One of Guildford's most recognisable historic properties, the famous Bushells tea house, has been snapped up by a pair of renovators for a cool $1 million.
Huge Crowds Flock to See a Piece of History
The unique property attracted massive interest, with around 150 people turning up across two home opens. The successful buyers were a father-daughter team of renovators, who secured the iconic piece of Perth's streetscape with their seven-figure offer.
The sale was managed by property agents Angelica Pietrzak and Boyd Fraser. The landmark is situated on a 694 square metre block and is most famous for the ghost outline of the original Bushells sign on its front facade.
A Bargain Price for Three Properties
The $1 million price tag is considered a significant bargain, given the sale includes not one, but three separate buildings on the single block. The main front residence, which carries the famous sign, is joined by a converted former horse stable and a third cottage built in the 1930s.
While the homes are in need of renovation and are described as fairly run down, they retain period features and soaring ceilings, despite some work done in the 1980s.
A Building Steeped in Guildford's Past
The site's history is rich and varied. Local historians believe the main building was originally constructed around 1890 as a butcher's shop. Over the decades, it has also served as a fishmonger, a saddlery, and a bootmaker before becoming associated with the Bushells tea brand.
The painted Bushells sign itself is a celebrated relic of a bygone era of advertising, capturing a snapshot of Guildford's streetscape from a time before digital marketing. The Bushells Tea company was founded by Alfred Bushell in Queensland in 1883 and was the dominant tea brand in Australia during the interwar years.
The sale concludes a notable chapter for this piece of local heritage, passing it into the hands of new owners who plan to restore its unique character for future generations.
