Some homes are simply owned. Others are cherished, preserved and passed from one custodian to the next.

Welcome to “Four Winds”, a gracious character residence set amongst established gardens on approximately 2.26 acres (9,145sqm) in historic York.

With a story stretching back more than a century, this beautiful home has evolved with the generations while retaining the warmth, proportions and character that make homes of this era so captivating. Four Winds is recognised on the Shire of York Heritage List as a Category B place, acknowledging its considerable cultural heritage significance to the district.

Beyond the beautiful leadlight doors, a polished timber hallway introduces a home designed for generous country living. Three bedrooms include a substantial main suite with ensuite and large walk-in robe, while an additional playroom and convenient study nook/workspace provide welcome flexibility.

The spacious lounge is light and airy, with windows capturing three aspects and doors opening onto the front veranda – a wonderful place to watch the sun set, admire the gardens or perhaps catch sight of hang-gliders drifting from Mount Bakewell.

For those who love to entertain, the approximately six-metre-long formal dining room is something special. Comfortably accommodating a table for 12 to 14 guests, it is easy to imagine Christmas lunches, family celebrations and long dinners shared with friends.

From here, the home flows through the scullery to the well-appointed kitchen and family area, where views extend across the gardens towards Mount Brown. Tri-fold doors open to the rear garden and a delightful alfresco area surrounded by roses, creating an inviting connection between indoors and out.

And when dinner is finished, the generous games room awaits. With a charming window seat, windows to three aspects and room for a pool table, it provides yet another wonderful space for family and friends to gather.

While Four Winds celebrates the character of an earlier era, modern comforts have been thoughtfully incorporated.

The home has been professionally painted and recarpeted in recent years and features reverse-cycle air conditioning, a 6.5kW solar energy system and heat-pump hot water.

Outside, established formal and native gardens surround the residence, with mature and younger trees creating a wonderfully private country setting. Much of the garden is reticulated and supported by an impressive approximately 110,000-litre water tank and pump.

A substantial garage/workshop – complete with potbelly stove – is complemented by several additional outbuildings offering plenty of options for storage, hobbies, garden equipment, sporting gear or a home gym.

Adding another touch of intrigue is the property's “butler's cottage”, with plumbing and electricity connected.

An enclosed inner yard also provides a practical space for small or older dogs.

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS
* Character residence known as “Four Winds”
* Approximately 9,145sqm / 2.26 acres
* Three bedrooms and two bathrooms
* Main suite with ensuite and exceptionally large walk-in robe
* Family bathroom
* Study nook/workspace
* Additional playroom with extensive storage
* Polished timber hallway and beautiful leadlight doors
* Light-filled formal lounge opening onto the front veranda
* Impressive formal dining room approximately 6m in length
* Well-appointed kitchen and scullery
* Family living area with views towards Mount Brown
* Tri-fold doors connecting indoor and outdoor living
* Separate games room with window seat
* Rose-framed alfresco entertaining area
* Front and rear verandas
* Reverse-cycle air conditioning
* 6.5kW solar energy system
* Heat-pump hot water
* Approximately 110,000-litre water tank and pump
* Reticulated formal and native gardens
* Large garage/workshop with potbelly stove
* Multiple additional outbuildings
* “Butler's cottage” with plumbing and electricity
* Category B – Shire of York Heritage List

A Little Piece of York History. The story of Four Winds stretches back more than a century, while the history of the land itself can be traced even further.

Research undertaken by the current owners traces ownership of the land to 1870, when Walter Rickey sold it to Charles Redmile for the princely sum of £30. It later passed to Thomas Kindelan before becoming associated with Samuel Gordon Fisher, a prominent member of the York community.

Contemporary records independently place Gordon Fisher in York by early 1918, serving as secretary of the York Farmers’ Co-operative. Research undertaken by the current owners indicates that Fisher acquired the property that same year and has uncovered newspaper records of his application to construct a five-room residence in 1918. A historical photograph taken from Mount Brown around 1920 also appears to show the residence already standing.

Four Winds remained with the original Fisher family for almost half a century before passing to the Draper family in 1967. The Drapers called Four Winds home for approximately 35 years before it passed in 2002 to another Fisher family – unrelated to the original owners.

The current owners purchased Four Winds in 2016 and, for the past decade, have continued to care for this remarkable York residence.

Now, after generations of ownership, the time has come for Four Winds to welcome its next custodian.

A home of this character cannot simply be recreated. Its polished boards, leadlight, generous rooms, sweeping verandas, mature gardens and history have taken generations to become what they are today.

Come and discover Four Winds – and perhaps write its next chapter.

For further information or to arrange your inspection, contact Schiona Swart at New Edge Real Estate.

Disclaimer: Historical information has been compiled from available government and heritage records, historical newspaper research and information researched and supplied by the current owners. Due to gaps in surviving historical records, the precise construction date of the residence has not been independently confirmed. Buyers should make their own enquiries where historical information is material to their purchase.