The Anchorage, Sorrento
| The Anchorage | |
|---|---|
  Location of the house in Greater Metropolitan Melbourne | |
Interactive map of the The Anchorage area | |
General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | House / villa |
Architectural style | Victorian |
| Location | 3273 Point Nepean Road, Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Coordinates | 38°20′24″S 144°44′40″E / 38.339921°S 144.744538°E |
Completed | 1873 |
| Renovated | c. 2014 |
| Client | George Coppin |
| Owner | Coppin family (1893–1960) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | |
| Size | 5-bedroom |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Grounds | c. 0.27 ha (.66 acres) |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | John Farnsworth |
| Renovating team | |
| Renovating firm | Allan Powell Architect |
Official name | The Anchorage |
| Type | Registered place |
| Designated | 9 November 2000 |
| Reference no. | H1899 |
| HO258 | |
Category | Residential buildings (private) |
Official name | The Anchorage |
| Type | Defunct register |
| Designated | undated |
| Reference no. | 103075 |
The Anchorage is a villa located at 3273 Point Nepean Road in Sorrento, on the Mornington Peninsula, in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia.
Built in 1873 on the traditional lands of the Bunurong people, the house was added to the Victorian Heritage Register on 9 November 2000 in recognition of its historical and architectural significance;[1] and, on unknown dates, was also added to non-statutory lists by the Victorian branch of the National Trust[2] and the now defunct Register of the National Estate.[3]
History
In 1870, George Coppin, a comedian, politician, philanthropist and businessman, brought a group of businessmen to Sorrento by steamer to interest them in the development of the town as a tourist destination. He became involved in a number of public and commercial ventures to develop the town. He instigated, in 1874, the Ocean Amphitheatre Company, the Sorrento Park Trust, and the Sorrento & Queenscliffe Navigation Company; in 1875, the Sorrento Continental Hotel Company, the Sorrento Tramway Trust, the Sorrento Baths, and the Ocean Park Trust; and in the following year, the Sorrento Hotel and the Mechanics Institute Trust. His companies purchased most of the township area of 91 hectares (225 acres), subdividing it into household blocks for re-sale, and built six demonstration houses.[1]
The Anchorage was constructed in 1873 as a holiday house for Coppin and his wife, Lucy, by John Farnsworth, a local contractor, with the help of Mr Leniker. The residence in a prominent position in the town was used by Coppin as a holiday house for his own family and for his many guests for over thirty years.[1]
After Coppin’s death in 1906, the house continued to be used by the Coppin family until the death of Lucy Coppin in 1960. Lucy Coppin made a practice of inviting the residents of the Old Colonists retirement village in North Fitzroy for an annual visit to Sorrento. The visitors arrived by steamer, were given lunch at one of the hotels, taken on the tram to the Back Beach and entertained at “The Anchorage” for afternoon tea. They returned to Melbourne on the steamer at the end of the day.[1]
The house sold for A$8.06 million in March 2008.[4] In 2014, the house was extensively renovated by the Melbourne-based Allan Powell Architects, as a large summerhouse for family and friends, with the flexibility to allow smaller groups.[5]
Description
The Anchorage is a remarkably intact Victorian symmetrical five-bedroom villa, constructed in local limestone, set on a cliff-top that overlooks the town. The house is located at the north-east corner of the block which is sparsely planted and slopes down towards the opposite corner.[1][3]
Limestone additions have been added to the rear of the building in two storeys, and also to the east. There is also a new slate roof. The verandah returns on three sides and is fenced partially by a short hedge. The posts appear to be new but the lacework is reputed to bear the inscription of the date of construction: 'Erected Oct. 30, 1873'.[3] There was a small theatre in the basement which is no longer extant. The Anchorage is historically significant to the State of Victoria for its association with Coppin and his business ventures to encourage tourism. The Anchorage is architecturally significant as a representative and substantially intact example of an 1870s holiday house constructed of the local limestone in the seaside resort of Sorrento on a prominent site overlooking the town.[1]
The property is one of the oldest and most intact residences in the Sorrento area and is comparable to other large residences such as North Esk and Hindson House, which date from the same period.[3]
In 2008, the selling agent described that house as "…set on c. 0.27 hectares (.66 acres) with established grounds and north-facing front-lawn views from the Sorrento Pier to Arthurs Seat and beyond, with built in al fresco dining table. The villa has a grand entry that opened to a lounge/sitting room with open fire place and bay windows, dining room, magnificent kitchen, large master bedroom with walk-in-wardrobes and ensuite that opened out to the verandah, two double guest bedrooms – one with ensuite – and family bathroom; two further bedrooms, study, large bathroom and separate laundry – all downstairs. Additional features included a theatre room/games rooms, central heating throughout and security system, under house storage, and cellar."[4]
In 2014, additional features were added include a big rumpus room, an extra four bedrooms, a games room, a gym and a day spa area.[5]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Anchorage, Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H1899, Heritage Overlay HO258". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 27 July 2026. – (includes "History" section)
- ↑ "The Anchorage (NTA-V list: Property No B6054)". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "The Anchorage (Place ID 103075)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. n.d. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- 1 2 "3273 Point Nepean Road, Sorrento, Vic 3943". RealEstate.com.au. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- 1 2 Owen, Freya (17 March 2014). "The Anchorage". Modern Heritage Matters. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
External links
- Kruger, F. (1880). The Anchorage, Sorento. Propt. Hon. George Coppin, Esq (image) – via State Library of Victoria.
- 1873 establishments in Australia
- Buildings and structures in the Shire of Mornington Peninsula
- Houses completed in 1873
- Houses in Melbourne
- Places on the Victorian Heritage Register in the Shire of Mornington Peninsula
- Victorian architecture in Victoria (state)
- Victorian places listed on the defunct Register of the National Estate