Ballarat East church transformed from $520k to $1.8m home

The former $520k Ballarat East church now has a $1.8m price guide.

A rundown Ballarat East church bought for about $520,000 five years ago has been transformed into a $1.8m architectural showpiece and is now hitting the market alongside its matching 1910 schoolhouse.

The former Wesleyan church at 18A Berkeley St has a $1.788m price guide, while the neighbouring schoolhouse at 18B is listed at $729,000.

Both properties are being sold by the same owner, creating one of the rarest dual offerings seen in the area.

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Belle Property Daylesford agent Natalie Fagan said the pair had become a “unicorn” listing.

“It is incredibly rare to get two properties side-by-side offered by the same owner,” Ms Fagan said.

“One is fully transformed and the other is still in its raw historic state. Together they feel magical, it’s insane.”

The 1860s church has been rebuilt as a five bedroom designer home.

Original leadlight windows now sit behind a full double glazed system.

The church has undergone a complete redesign by Melbourne architect James Jamieson of Niimori Jamison and now features soaring ceilings, Baltic pine floors, polished concrete and a dramatic six metre door that opens into a private internal courtyard.

A double glazed system has been built in front of every leadlight to solve the ventilation and thermal issues that normally plague church conversions.

“You can open the glazing downstairs and upstairs and the fresh air pulls right through the whole building,” Ms Fagan said.

“It solves the biggest issue church conversions have.”

Architect James Jamieson oversaw the full transformation of the historic building.

The kitchen blends modern finishes with the scale of the old church hall.

Hydronic heating, insulation upgrades and a self contained studio above the garage complete the home.

“If this church were in Melbourne it would be double the price easily,” Ms Fagan said.

“People are moving regional for private schools, lower costs and lifestyle.

A large walk in robe connects to the private bedroom wing.

The converted church now functions as a spacious family home.

Next door the 1910 schoolhouse delivers a raw New York loft feel with timber walls, Baltic floors and a vast open hall with soaring scale. The home has three adaptable bedrooms arranged around a central pod and was rewired in 2018.
Ms Fagan said the photos of the school house “don’t do it justice” and looks much bigger in person.

“Everyone who walks in says the same thing, this is so much bigger than I thought,” she said.

“The scale is enormous.”

“If you can get design like this and feel fifty per cent more relaxed it is a no-brainer.”

Next door the 1910 schoolhouse is also for sale with a $729k guide.

Inside the schoolhouse are Baltic floors and soaring open plan spaces.

The schoolhouse also comes with a twist, the Belle Property Daylesford agent told the Herald Sun there was a previously approved planning permit for a commercial frontage at the rear of the property.
“The laneway between the buildings was even designed for cafe seating,” Ms Fagan said.

“That sets up the possibility of a buyer who wants a live and work lifestyle.”

“You could live in the church and walk straight through the laneway into your own studio gallery or cafe, the flexibility is huge.”

A loft style layout creates multiple flexible zones for living or working.

Warm timber tones and high ceilings give the room its golden glow.

The dual listing gives the buyer control of an entire heritage micro precinct on the border of Ballarat East and Bakery Hill.

A popular cafe sits one block behind the laneway with Bridge Mall and JB Hi Fi about a ten to fifteen minute walk away.

“Melbourne money is absolutely coming into Ballarat, one hundred per cent yes,” Ms Fagan said.

“Artists, creatives and community groups all see the potential for studios and workshops.”

The schoolhouse had a previous permit for a commercial frontage offering strong live work potential.

The church also carries deep community significance. Australian art critic, novelist and cartoonist Norman Lindsay’s parents were married there in 1869.

Locals have contacted Ms Fagan asking for photos of stained glass and features they remember from childhood.

“One man asked for a photo of a window he used to stare at as a boy before he became a veteran,” she said.

“A woman asked about little features she remembered, the seller has sent photos to many of them.”

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