Lure Of A Sandstone Landmark

Sun Herald

Sunday November 6, 2005

By MICHELLE SINGER PROPERTY WRITER

THE vendors of one of Lithgow's most historically significant homes have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars restoring the property.

But after 15 years of owning Lidsdale House on the Castlereagh Highway at Lidsdale, it's time to move on. The grand home is on the market with price expectations of more than $3.5 million. The 1912 sandstone landmark, built by mining magnate Frank Neubeck, is heritage listed with historically significant gardens designed by Paul Sorenson in the 1940s.

The Lithgow & District Family History Society said the home had even been a bed and breakfast after Neubeck sold it in the 1960s.

Lidsdale historian Faye Hasler, who grew up in the area, said Neubeck had four children and was well known throughout the area.

She said the grounds were beautiful and the Neubecks were once the owners of the only pool in the area, which was where children from the region learned to swim.

"Lidsdale had some of the most beautiful stone houses around, similar to those built in the Barossa," she said. "Many German Catholic families came and built the homes to live in but unfortunately most of them were knocked down in the 1950s."

Lidsdale Estate, over 10 hectares, has a bore-water swimming pool, with private beach, tennis court and orchard. The home has nine bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms, a self-contained top floor with new granite kitchen, glass-enclosed winter lounge room, living room and garden terrace.

The original ballroom is now a formal lounge room, and there is a second gourmet kitchen, glass sunroom and marble entry foyer.

Jennifer Aaron Real Estate director Jennifer Aaron said the home was in "amazing condition" but had potential for improvements.

"Significant amounts were invested to restore the home and the gardens," she said. "Upstairs was completed in 1953 and, although it's perfect, somebody might want to modernise it. It's all very liveable though."

The original larder is kept at a temperate 16 degrees year round.

The original timber work remains with jarrah hardwood floors from Western Australia well maintained.

Ms Aaron said the home led itself to many uses, including a day spa, conference centre, boutique hotel and gallery all subject to council approval.

© 2005 Sun Herald

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