A gothic mansion that resembles castles from the Harry Potter series is up for sale for the first time in 16 years.
The $2.86million home – named Beauxbatons Manor, reference to a school in the popular books and films – is in Sassafras, in the Dandenong Ranges about 40km east of Melbourne’s CBD.
Built in the 1950s, the four-bedroom manor’s gothic windows and soaring ceilings make it seem like something straight out of a fantasy movie.
The mansion even has hidden rooms with doors that camouflage into wall paper – another element seen in the popular wizard films.
It also houses gothic doorways and a giant timber and cast iron stairway in the middle of the three story home.
Sara Lacey has lived in the home with her husband and two daughters since they were young.
Ms Lacey said that when people came to visit the 2551 square metre property, they said it was ‘just like (something) out of a Harry Potter movie’.
‘My girls thought for a while they were living in a castle,’ Ms Lacey told the Herald Sun.
‘When we saw it, we fell in love with it. I loved all the old charm – the panelling, period detailing, the chandeliers, high ceilings.’
Another feature of the incredible mansion is the stone staircase that leads up to the front door with four bronze statues on either side.
Along with an outdoor area with city views, the home’s top floor was a private cinema room where the family would host their own movie nights.
The Laceys are hoping to downsize after selling the mansion.
Real estate agents Corinne Sukroo and Jo Hirst said they had ‘tingles’ when they first saw the manor.
Ms Sukroo said her first thoughts were how similar the architecture of the house was to something ‘you see in the Harry Potter films’.
The real estate agent said despite the affects of coronavirus onto the community, there was immediate interest from buyers.
‘(Inquiry is coming from) inner-city people who want to escape,’ she said.
