An important piece of Kiama’s history, owned by a prominent family for four generations, is on the market for the first time.
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The property named ‘Illadee’ at 105 Manning Street, has been home to the Simmons family, since it was built in 1907.
Family spokesperson Ross Simmons said it is believed ‘Illadee’ was designed to reflect the architectural style used by his stone mason come builder and architect great grandfather John Simmons, who immigrated from London to Kiama in 1858.
“My great grandfather was apprenticed to work on the House of Parliament at Westminster between 1838 and 1842,” Mr Simmons said.
Once in Kiama John Simmons’ building skills were soon noticed and he was tasked with building Scots Presbyterian Church in Terralong Street, the Jamberoo Church of England and the Jamberoo Public School.
The property is a rare offering, located on a huge block of land in central Kiama, less than 200 metres from Kiama’s surf beach.
The heritage listed home has many period features and original inclusions including a bay window, decorative timber and brick work and three metre high, pressed metal ceilings.
A formal lounge and dining area with open fireplace adjoins the kitchen and rear sunroom.
The property is zoned R3 medium density and has a total land size of 1,850 metres square. The front entrance is framed by a manicured hedge and quaint front gate.
Located on a corner block, the home has two frontages –Manning Street and Barney Street, providing easy access to the double garage, outbuildings and large yard.
Mr Simmons, fondly recalls the years he spent living in ‘Illadee’ from 1952, going to the beach across the road and playing in the huge yard, enjoying the fruit from the orchard on the property.
“We had a lot of fun,” he said. “On the northern side we had an orchard with fruit trees, figs, apricots, peaches and mulberries,” he said.
“We only had to cross Manning Street and we were at the beach and we had the railway line along the back so there was plenty for us to do.”
Selling agent Gail Connellan from Ray White Kiama said there had been a great deal of interest in the iconic home.
The property is open for inspection on Saturday from 11am to 11.30am and again from 1pm to 1.30pm. The property will be auctioned on November 7 at 10.30am.