Federation architecture refers to the architectural style of Australian homes built around the decades before and after 1900 AD. This site is a backup to Federation-House.wikispaces.com, which closed down in 2018. The new Federation-House.com site links to these blogs, but many old links to the Wikispaces site are unfortunately still present.
Nee Morna, 3106-3118 Nepean Road, Sorrento Vic
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This house is in the Style of Federation Queen Anne
Nee Morna: 100-year-old mansion for sale on Victoria’s coast
National Trust deputy calls for Victorian Government to protect Sorrento mansion
ABC Radio Melbourne: Tue 9/1/2017
Nee Morna Estate
Nee Morna, which means “Laughing Water” in the language of the Bandjin and Djiru people, was named by the man who built it in 1909, shipping magnate Walter Howard Smith.
Original Site Purchased in 1875 by George Coppin, the “Father of Sorrento”
The Estate was purchased in 1875, together with other prime land in Sorrento totaling 95 hectares (225 acres), by The Ocean Amphitheatre Company, a company formed by George Coppin (a distinguished actor, politician, and entrepreneur) to promote Sorrento as an exclusive seaside resort, principally for residents of Melbourne and its visitors.
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‘Mornington trophy offerings to test richlist appetites’
Nee Morna, a majestic Federation home standing on the Western Sister headland above Sorrento, will undoubtedly be one of the jewels in the crown this summer.
‘Historic Mornington Peninsula trophy home on sale for second time in 100 years’
Impressive Historic Mansion built in 1909 by Shipping Magnate, Walter Howard Smith
The “fine elevated site” was purchased by Walter Howard Smith in 1909.
By this time, Sorrento had become the premier summer resort for wealthy Melbourne families and, while his younger brother, Bellingham Howard Smith, built “Colwyn” just beyond the Sorrento village, Walter built “Nee Morna” atop the “first sister”.
Ursula de Jong , the president of the Nepean Conservation Group and deputy chair of the National Trust of Victoria, told ABC Radio Melbourne the property was extremely significant.
‘We’ll lose a part of our identity’
**PHOTO:** The mansion has heritage overlays but the property can still be developed. (Supplied: CBRE)
Ms de Jong hoped the Andrews Government would step in and protect the site.
“It’s priceless. In terms of our heritage, if we don’t protect it and care for it we lose something about our own identity,” she said.
“Always the danger with selling is… they always try and argue for development and I think it would be terrific if the State Government bought it and it went back into public hands,” she said.
The property overlooks Sullivan’s Bay, Blairgowrie Yacht Club and Arthur’s Seat.
Seller Alex Lipe said he enjoyed “boisterous Christmas lunches, … formal black-tie affairs and fancy dress parties” in the dining room.
The prized site, the largest landholding in the exclusive seaside suburb, consists of four separate titles which buyers have the option of snapping up separately or together.
Mr Lipe restored the home to its former glory during his time there.
The house spans three floors with six bedrooms, five living and dining rooms with soaring 4m-high ceilings, four bathrooms, a kitchen with separate food and butlers’ pantry rooms and a wine cellar, and a wraparound veranda.
CBRE director Mark Wizel expected Nee Morna to appeal to buyers as both a residence, offering the opportunity to move straight in, and a potential development site, with both residential and commercial prospects.
“Properties such as the Red Hill Estate Winery, Eagle Ridge and Moonah Links Golf Course are all examples of strong Chinese interest that is moving into this part of Victoria,” Mr Wizel said.
Nee Morna is being sold via an expressions of interest campaign ending at 3pm on February 28.