Two houses once owned by Holt available,
A pair of period cottages, formerly owned by Dame Zara Holt, wife of Prime Minister Harold Holt, is now available.
These cottages are located on 18-20 Day Street in South Yarra, Melbourne’s inner city, and are up for sale.
Expressions of interest are currently being accepted, with the submission deadline set for 5:30 pm on December 3rd.
The cottages are hidden behind a tall facade, which completely shields them from the street and ensures privacy.
Previously, the cottages served as the home of two of Dame Zara Holt’s sons and their wives.
While Dame Zara’s three sons were born during her first marriage to British officer James Heywood Fell, two are likely Harold Holt’s sons.
She met Holt in the mid-1920s, when he was a law student at the University of Melbourne.
When Harold Holt married Dame Zara in 1946, he legally adopted her three sons, and they now bear his name.
The adoption adds an intriguing layer to the story of the Day Street cottages, particularly the high wall surrounding them.
Some speculate that the wall’s purpose was to maintain privacy, further fueling the mystery behind the properties’ history.
Beyond the historical gossip, the cottages offer exciting potential for development in the highly sought-after Domain district of Melbourne.
Receive the latest property news and advice directly in your inbox
The two semi-detached Victorian-era brick cottages are well-appointed but offer excellent potential for renovation, subject to council approval.
Each cottage features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a parking spot, providing comfort and convenience for future owners.
In addition, there are northern-facing gardens within the property, with each cottage offering full independence from the other.
Location-wise, the cottages are just a short distance from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Fawkner Park, and the Domain Road restaurant strip.
Tram routes to the rest of the city are also easily accessible from the property, adding to its appeal.
The cottages are less than a kilometre from South Yarra Primary School and just over 2 km from Prahran High School.
However, it’s a bit of a journey to reach one significant part of Harold Holt’s legacy – the memorial pool.
The memorial swimming pool in Glen Iris, named after the Prime Minister, commemorates his disappearance and presumed drowning in 1967.
