Belle Property

History of the Property A significant part of Sydney’s heritage Innisfallen Castle is a peerless estate which is steeped in history and ranks among Australia’s finest properties.This landmark 1903 sandstone castle occupies 8,333sqm of breathtaking waterfront reserve land overlooking Middle Harbour and Sugarloaf Bay. Henry Willis (1860-1950) a businessman and MP for Robertson in Australia’s first three Federal Parliaments (1901-1910) built the residence in1903. He named it ‘Innisfallen Castle’ after an island in Country Kerry, Ireland, home to the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, whose impressive archaeological remains date from the early Christian period. The Willis family, who acquired 52 acres of land, engaged in light farming in the early years and lived under relatively primitive conditions until the 1960’s. It was not until 1967 that the house was connected to town water and electricity. In the 1960’s most of the Willis land was sold to Headland Developments, with the exception of the house and immediate grounds, which were purchased by the current owner in the 1980’s. It is listed on the Heritage Council of NSW. An Architectural Triumph Taking 18 months to build, the three storey Gothic style castle is constructed entirely of sandstone quarried on the property and still stands solid and proud to this day. The castle rooms are unusually generous in their proportions for a home of that era, enhanced by soaring 16ft ceilings. An impressive formal entry foyer features a sweeping western red cedar staircase as its focal point.Additional original features include joinery from local cedar trees, kauri floors and marble fireplaces.