Owners ‘motivated’ to sell replica Sydney castle after years on the market

A new chapter may be opening up for a local Sydney landmark, as the owners of a replica castle in Sydney suburbia get serious about selling after years of putting the home on and off the market.

The extraordinary medieval-style home in Leumeah in the city’s southwest is complete with turrets, arrowslits, moat and knightly decor throughout.

The unusual features were installed by a previous owner, a civil engineer who did much of the work himself.

While the current owners were previously testing the water — of the market, not their moat — they have now bolstered their attempt to sell with a new real estate agent and new renovations.

Leumeah Castle on Dowling Street, Leumeah.

The family fortress has been listed through Devak Arutla and Jamie Bae of RE/MAX Prestige in conjunction with Amanda Clement at Sotheby’s International.

It has been on-and-off the market since 2022, with the owners previously trying to sell without an agent.

Now, Mr Arutla says the owners are “motivated to sell.” There is now a $1.5m guidance for the medieval manor.

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The property has been on-and-off the market for several years.

Mr Arutla said most interested buyers saw the property as an investment opportunity. In particular, he said investors were considering running the property as an Airbnb.

“With the new airport coming next year … it’s going to be a good tourist spot,” he said.

According to Mr Arutla, the castle was also attracting interest as a retirement home.

“We’ve seen a few enquirers for the property looking to move from the countryside to here as the property backs onto the bush,” he said.

“It can be a good retirement home … living like this, in a castle, will be a good memory for the grandkids.”

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The sellers are going through a real estate agent for the first time.

The home pictured in 2014 – when it last sold.

Mr Arutla said there have been several owner-occupier inquiries as well.

The vendors have recently renovated the property to make it a more functional home.

“The kitchen has been updated and the bathroom is renovated fully,” Mr Arutla said.

“The architecture is still original but they have added more modern touches to the property.”

The sellers, Gopal and Sonita Ganda, bought the property for $480,000 in 2014. The home had been on the market for close to a year before they snapped it up, records showed.

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Owners Gopal and Sonita Ganda pictured shortly after they bought the home a decade ago. Picture: Jeremy Piper.

Last year, Sonita Ganda told The Daily Telegraph she was awaiting “feedback” from the market when the property was listed at the time.

It was reported at the time that viewings were restricted only to those with pre-approval for a loan due to getting long lines of curious neighbours wanting to see the inside, which she said was something of a local “landmark” in Leumeah.

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The castle was built by its original owners as a homage to their English heritage.

The couple were reported to be regular attendees at medieval themed events, and even arrived at an inspection in medieval garbs.

Leumeah Castle was originally built by Ron and Joan Farmer, an English couple, who purchased the site in the 1970s. It was originally a fibro home.

It took 10 years for them to build the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, which hosted several weddings during their ownership. Now, new ownership awaits for this striking stronghold.

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