You''ll never guess what's beneath the bell tower of this fire station

Behind the doors of this historic fire station lies a spectacular luxury home – complete with resort-style bathrooms, TWO outdoor pools, a soundproof cinema and a built-in cocktail bar

  • A historic fire station has been transformed into a luxury home that still boasts the original heritage façade 
  • Newtown Fire Station in Geelong was converted into a spectacular five-bedroom over the past eight years
  • Built in 1884, the landmark building has a bell tower that captures 360 degree panoramic views of the city
  • Standout features are the cocktail bar, swimming and plunge pools, soundproof cinema and designer kitchen

A historic fire station has been converted into an award-winning luxury home still fronted with the original fairytale façade that was erected over 135 years ago.

Newtown and Chilwell Fire Station in Geelong, VIC, was transformed into a spectacular five-bedroom mansion over the past eight years by the current owner, Steven Foster, who sourced bricks from the 19th century to preserve the iconic heritage look.

Built in 1884, the landmark building has a bell tower that captures 360 degree panoramic views of the city and quaint arched windows straight from the Victorian era – but modern glamour awaits at every turn behind the front door.

Standout features include outdoor swimming and plunge pools, a soundproof home cinema and four opulent bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs, as well as a designer kitchen that boasts a built-in cocktail bar. 

This historic fire station has been converted into an award-winning luxury home still fronted with the original fairytale façade erected over 135 years ago

Built in 1884, the landmark building has a bell tower straight from the Victorian era – but modern glamour awaits at every turn behind the front door

While the exterior lends a touch of old world charm, curved walls, concealed wardrobes and contemporary spotlights provide a modern contrast inside the home. 

Listing agent Jim Cross, who is overseeing the sale of the landmark property for McGrath realtors, told Daily Mail Australia it is ‘genuinely a rare find’ in the area.

‘There are some great heritage properties in Geelong, but the level of luxury put into this conversion is really unusual,’ Mr Cross said.

‘It’s a great blend of heritage façade and funky modern restoration.’

He said the conversion of the 19th century red-and-white brick fire station into a private family home was a ‘labour of love’ for the vendor.

Mr Cross said he has seen a ‘huge increase’ in interest for houses in the port city 75km southwest of Melbourne, with most demand coming from cashed-up Melburnians themselves.

‘They’re coming down here for livability and the slower pace of life,’ Mr Cross said.

The conversion of the 19th century red-and-white brick fire station into a private family home was a ‘labour of love’ for the vendor


Listing agent Jim Cross described the house a ‘genuinely rare find’ in Geelong, a port city 75km southwest of Melbourne

The house has been slapped with a guide price of $2.795million to $3million (AUD)

While migration from the Melbourne housing market has been happening ‘for many years’, Mr Cross said the pandemic undoubtedly accelerated the exodus from major metropolitan areas across Australia.

‘We used to see about 25 percent of our overall interest coming from Melbourne buyers. That’s shot up to more than 50 percent, particularly since the second lockdown,’ he added.

Mr Cross has slapped the fire station with a guide price of $2.795million to $3million (AUD), which he hopes it will fetch at an auction slated for Saturday, April 24.

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