Behind bars: Once in a lifetime chance to live in a heritage listed former police station

Gerringong’s original police station complete with its two original gaol cells intact, is looking for a new owner to call it home for the first time in more than 90 years.

The property, located at 89 Fern Street, Gerringong served as the NSW South Coast town’s police station from 1882 to 1933 before being converted into a private abode.

The heritage listed home has an asking price of $3.9 million.

Sales agent Angie Ritchie from First National Coast & Country – Gerringong said the property has remained in the same family – the Lees family – since 1933, with the grandson of the original owners now listing it for sale.

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“They’ve done some significant renovations, and they’ve kept all the character features… which is what’s so special about it,” she said.

“They’ve updated it, they’ve modernised it and they’ve made it more contemporary to live in, just keeping those character features, which is fantastic.

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“They renovated the bathroom, renovated the kitchen … the current lounge room actually used to be the exercise yard of the police station so that’s all been covered in but the bars are all still there, but that’s now been made into a usable space.”

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The home, built from local sandstone, bluestone, and Australian red cedar is a relic of the meticulous craftsmanship of Australia’s past, with internal period features still intact including the original iron door, iron bars, hardwood flooring and fireplaces.

The one time gaol cells are now serving as a bedroom and home office.

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Ms Ritchie said part of the home’s special nature was that, for decades, passer-bys would have had no idea of its former life.

According to the NSW Heritage Inventory’s Statement of Significance the residence is notable for its “finely detailed, late nineteenth century police station” and it was a “good example of its type and period.”

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It notes that the building was damaged during a storm in November 1926, and following its closure in 1933 police protection came from nearby Kiama.

It was sold to Mr and Mrs George Lees for £500 as a private residence.

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Set on a 1474sqm block, the sprawling front veranda affords lush views of Werri Beach, the headland, as well as the surrounding mountains.

The listing has generated a huge amount of buyer interest Ms Ritchie said, ranging from people interested in its historical nature, purchasing it as a holiday home or creating a commercial venture.

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