A former monastery in Mayfield with potential for resurrection
Once home to a monastery, 68 Woodstock Street, Mayfield, is now open to reinvention. Designed by renowned architect Frederick Menkens and completed in 1887, the property was the “mother house” for the Redemptorist Order in Australia, once accommodating over 20 priests, brothers, and novices. Daily life was marked by strict routines, beginning precisely at 4:55 am with prayer, meditation, and domestic work.
Over the years, the property has hosted events of great significance, including the blessing of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in 1951 by Bishop Gleeson during a diocesan consecration.
Now, the estate is being offered for sale through Knight Frank on behalf of the receivers, presenting a chance for an investor to reimagine one of Mayfield’s most recognisable properties.
With three street frontages and a large land parcel, the site offers potential for residential redevelopment, aged care, education, or mixed-use projects, all subject to council approval.
Brett Sinclair of Knight Frank said the 14,806-square-metre inner-city landholding presents both immediate income and long-term value potential.
“It is currently a registered boarding house with 52 approved rooms and residential leases in place,” he explained.
“There is income upside through potential refurbishment or adaptive reuse of the existing structures. With two five-bedroom residences, an unused church building, and heritage-listed grounds, it’s a strategic opportunity for investors and accommodation operators.”
According to Sinclair, market interest has already been extremely strong, with more than 110 enquiries logged. “We’re seeing substantial interest both locally and nationally, particularly from Sydney-based investors and operators. Several significant developer and builder groups have contacted us to understand the site’s potential. The combination of historical significance, location, and scale is drawing a broad and active buyer pool.”
Beyond its heritage and investment credentials, location is another major selling point. Just minutes from Newcastle’s CBD, Mayfield is one of the city’s evolving suburbs, alive with cafes, schools, and a growing residential population. Demand for housing, services, and community spaces is high within the area, making the sale of the monastery a top opportunity to shape the suburb’s future while preserving its past.
