Historical Renovation Rescue

An uninhabitable stone cottage dating back to the 1880s, which fell into disrepair like many of the town’s historic items in the past, has been lovingly restored, retaining part of Newcastle’s heritage.

Anyone stumbling across this once-termite-ridden and dilapidated stone cottage at North Lambton could well have dismissed it as too difficult to restore or simply demolished it and built a new home on the spacious North Lambton block in an inner-Newcastle suburb.

Fortunately, it was acquired by someone keen to undertake a sympathetic renovation to preserve one of Newcastle’s hidden gems and a link to the town’s history.

School teacher Shane Brandson is a purist when it comes to restoring old residences, having already undertaken the renovation of his own 100-year-old home at Waratah.

It was a grand plan for someone with a vision to utilise the property to its fullest potential and the skills to put that vision into action.

While carrying out his first renovation, which took a couple of years, Shane worked alongside his father, Paul Brandson, in his spare time, away from his role as a Newcastle-based primary school Assistant Principal, as well as his university studies and working in all facets of Newcastle theatre, both front-of-house and behind stage.

“I learnt so much from my Dad, who has so many varied building skills and it was wonderful working together as a team.”

“I then started looking for another project we could do together and found 15 Percy Street, North Lambton, circa 1800, well hidden behind tall gum trees and thick undergrowth.”

Read more in Edition 81 of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine.

Story Marilyn Collins. Images Keys Real Estate.