One of Kiama’s original miner’s cottages in parkland in the town’s centre has hit the market with nearly as much interest in the tenants as the property itself.
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The local heritage-listed cottage in Hindmarsh Park has been home to musician and artist Carlos de Ferrari and his wife, Maria, for the past 30 years.
‘‘Carlos and Maria are well-known and much-loved identities in Kiama, but they have been looked after by the owner with a provision in the contract they be given time to re-locate,’’ said Raine and Horne agent Steve Pryor.
The 130-year old cottage in Collins Lane is on the market for $499,950.
It is one of the last privately owned cottages of its era in the park. It was built about the same time as the cottages that now comprise the nearby Terrace shops and originally fronted Black Beach before the railway line was built about 100 years ago.
Former mayor Sandra McCarthy said it was the end of an era for the couple.
‘‘I mainly know Carlos because of his years as a paid and volunteer worker at Kiama Council,’’ she said.
‘‘He is an amazing citizen who is passionate about Kiama...he and Maria featured in our coffee table book in 2007 profiling Kiama and its people.
‘‘One can only imagine what it’s been like living in what is the town’s heartland with markets, concerts and other events on your doorstep.’’
Mr de Ferrari, originally from Argentina, agreed the past three decades had been ‘‘very, very happy.’’
He said the long-term stay was linked to the fact that his wife was related to the owners, who live out of the area.
‘‘My wife and I have filled the house with paintings and photography to make it a beautiful place to live,’’ he said.
‘‘We love the location, but I am now 56 and we now want to do other things so we accept it is time to move on somewhere else...’’
Mr Pryor said his office had been bombarded with interest since Thursday, when the for-sale cottage went online.
