The next chapter of this villa’s long history will begin when the auction hammer drops on the eve of the October long weekend.

Words Ben Kelly

When second-generation Meningie farmer Nigel Day moved to Adelaide, a circa-1880 villa in Norwood caught his eye for its semblance of the more modest bluestone farmhouses in the south-east.

Since purchasing the historic home in May last year, Nigel has spent about $100,000 on painting, new lighting, chandeliers and other upgrades throughout. The multi-million-dollar property is now in top condition.

Located on the exclusive Osmond Terrace, the western boundary of Norwood, the two-storey home is a stone’s throw from The Parade shopping strip and four kilometres from Adelaide CBD.

“It’s in a beautiful location,” Nigel says. “I could walk to restaurants, hotels, and shopping with The Parade just 150 metres away, or get into the CBD with complete ease. Quite a change, having previously lived so remotely in Meningie, where my local towns of significance were about 80 kilometres away.”

The scale of the home is impressive, starting with the chandelier-lit hallway “long enough to play a game of cricket” and the 3.5-metre high ceilings throughout.

There are five spacious bedrooms, with one configured as a study. The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and walk-in dressing room, while the second master guest suite also has its own bathroom and walk-in robe.

The property has been set-up for entertaining, with sliding glass doors in the open-plan living area that open to the undercover barbecue pavilion; comfortable in winter and summer with ventilation and overhead ceiling heaters and fans. There also an extensive cellar, with capacity for almost 1000 bottles.

The home has all the benefits of a modern townhouse, with three-car garaging, electric gates, alarm, and ducted air conditioning. Meanwhile, the property’s traditional assets are immaculate, from the ornate plasterwork to the lead lighting, polished timber floors, fireplaces, pillars and chandeliers.

“All the bluestone is in perfect condition, too,” Nigel says.

Having successfully built his farming business, which was started by his father on scrub country in the 1960s, Nigel decided to leave the industry and his farm, where he grew extensive wheat, canola and beef cattle.

Nigel had originally intended to keep the property for longer, but plans changed. “The goal was to update it and eventually move it on, but that happened quicker than I expected. I found a property that I really liked in the Adelaide Hills and I’ve taken that opportunity while it was there.”

Nigel is pursuing his passion for sustainable food and hopes to start a sustainable organic farm with “pick-your-own” produce at Balhannah. “In 1989 I worked on a farm in the UK which had on it organic pick your own veggies. It has always been a passion of mine.”

The home will be sold at auction on Friday, October 4, at 11am, and is expected to attract plenty of interest.

“It’s ready to turn key and go, there’s nothing to be done,” Nigel says. “Whoever buys it will enjoy moving in, perhaps with their family, and not having to worry about any upgrading. Just kick back and enjoy.”

The sale is being handled by Harcourts Williams.