Geelong homestead in same family for more than a century up for sale
Claremont Homestead near Geelong is on the market for the first time since 1894, and is tipped to fetch $2.5 million or more.
The property, built in 1857, was owned by generations of the Baum family since being bought by Gottfried Baum in the late 19th century, and was occupied up until late 2019.
The homestead was part of a 245-acre farm that has been gradually sold off to residential developers since the late 1990s.
What remains is 6156 square metres of general residential zoned land at 12-16 Kinsmead Street, Waurn Ponds.
“This was the last parcel left that Mr and Mrs Baum owned – they maintained the homestead and a little orchard,” said agent Jonathon Lumsden, of Colliers International.
The property is being pitched at a range of buyers, including those who want to subdivide it for further residential land, or redevelop it as student accommodation.
It could also be developed into a childcare centre or aged-care facility, subject to council approval.
Several buyers are also interested in restoring the homestead, which is not subject to heritage restrictions, according to Mr Lumsden.
“For someone who wants to purchase it to restore it into a glorious farmhouse, there’s a bit of work involved in trying to do that,” Mr Lumsden said.
“Restoration of the homestead would require significant capital investment.”
The property boasts sweeping views across Waurn Ponds and over to the You Yangs. It has direct frontage to Baum Park, named after the property’s owners, which sits on the farm’s former dam.
Mr Lumsden said he had received approaches from “around a dozen” parties so far, including residential developers and those looking to “potentially try and retain the homestead”.
“We would be expecting to see offers around $2.5 million-plus,” he said.
