A castle-like mansion in the heart of Hobart’s New Town has hit the market with a price tag of more than $5.5 million.
“Stoke House” was built in 1887 by Sir John Dodd, the then-Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania, and features intricate craftsmanship and architectural details that are a testament to the era’s elite.
The grand Victorian Gothic Revival residence is considered one of the largest historic mansions in the state, spanning across three levels with more than 20 rooms.
Many of the materials used across the property, including the sandstone and even the craftsmen, were shipped out from England, Scotland and Italy for the construction nearly 140 years ago.
The home’s cathedral-like entrance hall with a 30-foot ceiling and original Italian mosaic tiles sets the tone for the awe-inspiring interiors.
Intricate ceiling moldings, hand-carved timber fireplace mantles, a Waterford chandelier, a beautiful hand-turned Blackwood staircase and bannister, and the extensive use of Australian timbers are just a few of the exquisite details that adorn the property.
The main floor boasts a stately ballroom that can accommodate up to 100 guests, an impressive formal dining room with an original ornate mantle, a reception room, a side bar and primary living rooms.
The second level houses most of the bedrooms, several bathrooms, a minstrel gallery and even a small galley kitchen for guests.
The third level, once used as servants’ quarters, still retains its original ambiance with smaller rooms and a more modest design.
An adjoining upstairs flat built in the 1920s offers privacy for caretakers or guests, complete with two bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom.
The botanical garden-like grounds surrounding the mansion are a ‘source of pride’ for the current owners, featuring fruit trees, decorative flowers and climbing trees for children.
The agents describe the property as “undoubtedly one of Tasmania’s finest mansions” and a “monument to the lifestyle of how the gentry in society lived over a century ago.”
