Peppy Grove mansion piece of Perth history
The historic Peppermint Grove mansion that became the home of pioneering feminist Bessie Rischbieth has gone on the market with a minimum $15 million price tag.
The grand five-bedroom, three-bathroom View Street property named Unalla, built for Mrs Rischbieth and her wool merchant husband Henry Wills Rischbieth, goes on sale today for the first time in 65 years.
Mrs Rischbieth, a prominent women's rights campaigner, was active in several groups, including the Children's Protection Society and the Women's Service Guilds of WA, before her death in 1967.
Built in 1903, her former home has only had one other owner in the late sailing identity Bruce Campbell. Selling agent Chris Shellabear said many of the building's original features had been kept intact.
"It's essentially in its original condition, apart from some bathrooms and kitchens," Mr Shellabear said.
"It's head and shoulders above all the others in the area I've seen in this style . . . it shows that when the house was built it was built with no expense spared."
On a 4360sqm block, the original building was designed by prominent architect Charles Oldham and included a well, a fern house and a tennis court.
The property was heritage listed because of its aesthetic significance and Mr Shellabear said its flagpole, visible from the roadside, drew interest from passers-by.
"People sometimes think it's an embassy," he said.
"It's a beautiful property the way it's set a long way from the street, it's really been a bit of a beacon on that corner."
