An updated Unley Park villa could set a new residential price record when it sells, having been offered to the market for the first time in 22 years.

The sandstone estate at 3 Victoria Ave has been listed with a price guide of $12m to $13m but is expected to sell above the asking price, being located on arguably SA’s most prized street.

Vendors Margo and Sam bought the landmark property – which sits on a 3836sq m allotment – in 2002, attracted by the opportunity to bring the character home into the present and raise a family.

“It had the structure of a great old family home, but it needed some love, so we did a substantial renovation on both the house and garden,” Margo says.

MORE NEWS

30-year investment has seller laughing all the way to the bank

‘He smashed it in’: Buyers in shock after agent demolishes front door

‘It was unbelievable’: Strata titled investment wows buyers at auction

The home is one of the most admired and stately residences on Victoria Ave in Unley. Park

---

It has been meticulously restored, extended, and stylishly presented.

---

The main bathroom oozes elegance.

---

The landmark sandstone villa, built circa 1900, is filled with character features.

---

As far as renovations go, it was no small feat, Sam says, with the home painstakingly and faithfully updated to now offer up to five bedrooms, formal and casual living and entertaining areas, a spacious home office or library, a cellar, a handy butler’s pantry and a separate studio.

“We rebuilt the garden, replaced the swimming pool and tennis court with new ones and touched every wall of the home except for the front facade, opening it up to give it more light and space and take the rooms from being smaller and darker – which was typical in homes of this time – to make them much more open,” he says.

With 817sq m of indoor and outdoor living space, Sam says the 1900-built home is a fantastic entertainer, and a haven they have enjoyed sharing with others.

“There has been a lot of joy in this house and the kids have really enjoyed growing up here,” he says.

“We’ve had every one of the children’s birthdays here at home and in the garden, right through from three years to well into their teenage years, and it’s been lovely watching them play tennis on the court, swim in the pool and run around on the lawns.”

The designer kitchen, with granite benchtops, custom cabinetry, Gaggenau appliances, and large butler’s pantry, conveniently overlooks the main sun-drenched, northerly orientated, casual living zones.

---

The home showcases voluminous and gracious formal living rooms, as well as numerous more light-filled casual living zones.

---

A turfed tennis court will also impress buyers …

---

… as will a sparking in-ground swimming pool.

---

With the historic property now much larger than the couple require, the time has come for them to hand over custodianship to another family.

“Prior to us owning it, the house had been owned by a family who had raised their family here for some 40 years, and they were keen for another family to raise theirs here; and Sam and I would love to see another family get the joy we’ve had and raise their family here,” Margo says.

“It’s not just a house, it’s a home, and it’s a place where we feel very grounded.

“It has been an enormous privilege to live here and I think, houses like this, people become custodians of for a generation, and we’re really proud of how we’ve taken care of it for the next owners, and respected its natural beauty and grace.”

The property is for sale through Jamie Brown of Booth Real Estate Adelaide.

Expression of interest close September 5 at noon.

The current all-time state record was set by 70 Pennington Tce, North Adelaide, in 2021 when it changed hands for $13.5m via an off-market transaction.