A UNIQUE era in the Swinton dynasty came to an end on the weekend when hundreds of people wandered through the front gates of Cintra Lodge, which sold at auction for $660,000.
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Its antique contents also drew buyers from across the state.
The unique English-style double-storey house was built by the late Keith Swinton in 1939 and has remained in the family ownership since.
Auctioneer Brian Hancock said the Henna Street property attracted considerable interest because of its position, history and contents.
The sandstone and clinker-brick building is on a 1062-square-metre corner block with leafy gardens front and rear.
“We had about 350 people go through for inspection during the marketing period,” Mr Hancock told The Standard yesterday.
“At Saturday’s auction about 120 people turned out. The sale opened on a vendor’s bid of $650,000 followed by one bid at $660,000 which was accepted after the family was consulted.”
Mr Hancock said it was bought by a Warrnambool couple with young children seeking a central property.
“The real estate market is still tight, but the right properties are selling,” he said. Yesterday the Swinton collection of 600 items including furniture, antiques and paintings went under the hammer with keen interest from collectors.
The sale went for most of the afternoon.
Among the items was a pair of ruby glass lustres shipped from England by the late Mrs Swinton’s mother in the 1800s.
Two old vases sold for $2000 and $1500. Pieces of furniture with Mrs Swinton’s embroidery were also highly sought after.
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au
