“Heritage.” A word that throughout my career, I’ve seen spark panic in potential buyers. Many fear that heritage classifications mean restrictions that will limit what’s possible with a property. And to some degree, it’s true. But do heritage controls really devalue your property?
Heritage houses are some of my most loved projects. These homes are pieces of history that reveal how people once lived, what was architecturally in vogue, and demonstrate the way houses were crafted in the past. There’s a level of craftsmanship and ornamentation that we rarely see in homes today. Enough time has passed to bestow these old beauties with design’s highest honour - timelessness. Their charm and grandeur still capture our hearts.
Heritage controls are in place to protect these culturally significant buildings from being demolished, ensuring that any renovations remain sympathetic to the original structure. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly support heritage controls. Too many beautiful old homes have already been lost, and many of those that remain have had additions that detract from their original character. Without these protections, history would be compromised, one home at a time.
It’s often the unsympathetic additions, not the heritage controls, that risk devaluing these homes. When you choose to buy a heritage property, you’re choosing to work with the existing structure; it’s not a blank canvas. I’d argue that heritage controls aren’t the restriction; the choice to renovate a home that’s 20 or 120 years old is. You have options. If you value the charm and character of the old, the guidelines won’t feel restrictive—they’ll feel like a roadmap to preserving the essence of the home.
Personally, I adhere to heritage principles even if a house isn’t officially classified. They make sense as a good design practice, helping retain the integrity and beauty of these homes.
Of course, it’s important to remember that heritage properties require a planning application for additions and alterations, which involve extra time and expense. These aren’t quick projects, and they often demand a level of patience. Council guidelines will limit how much you can expand compared to non-heritage properties. The real question then becomes: does the home meet your needs? If not, a younger house without these restrictions may be a better fit.
If a house is protected, it’s significant. It has qualities that other old homes don’t, which makes it more valuable to those who appreciate these characteristics. Think of a $10,000 painting - it’s not worth the price if you don’t connect with it or value the artist’s work. The same principle applies here. Value is in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone wants to live in an old home. But for those who do, the value is unmistakable.
In the end, heritage controls only devalue a property for those who don’t appreciate beautiful old architecture. These homes are rare, and they deserve protection and respect. A good architect can help you navigate any restrictions, ensuring the property remains both functional and authentic. The result? You’re left with something far more valuable than what you started with - a genuine piece of history that only gains greater admiration over time.
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