Former Katoomba guesthouse with up to 40 bedrooms hits the market
One of the grandest private homes in the Blue Mountains, which for much of the 20th century served as popular guesthouse and health retreat, is on the market after undergoing a major renovation.
The Katoomba property, which was known variously as Wahgunyah, Crystal Lodge and more recently Bedford Manor, as well as serving for a time as a private hospital, begun its life as a house. Its current owner, who spent the past several years restoring the 20-bedroom property, has also used it as a private residence.
The two-storey property spread over 1557 square metres still has many of the features of its time as a guesthouse, including a commercial kitchen, restaurant, conference room, sauna, laundry and boiler room.
There are 60 rooms all up, and agent Lena Lahood, from Ray White, said the way it was built meant that a new owner could expand the accommodation substantially.
The owner has restored the building. Photo: Supplied
“Back in the day, large bedrooms were actually made up of two bedrooms, both with separate bathrooms and an adjoining living area in the middle,” she said
“So you can say, to our count, the home actually has 40 bedrooms in total.”
Throughout the 1930s, the property was expanded to include new sections for the growing guesthouse, then called “Wahgunyah”. A ballroom and a large dining room were added in about 1943.
A large neon sign was placed on the building some time after that. The guesthouse was advertised in a colour brochure from the time, featuring new luxurious finishes with all the modern conveniences.
With each new owner, the property was renovated with additions and entirely new sections, transforming the large family home-turned-guesthouse into a grand manor.
One of living areas in the property. Photo: Supplied
By 1987, the property had been renamed the Crystal Lodge, and offered visitors individualised health programmes, a Pritikin diet and relaxation therapies. A well-equipped gymnasium was also added.
It continued to operate as the Crystal Lodge until about 2000. It then lay vacant until the current owner purchased the property in 2009 for $1.012 million.
“The building had been unoccupied for almost ten years when I bought it,” said the owner, who did not wish to be identified.
“When I first laid eyes on it, it was hidden behind a screen of dead and tangled trees, but I could see the gracious Art Deco features, grand portico entrances and elegant tall windows. I knew that the building desperately needed someone to love and renovate it once again.”
The property when it was the Crystal Lodge guesthouse in the 1990s. Photo: Supplied
With a keen interest in art and history, he has since meticulously restored the building, whilst preserving the period features.
“There are many spaces throughout the building; the libraries, the light-filled restaurant and breakfast room, but in winter I love to curl up on one of the sofas in the formal lounge,” he said.
“I love to sit here with a roaring log fire, whilst listening to classical music, or reading a book. It’s heaven! I shall miss it, but I’m sure the magic will continue with a new owner who will love the building as much as me.”
Ms Lahood said the property was in a perfect location, “only five minutes from the Three Sisters, Katoomba town centre, and all the local tourist attractions”. And given its size and previous uses “this opens up many possibilities like a bed and breakfast or an Airbnb property.”
The property is for sale through expressions of interest.
