First published 21 Aug 2026, 10:47am
It's rare for a house with such great bones on more than 5,000sqm to be listed in a blue-chip pocket of the capital — and buyers are "pouncing", the agent says.
Nestled between parkland and Capital Hill, Forrest is one of Canberra's oldest, leafiest and wealthiest suburbs, prized for the heritage character of its homes and the generous size of its blocks.
The home sits on a sprawling 5128sqm block in one of Forrest's most tightly held pockets. Picture: realestate.com.au
So when one of the area's vintage offerings hits the market on Forrest's single largest block, it's no wonder buyers are excited.
With a guide price of more than $5m, the solid brick house at 2 Tennyson Crescent, Forrest sits on a whopping 5,128sqm corner parcel and has already attracted plenty of inquiries in its first week on the market.
"It's a very desirable Canberra suburb — some of the most beautiful homes in the city neighbour this property," said agent Mario Sanfrancesco of Blackshaw Manuka.
"Anyone who knows Canberra and sees the right property in this location, they're pouncing. It's no surprise I've had strong interest in this one."
The Parliamentary Triangle is just moments away. Picture: realestate.com.au
At the end of a sweeping circular driveway, the c1929 residence offers five bedrooms, an upgraded kitchen and a mix of living and dining spaces, including a striking sunroom with dramatic windows that frame the grounds.
"The sunroom is my favourite part of the home — you step down into it, and there's glass everywhere. It faces northeast, so you get beautiful light. And if you know Canberra, you know how important the sun is," Mr Sanfrancesco said.
The home's northerly aspect lets in sunshine through floor to ceiling sash windows. Picture: realestate.com.au
Rich in the character of its era, the home features high ceilings, timber floors, sash windows and two fireplaces as well as ducted gas heating.
It flows out to a covered patio, raised garden beds, a full-sized tennis court and a pool, all wrapped in private, mature gardens studded with established deciduous trees.
The existing circa-1929 residence is ready to occupy as is while offering scope for a grand future home. Picture: realestate.com.au
Mr Sanfrancesco says the generous proportions and northerly aspect make for both a wonderful home to enjoy as is, as well as an exceptional canvas for a significant renovation.
"Someone could buy this and make a few slight upgrades to enjoy a character-filled old Forrest home. Or you could build something truly substantial and magnificent — one of Canberra's finest new homes could rise on this site. The location and the land itself deserve that kind of vision."
He said the block also presents a development opportunity under the government's new "missing middle" policy, which aims to deliver medium-density housing in established suburbs rather than only on the city's fringe.
The home has high ceilings, timber floors and two fireplaces. Picture: realestate.com.au
Mr Sanfrancesco said privately held land of this size rarely comes up in Forrest, offering the potential for an impressive family estate built to last generations.
"These are what I call generational real estate. Once they change hands, they tend to stay in the family for decades. Properties like this don't resell in a hurry," he said.
Outside, there's a full-sized tennis court and swimming pool. Picture: realestate.com.au
Fittingly, the home last sold around 24 years ago, in 2002, for $1.79m — with the current owner only now deciding to downsize.
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