8 Janet St, Merewether NSW 2291, Australia

Experience an unparalleled opportunity to own a piece of history in prestigious Janet Street, a barefoot stroll from the sand and surf at Merewether Beach. Built around 1924 on a rare double block totalling 1397sqm, this late Federation property boasts rich historical significance. Formerly a convent owned by Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor (the Brown Sisters), this double brick residence and its former tennis court are now ready to welcome only their third custodian.

The possibilities here are as vast as they are exciting. Envision transforming this solidly built home with its charming period features into a modern sanctuary for a growing family, complete with 21st-century amenities. Consider the potential of adding a luxurious pool, reinstating the tennis court, or expanding with additional garaging or a studio/granny flat. There’s even the tantalising prospect of subdividing the block to create a second dwelling or tapping into Newcastle’s booming tourism industry (all STCA).

No matter your vision, the lifestyle this property offers is truly beyond compare. Imagine being just steps away from the beach and iconic ocean baths. Enjoy morning swims, catch afternoon surfs, and conclude your day with dining and drinks at Merewether Surfhouse or Beach Hotel.

– Approx. block dimensions 30.48m X 45.86m / 45.83m, zoned R2, NE aspect

– Original features include leadlight French doors, 3.4m ceilings, wrap-around verandah

– Currently configured as seven bedrooms, two bathrooms, deconsecrated chapel, parlour, contemporary kitchen, lounge and dining rooms

History

In 1923, local pharmacist, Athol Greentree and his wife, Olive Greentree, purchased the vacant block of land at 8 Janet Street. In the following year, the Greentrees built a four bedroom home and tennis court on the land. The property was named ‘Meekatharra,’ an Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of little water.’

In the early 1960s, the Trustees for Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor (the Brown Sisters) purchased ‘Meekatharra’, from Mr. and Mrs. Greentree for £8500. The Convent was officially opened

and extensions were added at the rear of the property in 1969. For over 60 years, the Brown Sisters lived in the convent and served the sick, poor, lonely, and destitute in the Newcastle area. The annual fete was held for over 45 years on the former tennis court. Sister Margaret Mary Birgan, the last of the Brown Sisters to live in the convent, fondly called the property ‘Paradise.’