Built on a hill by some of Kiama's first settlers, "Rockleigh" was positioned to give its original owners clear views of delivery boats arriving in the town's harbour back in the 1860s.
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Today Rockleigh no longer stands alone on the Bong Bong St hill, but with its heritage listing and long line of original features, the property remains a rare standing example of bygone Kiama.
Downsizing owners have now placed the property on the market with Harcourts Kiama. The property last changed hands in April 2016, when it sold for $1.15m.
Outgoing owner Melanie Richards said she had enjoyed experiencing firsthand the home's "amazing" history.
"There were several weddings there and it was a boarding house for men building the quarry," she said.
"I have found treasures in the garden and old pharmaceutical bottles and a very old bible was found in the attic."
"Rockleigh" was originally built for noted auctioneer David Lindsay Dymock and his wife Grace.
Mr Dymock was the first director of the South Coast Co-operative, designing the first milk factory in central Illawarra, at Albion Park.
A second storey was added to the original home in 1906.
The five-bedroom house is set on a 1024 square metre block, with lots of living areas (formal dining, lounge, sunroom, study and enclosed wrap-around verandah).
With pressed metal ceilings, cedar staircase, leadlight glass windows, original fireplaces and floors, selling agent Daniel Dajcic expects the home will go to someone swayed by charm.
"They don't come up often, these old heritage homes. There's maybe been three sales in the last five to 10 years that have offered that kind of style," said Mr Dajcic, who has fielded inquiries from Sydney and Southern Highlands buyers, as well as a few locals.
"It's just a slice of Kiama history and that's really the selling point. It's going to be someone who really wants that, who wants to take it as-is, in all its glory.
"There's plenty of established gardens. It gives you that coast-country kind of feel, where you feel like you're in the country but you're actually on the coast.
"It's a really unique residence and you can't compare it to anything."
Mr Dajcic said prospective buyers had flagged the home as a potential residence, holiday home or Airbnb.
The sale comes amid booming interest in the seaside town, largely driven by Sydney buyers.
"I've been in real estate in Kiama for 12 years and I haven't seen a market as strong as this," said Mr Dajcic.
"We're seeing a number of sales now crack the $4.5-5 million mark, which we haven't seen before, ever. The bar has been raised."
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