02 March 2023
Our recent sale at 95-97 Spit Road, Mosman was a property full of charm and family history. The property has been held by the same family for 103 years, and hold some pretty special family memories, from watching the surf boats being towed down to Manly for the annual carnival during the 1930’s, or more recently holding working bees to maintain the property, this home has seen four generations of this family through its doors.
The property was purchased in 1920 by Joseph de Monchaux, a CBA Bank Manager, who had grown up in Hunters Hill. At that time he was sent to manage the CBA branch in Broken Hill. It was there that Joseph met Minnie Lillian Fitzpatrick, known as Bobbie, who would soon become his wife. Bobbie was born in Adelaide and had moved with her family to Broken Hill when she was a small child. Bobbie was musical and her extended family were all professional musicians. Her mother, Mrs Regina Fitzpatrick, was licensee of a number of pubs in Broken Hill; in fact, the Tydvil Hotel still operates to this day.
Joseph and Bobbie were married in Broken Hill in 1921, moving to other regional bank postings before settling at 97 Spit Road around 1926 with their young children Cecily, aged 5, and Robert aged 3. Bobbie’s mother also lived with the family. They lived in 97 Spit Road while 95 was always leased to tenants. One of Robert’s favourite childhood memories of living on Spit Road was seeing many surf boats being towed past his home to the annual surf carnival at Manly Beach. Another was the wonderful summers of his youth spent with the local kids cooling off at the Spit Baths.
The family lived here until the early 1930’s when they moved to another Mosman residence. Mrs Regina Fitzpatrick continued to live at 97 Spit Road until she passed away in 1936.
The property has remained in the family until now, making the decision to sell a difficult one. The rich family history layered by previous generations resonated strongly with the current owners. However, the family felt moving the property on was the right thing to do.
Once the decision was made they gave Cunninghams agent Mark Connor a call. Together with Kylie Mounsey, Mark knew they would be able to help the family, targeting investors and potential developers to investigate whether the property would qualify for a development site. The two properties on one title on a busy road with no parking also gave it some limitations.
After two opens, Mark and Kylie had six interested parties, eventually coming down to one party. All parties are thrilled with the quick result.
View sold listing: https://www.cunninghamsre.com.au/property/house-nsw-mosman-1p19388/
If you are looking to sell and would like selling or buying advice you can contact Mark on 0417 200 973 or on email. Or contact Kylie on 0421 710 840 or email.
If you’d like to track the value of your home, compare recent sales and find out how much your property is worth in the current market, you can book your free appraisal here.
