Add CategoryTHE historic East Killara mansion where mining magnate Lang Hancock tied the knot with Rose Porteous is on the market with expectations of about $15 million.
Set on more than 7500sqm, ‘Wharncliffe’ on Springdale Rd is one of the north shore’s largest privately held estates.
The 1930s Georgian style property features six bedrooms, five marble bathrooms, a tennis court, carriage loop and driveway, coach house, swimming pool and a ballroom fit for a lavish wedding ceremony.
Wharncliffe is one of the earliest developments in East Killara. Source: Supplied
Hancock married his former maid, who was 39 years his junior, in July 1985 in the grand ballroom.
It was the third time each of the newlyweds had exchanged vows.
The sandstone residence previously traded in 1997 for $3 million, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
In 2010, it set a new record when it was sold for $7.8 million through agent Andrew Burns.
It was snapped up by a buyer from China.
Mining company executive Lang Hancock with wife socialite Rose in 1988. Source: News Limited
Lang Hancock blows out his birthday cake watched by Rose and party guests in June 1988. Picture: Gary Merrin Source: News Limited
The house represents one of the earliest developments in East Killara.
It was originally was owned by metal merchant William George Wright and his wife Lorna May, who commissioned architect Clifford H Finch to design their residence.
The building application was approved by Ku-ring-gai Council in May 1938.
The mansion’s interiors are classic and features include a spiral staircase and parquetry floors. Source: Supplied
A grand ballroom fit for a lavish wedding ceremony. Source: Supplied
The current owners have lodged a number of DAs to alter the house.
According to meeting papers, Ku-ring-gai Council called on the delegation of the Minister for Environment and Heritage in 2012 undertake a heritage assessment after a DA was lodged by the owners to make alterations and additions to the garage, pool and pool structure and fencing.
The council feared the house was under threat from extensive work, which had an estimated cost of $5.5 million.
A Romanesque swimming pool is a focal point in the property’s 7528sqm block. Source: Supplied
The outside walls of the whole building are faced with rich-grained Waverley sandstone. Source: Supplied
The paperwork was withdrawn by the owners in February 2013 after the property was included as a heritage item in the 2013 Draft Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan.
The owners submitted another DA in December 2013 with a potential estimated cost of $1.855 million, which was later approved.
Other features of Wharncliffe, which is at the end of a long battle-axe driveway, include landscaping by Annie Wilkes, library with cedar panelling and columns, window heads, and cornices chiselled from Sydney sandstone.
The property is listed with House 18 Sydney’s Michael Zhu with a price guide of more than $15 million.
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