A unique opportunity to take up residence in ‘Birida’, one of Armidale’s most notable surviving Federation houses, exists following the passing of Beth Moore.

Mrs Moore, the daughter of William Dickson, president of the Upper House from 1952 to 1966, was brought up in the leafy surrounds of Parsley Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

She toured Australia in the late 1940s as a performer and stage manager with the John Alden Shakespeare Company, going on to purchase the estate in the 1980s with physicist husband Terry Moore.

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Her son, Sandy Moore, describes Birida as "a truly beautiful property with a real soul".

“There have only been three private owners in 120 years and the property has always sold as an estate,” he said.

“Not one of the owners, including my parents, chose to leave, which says a great deal about what it is like to live there.

“As a family, we’re very sad to say goodbye to Birida.”

Mr Moore believes the apartment, which was home to his mother for more than 30 years, would be sought after by capital city residents looking for space and serenity or those downsizing from large rural properties.

“The Birida apartment will be probably be bought for a fraction of what someone might expect to pay for a Sydney apartment or get for their city property," he said.

"To buy into something this beautiful for such an affordable price will be somebody’s dream come true.

“Mum always felt that Armidale offered the village atmosphere that Parsley Bay and Vaucluse had back in the 30s."

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Sitting on 2384 square metres, Birida was built from Armidale blue brick in 1907 as a retirement property for pioneer pastoralist George Baker.

In 1940, the property was bought from the Baker family by the Presbyterian Church to be used as the country arm of the Presbyterian Ladies’ College.

Retired architect J.R Magoffin purchased the estate in the 1960s and remained in the property till his death in the 1980s.

Armidale City Council granted Terry and Beth Moore permission to divide the property into four luxury apartments in 1991.

They retained Apartment 3, the main centre section of the original home containing the magnificent hallway and the exquisite drawing room, as their residence.

Selling agent Gail Schaefer of Uphill & Schaefer Real Estate said the apartment had the finest period features complemented by all the modern conveniences expected in a luxury residence.

“When built, it was a grand home and grounds befitting the status of a well-known local pastoral family,” she said.

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The impressive apartment combines a majestic turreted 3.7-metre wide entry portico, a 16-metre long hallway featuring a pressed metal ceiling, leadlight pendants and hand-blocked friezes and a drawing room with bay window and open fireplace, as well as a practical three-bedroom, two-bathroom layout, including a sleek new kitchen and recently refitted bathrooms.

Mr Moore said all formal rooms had been "splendidly restored". 

The property is now offered for sale by the estate of Beth Moore and goes to auction on 21 November with Uphill & Schaefer Real Estate.

Armidale, in the New England High Country of New South Wales, is halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, with the drive from each being less than six hours. 

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