A rare piece of history: The Grange property lists on the market

Nestled on five hectares of green pastures in the charming town of South Pambula is a magnificent two-storey home surrounded by manicured lawns and park-like surroundings.

When you walk through the property, one cannot help but envy the worthy hosts who have previously occupied the expansive and well-maintained premises. 

The Grange at 15A Northview Drive has been a part of the town for more than 150 years. The building was originally built for Captain John Lloyd in 1844, a Royal Navy officer, as a grant in lieu for naval pay owing to him.

The four-bedroom home still stands today with its untouched exterior and scenic views.

When Lloyd died in 1868, the property remained part of the Lloyd family until the late 1880s. 

Over the next 90 years, The Grange passed through a number of hands who made sympathetic additions to the gracefully ageing property including a verandah that wraps the entire first floor, a garden and a water fountain.

Sometime during that period, the house was also included on the National Trust’s Register of Historic Buildings.

While the house has gone through many restorations, the owners have left the striking facade untouched, paying homage to its history.

The old stables adjacent to the homestead were also converted to a reception centre in the early 1980s.

Local resident Kirsty Pongratz had only visited the function centre at weddings and on special occasions including her 18th birthday. 

But when it came time for her own wedding, Pongratz only dreamed of having it at The Grange, which was on the market at the time.

“I took my then-fiance there and he just fell in love with it,” she said.

The couple bought the property in January 2015 for $1.235 million.

With a hospitality industry background, the couple already had experience owning a few venues such as Dulcie’s Cottage in Merimbula, and they had grand plans to turn The Grange into their dream venue to tie the knot.

As for the house, Pongratz and her husband used it as their private residence.

Upon entering, there is a charming fireplace at the centre of the living room and a separate fireplace by the kitchen. 

While the house still has a rustic allure, the modest touches of white paint, new kitchen appliances and plants that adorn different corners of the house add a brush of romantic appeal. 

The second floor contains four generously-sized bedrooms with sash windows offering an abundance of natural lighting. The bathrooms have also been revamped with gold touches, giving them an elegant touch.

“We wanted to keep a lot of the original features,” Pongratz said. 

“We gave it a new lick of paint and replaced all the floorboards because they were quite rundown.”

Pongratz is now selling her beloved home, giving buyers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history.

“While we will miss the property, it deserves someone who can look after it full-time … it’s too much of a big home to own remotely,” she said.

It’s a bittersweet sale for Pongratz who said she’d been spoiled with majestic views while living at The Grange and was fond of the time she had catching up with friends over a barbecue on the lawn.

“I got to live out this fantasy of living in this stunning home on this beautiful property,” she said.

“The house overlooks this beautiful garden that flows down the valley to a huge eucalyptus tree, which is where I got married under …  so we will miss it dearly.”

Pongratz hopes the new owners will put “their own stamp” on the house.

“While we only did a couple of things to the property, it made us feel like home,” she added.

“The Grange needs someone who will love it because it deserves to be nurtured and loved … it’s such a picturesque property and everyone has amazing memories here. It’s a beautiful space in a beautiful part of town.”