One of East Maitland's finest heritage homes has returned to the market for the first time in 12 years.
Torquay, at 50 King Street, has a long history dating back to the late 1800s and stands as a landmark residence in the suburb, set on a 1536-square-metre landholding.
The five-bedroom, three-bathroom house is listed with Celeste Rodwell and Matthew McBrearty at Belle Property.
Torquay was built as a seven-room Victorian residence in 1886 by William Petherbridge, who was a wine and spirit merchant.
His son, Thomas Petherbridge, and his wife Ada, moved into Torquay in 1890 and undertook significant renovations in the 1920s, including the addition of a ballroom.
In later years, the house was used as a Sisters of Mercy convent for 30 years until 2001.
According to Cotality records, the owners bought the property in September 2014 for $820,000.
"It is a stunning home with such a beautiful history, and it is quite prominent in that area of East Maitland," Ms Rodwell said.
"It was held tightly by the Catholic Church for some time and it's out-of-the-box.
"The owners have had it for 12 years and have completed an extensive renovation and done a major overhaul."
The grand home has been elegantly restored and preserves all of the original period details.
High ornate ceilings are a feature of the home, including the ballroom on the first floor.
Other heritage features include marble fireplaces and polished timber floorboards.
An archive photograph shows Ada Petherbridge beside an urn in the garden, which is still standing on the grounds.
Across two levels, there are multiple living areas, including a library, a sunroom, and the ballroom which is used as a sitting room.
The ground level comprises five bedrooms, including four with fireplaces, and the oversized master has an ensuite and access to the verandah.
The main living room opens to the outdoor entertaining space with a deck and barbecue area.
In the backyard, there is a magnesium in-ground lap pool with a sun deck and poolside pavilion.
"It's a large home and it's very grand, even the pool pavilion out the back is incredible with the tiling," she said.
"They have done an immaculate job.
"It feels like a home that was in Woollahra in Sydney, and has been plonked in the middle of East Maitland."
The agent said the property has attracted inquiries from local and out-of-area doctors and specialists who appreciate the home's size and history.
Ms Rodwell has not listed the property with a price guide ahead of the first open house inspection on April 11 but said it has the potential to achieve a record price.
In East Maitland, the suburb record is held by a five-bedroom house on 5785 square metres at 7 Wilton Drive that sold for $2.2 million in 2024.
"We are open to market feedback and offers at this point, but it has all the ingredients for being a record-breaker," she said.
"It would suit a buyer who loves the history and, because it has the yard as well, you're not sacrificing space.
"It will capture a lot of people."
According to Cotality, the median house value in East Maitland is $823,000.
