When Fiona Low and her husband Graeme bought her childhood home in Merewether two decades ago, a complete reimagining of the weatherboard cottage unearthed pieces of the property's history, including two wells.
The wells have since been transformed into an underground wine cellar, accessed via a ladder in the butler's pantry.
"There were two wells under the house and when we did the renovation, we converted it properly into a cellar," Ms Low said.
"It's a beautiful spot, it's very cool down there, so it's perfect for storing wine."
Her parents originally purchased the home when she was a child, drawn to the block's elevated position that takes in panoramic 360-degree views.
Decades later, Fiona and Graeme raised their own two children there, closing out a 50-year family chapter.
"When mum and dad bought it, it was a tiny little weatherboard cottage," she said.
"It has undergone several renos and we did one major renovation about 10 years ago.
"We worked with the footprint but we basically rebuilt the whole house to make it the house it is today."
A decade after completing the extensive, architect-designed renovation, the Macquarie Street house is on the market for the first time, listed with Belinda Bartholomew-Walsh of Harcourts Newcastle with a $3.65 million to $4 million price guide.
Designed by architect James Craft and constructed by builder Danny Smith, the home sits high and capitalises on views stretching from the city and ocean to Port Stephens and towards Barrington Tops.
"You can see everything - there is a view from pretty much every room," she said.
"You can see up to Stockton and to Merewether Golf Club from the bathroom, the racecourse and up to the Hunter Valley on the front deck, and then out to the ocean from the back.
"The sunsets from the front deck are just incredible - you don't get anything better than that.
"We have been very blessed to have had those views."
Recycled timbers from the original weatherboard home were also incorporated into the modern design.
"When we pulled up a lot of stuff during the renovation, we found old railway sleepers and the timbers in the bathroom are recycled hardwood from the original house," she said.
"Everlong Joinery did all of the joinery in the house, including the beautiful vanity in the bathroom, so we incorporated some of the old into the new."
Connected by a floating staircase, the home's layout was built around light, space, and entertaining.
Upstairs comprises the main bedroom suite with a walk-in robe and en suite, plus two additional bedrooms, a living room, and a main bathroom.
The ground floor features an expansive open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area with a cocktail bar, two additional bedrooms, a bathroom, and a media room.
The living spaces flow out to an outdoor terrace and deck overlooking the swimming pool.
"It is a wonderful place for entertaining," she said.
"In winter, it's great with the fire pit on the lower deck and in summer with the pool."
Ms Bartholomew-Walsh said the first open inspection attracted 14 groups, with the views and quality of the build drawing strong early interest.
"It is very difficult to find a home that has 360-degree views like that," she said.
"The quality of the build was really appreciated - it's a lot of concrete, big metal beams, and the way they have utilised the block to create so many different spaces, buyers loved that."
According to Cotality, the median house value in Merewether is $2.04 million.
