Soldiers Hill Heritage Home Goes From Unliveable to a $2.2 Million Auction Pad
A Soldiers Hill house once deemed unliveable has been rebuilt into a large family home. The heritage-listed property now features a modern extension out the back. The finished home heads to auction later this month.
The owners bought the place in rough condition and carried out a full renovation. They kept the original Victorian front and added new living space behind it. Now they are ready to sell.
Image credit: "Ballarat terrace side on" by Biatch2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image for reference only.
A heritage home on a big block
The property is at 10 Clarendon Street in Soldiers Hill, Ballarat. It sits on a block of 1,020 square metres. The residence is heritage listed and rises across three levels.
That heritage status shaped the entire project. It protected the home's original character and set firm rules for what the owners could change. The result blends an old front with a new rear in one cohesive home.
A block of this size gives the home room to breathe. There is space for the rear extension and for the outdoor entertaining area that came later. Three levels give the home vertical space as well as a wide footprint.
Buying an unliveable house
The owners, Renee Weyers and her husband, bought the home when it was, in her words, a dog's breakfast. It had been deemed unliveable. The kitchen had no floor, and the three bedrooms all needed significant work.
The couple took on a serious project. A home in that state meant starting from a difficult place. Houses like this rarely suit buyers who want a quick turnaround. They suit people who are ready to commit time and money.
Restoring a home like this is not a small task. It takes planning, patience, and a willingness to work within tight rules. But the couple saw the chance to restore a heritage property rather than replace it. The poor condition was a hurdle, but it also gave them room to shape the home from the ground up.
Planning around a heritage listing
Because the home is heritage listed, planning approval took nearly two years. The redesign had to meet clear requirements. One key rule was a clear distinction between the old and new parts of the house.
That rule shaped how the home looks today. The original front keeps its Victorian identity. The new rear reads clearly as a modern addition. The contrast between the two is part of the design rather than a flaw.
Keeping the two parts distinct is a common approach when heritage rules apply. It lets the original work stand on its own while the new work speaks for itself. Nearly two years is a long time to wait, but the couple pushed through to get the result they wanted.
The renovation
The home was built by Weycon P/L and designed by Luke Jennings of Project Now. The original Victorian facade was preserved, along with its leadlight windows and veranda. Inside, the older section keeps its arched hallways, high ceilings, and timber floors.
A modern rear extension sits behind the old facade. It uses expansive glazing to bring in light. Bespoke joinery, custom cabinetry, and storage feature throughout. The layout is flexible, so the space can adapt to different needs.
The glazing opens the back of the home to natural light. The joinery and cabinetry give the new space a tailored feel, with storage built into the design itself. Each room was reworked to suit modern life while keeping the home's original feel.
The kitchen anchors the new part of the home. It has a generous island bench. That central bench becomes a natural gathering point for family and guests, and a hub for cooking and casual meals.
The home now has five bedrooms. What began as a cramped and damaged house has become a proper family residence with room to spare. The extra rooms suit a growing family, visitors, or a home office.
Living and entertaining
Outside, the home is set up for resort-style entertaining. A pool is visible from the main living areas, which links the indoor and outdoor spaces. The rear yard is built for long afternoons and summer evenings.
Resort-style entertaining means the home is designed for outdoor living as much as indoor. The pool sits where it can be seen from the living areas. That sightline ties the outdoor space to the indoors and makes the entertaining area feel connected.
One detail ties the old and new together. An outdoor fireplace was built using the original combustion stove from the old kitchen. It gives the entertaining area a direct link back to the home's history, a small gesture that honours the house's past.
Heading to auction
The home is listed for auction at 10:30 am on 25 September. Ray White Ballarat agent Mark Williams is handling the sale. The price guide is set at $2 million to $2.2 million.
That figure reflects how far the property has come. A house once ruled unfit to live in now carries a guide in the millions. It shows what a careful heritage renovation can achieve in a sought-after part of Ballarat.
A landmark on the market
This Soldiers Hill home is a reminder of what patient restoration can do. It kept the best of the past and added the comforts of the present. Now it is ready for its next owners to enjoy.
To learn more about this area, read our Ballarat suburb guide. You can also explore the wider Ballarat region for more on the district. And for a complete look at towns and regions across Victoria, visit our Victoria local guide.
Works Cited
Hendley, Shona. "'Unliveable' Soldiers Hill Home Now on Sale for $2.2m Pad." realestate.com.au (Herald Sun), 14 Sept. 2026, https://www.realestate.com.au/news/unliveable-soldiers-hill-home-now-on-sale-for-22m-pad/.