A rare piece of Sydney's architectural heritage has come to market – the matrimonial mansion of celebrated architect Henry E. Budden, designer of the iconic David Jones Sydney CBD building.

(source: BresicWhitney)

Built in 1901 as Budden's wedding gift to himself and his bride Ella Thomas (one of the early women to receive a BA from Sydney University), 'Morillah' at 54 Woolwich Road, Hunters Hill, was designed without compromise – prioritising light, Lane Cove River views, and Australia's unique climate over typical Queen Anne conventions. It became the template for what would be known as the distinctive 'Budden style.'

(source: BresicWhitney)

The name 'Morillah' remains carved in the original stone wall beside the front gate. Over 125 years, the mansion has housed generations of families – including one family of 10 in the 1960s-70s (all boys, some sleeping on the verandah), and the Griffin family whose sweeping verandah became a wartime station for volunteers making camouflage nets while children played on the lawns below.

(source: BresicWhitney)

The defining feature every family mentions? Light. Budden's innovative angular design floods the home with northern sun year-round while capturing those prized river views – a vision that remains as relevant today as it was in 1901.

(source: BresicWhitney)

BresicWhitney’s Nicholas McEvoy said, "What makes Morillah special is that it's the architect's own home – designed without compromise for how he wanted to live. The combination of that architectural significance, the 1457sqm holding with dual street frontages, and DA-approved plans for a contemporary transformation creates something quite unique for Hunters Hill.

(source: BresicWhitney)

"You can live in it beautifully as it is, or realise the approved vision for a modern family estate – that flexibility at this price point is rare. When you walk through and experience that light Budden designed for, you understand why every family who's lived here mentions it first."

(source: BresicWhitney)

Property Information:

• Price guide of $9 million, scheduled for auction on Saturday 14 February
• Two-storey sandstone and slate 1901 Federation mansion on 1457sqm of north-facing land with sweeping Lane Cove River views
• Dual street frontages: Woolwich Road (34.8m) and Serpentine Street (41.9m)
• DA approval in place for full-sized tennis court, pool, lift, renovations and basement with cinema, gym, storage and generous parking
• 5 bedrooms including master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite, 3 living rooms, formal and casual dining rooms