge pantry.
Banks of floor-to-ceiling doors off the dining/living space open onto the verandah and garden, with river views across to Buckland Hill.
No matter the time of year this is a stunning space to watch the world go by, or invite the gang over, there’s certainly room for a couple of football teams to party on the wide grassy expanse off the verandah.
A “secret” tunnel leads not to a wine cellar, as I’d thought, but to a huge, double garage and store room.
This is the chance to own a piece of WA history while enjoying a gracious lifestyle with all the trimmings.
by JENNY D’ANGER
18 Angwin St, East Fremantle
$2.65 million
Toby Astill 0410 855 803
Space Real Estate 9284 4008