48 Duxford Street, Paddington

THE ESTATE OF MARGARET OLLEY - A LANDMARK OF AUSTRALIAN ART HISTORY

If these walls could talk, the stories resonating here would be legend! Even now, without her extraordinary collection of art and artifacts, Margaret Olley's rambling Victorian home still exudes the extensive character imbued by her love of life and colour. Set in one of Paddington's finest streets renowned for the size and quality of the neighbouring terraces, amid peaceful, uncontrived gardens on a huge corner block of some 423sqm, the house stands ready to take on a new and different life. The potential is simply mindblowing! This is no average terrace - it is an opportunity to reconceive a piece of history and make your own mark on the landscape.

Huge 4br terrace + the old "hat factory"423sm approx. with 3 street accessPeaceful, private, rambling gardensIncredible potential for full renovationTremendous character, original featuresCity skyline & harbour outlook upstairsPrized location close to 5Ways/Oxford StParking possible (subject to Council app)
Council Rates: $509.37pq
Water Rates: $191.06pq
Land dimensions: 6.15/20.04 X 32.46/35.31sqm approx.
Land size: 423.5sqm approx. (Irregular)

CO-AGENT: HARRIET FRANCE 0408 936 373
HARRIET FRANCE REAL ESTATE

Margaret Olley (1923 - 2011)

One of Australia's most respected artists, Margaret Olley lived here for a major part of her life. She lived and worked in the "Hat Factory", later known as her "lifelong installation", a rambling extension at the rear of the main terrace. While socially protective of her privacy, it was here that she bestowed her generous hospitality on an eclectic coterie of friends and admirers. As a legacy to this remarkable woman, her residence and lifestyle have recently been recreated, faithful to Olley's house in all its glory, in the Tweed River Gallery using many of the original features from the Paddington house, and filled with her works and possessions.

During her outstanding career Margaret herself was twice the subject of Archibald prize winning portraits, the first by William Dobell in 1948 and more recently in 2011 by Ben Quilty. Over the years she was also the subject of several works by many of her artist friends, including Russell Drysdale and Donald Friend In 1991 Margaret was made an Officer of the Order of Australia "for service as an artist and to the promotion of art". She was subsequently awarded in 2006 Australia's highest civilian honour, the Companion of the Order, "for service as one of Australia's most distinguished artists, for support and philanthropy to the visual and performing arts and for encouragement of young and emerging artists". She was also honoured in 2006 with the degree Doctor of Fine Arts honoris causa by the University of Newcastle.

Known in her time as "Australia's greatest living legend", her work was predominantly still life and intimate interiors, much of which was featured in a major exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW in 1997. In 2006 she donated more than 130 works valued at over $7million to the Art Gallery.

Property Information

• Land area approx 415sqm