The Restoration of Glencoe
Spring 2016
Russell and Jane purchased Glencoe and Enstone Park after more than 30 years searching for the right property on Tasmania’s east coast.
At the time of handover, Glencoe was completely derelict. The house had sat abandoned since the 1970s, suffering from rising damp, crumbling walls, failing floors, and extensive weather damage. Despite its condition, the vision from the beginning remained clear — to preserve the homestead's heritage and protect it from further deterioration.
2017 – 2020
The early years of the project were spent behind the scenes.
Planning, redesigning, consultations, approvals, heritage assessments, environmental reports, and countless meetings all formed part of the process required to begin restoration works. The project involved extensive collaboration with architects, heritage specialists, government bodies, and local councils to ensure the integrity of the original homestead could be preserved.
2021 - Restoration Begins
In 2021, work officially began on the restoration of Glencoe.
The first stage focused on carefully stripping the house back to its original structure. Several extensions added during the 1960s were removed, revealing the original stone, brick, and timber beneath. During the process, old bottles, crockery, and other remnants of the home’s past were uncovered within the walls and floors.
One of the most significant challenges was stabilising the building and removing decades of trapped moisture. Extensive air drains were dug both internally and externally around the house to dry the structure and preserve the original mortar and stonework. Existing flooring was removed, the ground excavated, and hydronic underfloor heating was later installed to improve both comfort and long-term preservation.
At the same time, a new insulated roof was carefully constructed over the original roofline, allowing the historic rafters and internal roof structure to remain visible from inside the home while protecting the building from future weather damage.
The result preserves the character and craftsmanship of the original homestead while giving the building a renewed life for generations to come.
2022 — A Pause in the Process
By mid-2022, the homestead had been stabilised and protected from further deterioration, though much work remained.
With the increasing challenges of sourcing skilled tradespeople for heritage restoration work on Tasmania’s east coast, alongside the significant scale and cost of the project, restoration works temporarily slowed.
During this period, the vision for Glencoe continued to evolve — not only as a restored family homestead, but as a place where agriculture, heritage, and tourism could come together.
Support through Tasmania’s Tourism Innovation Grant Program later encouraged the next stage of the project and helped bring the broader vision for Glencoe to life.
2023 – 2024
Restoration works recommenced with the support of local tradespeople, including builders and craftsmen with long-standing ties to the property itself.
Throughout 2024, the project began to truly take shape. Commercial kitchen facilities, custom joinery, bar space, shop interiors, and verandas were completed, along with extensive landscaping and external works.
New double-hung cedar windows and doors were meticulously handcrafted and installed to fit the irregularities of the original stone and brick walls — each one individually measured and shaped to suit the historic structure.
Where possible, original materials were retained and repurposed throughout the project. Within the ablutions building, the roof structure of the old workshop was preserved, along with antique farm equipment and restored workbenches that now form part of the space.
Sandstone sourced from Tasmania’s southern midlands was later installed around the veranda, completing the external restoration works.
2025 — Present
Glencoe’s internal and external restoration works are now complete. The last 12 months have been spent installing irrigation, landscaping the lawn, and adding furniture and fittings. There was still something missing within the homestead - the lighting was off. With all of the original beams and trusses exposed, we needed someone who understood heritage spaces to create a comprehensive lighting plan that would enhance the homestead’s warmth and character without being intrusive. A true compliment to the craftsmanship that it has taken to restore the homestead without taking away from its charm and moody corners.
The landscaping is ongoing; we are taking our time to find the right plants and trees to stand and grow alongside Glencoe. However, the lawn will always be green and ready to welcome you to Glencoe.
