By Corey Everitt
Prime land in Officer’s future town centre has sold for millions with its new owners catching attention after demolishing the display home that had resided there for almost two decades.
Many who commute through Princes Highway would have noticed the streetscape of Officer had changed slightly with the house at 1 Station Street.
The Victorian Homestead style home, used as a display home, was demolished last week as the new owner sets into developing the 3.8 acres of land.
The property was sold in a private agreement that saw the land bought for roughly $8 million.
The former structure on the property was never a residence but was constructed as a display/office by home builder Harkaway Homes.
They operated from the space for over a decade before selling it and moving to their current office in Pakenham.
The company built two display homes on the property, another adjacent to the building which stayed. This display home was not destroyed but transported to Longwarry where it was sold as a residence.
Harkaway Homes sales consultant John Roulent said it was a bit of shock to see the home go.
“It was our home away from home, I only drove past it the other day when it was completely gone, quite surreal,” he said.
“From a nostalgic point of view it was a bit upsetting for all of us, but you can’t hold back progress.”
When Harkaway Homes originally sold the property, the then-owner applied for a permit to build a hotel on the property.
The application was rejected by councillors after a community campaign opposed the proposal due to it including up to 80 gambling machines on the premises.
With a new owner purchasing the property, it is unknown yet by the Gazette what is planned for the property.
Within the Urban Design Framework (UDF) for the Officer town centre, approved by Cardinia Shire Council last week, the area is zoned for commercial use as the ‘gateway’ for Officer with primary roles being for highway retail, showrooms and bulk goods.
