Edwina Bartholomew has finally received approval to move ahead with her dream to convert a dilapidated country pub 251kms from Sydney into a luxury getaway.
The popular Sunrise presenter bought the 177-year-old property in Carcoar, NSW in May, 2023, but the project has suffered extensive delays in the heritage protected town.
Now given the green light from local council to begin construction, Edwina, 41, and her husband, Neil Varcoe, have unveiled their ambitious plans for the boutique hotel.
Development applications reveal the old pub, re-named by the couple as Saltash Farm, will consist of three new guest cabins, a house and main guesthouse.
Plans also include a pool and long pavilion, to be built at a later stage.
‘Carcoar is very cold in winter so you’ll see a beautiful wood fire in each cabin and cladding inside and out,’ Edwina told Realestate.com on Monday.
‘Every single room and bathroom in the main guest house is a different colour and design. There is a blue colour scheme throughout the ground floor but each bedroom has its own character too.’
Edwina and Neil are collaborating with Melbourne architects Studio Esteta on the plans, which will the couple’s first commercial project.
Edwina Bartholomew has finally received approval to move ahead with her dream to convert a dilapidated country pub 251kms from Sydney into a luxury getaway. Pictured at this year’s Logie Awards
The popular Sunrise presenter bought the 177-year-old property in Carcoar, NSW in May, 2023, but the project has suffered extensive delays in the heritage protected town. Pictured: An artist’s rendering of the planned communal dining room
An artists rendering of a communal dining table in the main guesthouse reveals a muted colour scheme and a rustic atmosphere with timber finishings and retro light fittings.
The newsreader turned house flipper has also shared a photo of the reception room, which features a timber desk, a fireplace and retro arm chairs.
Other plans for the reception include large landscape paintings by Queensland artist, Kate Pittas.
Now given the green light from local council to go ahead with construction, Edwina, 41, and her husband, Neil Varcoe, have unveiled their ambitious plans. Pictured: The proposed reception area featuring paintings by Queensland artist Kate Pittas
Meanwhile, the report reveals that the go-ahead from the local Blayney council came after the site was given the ‘all-clear’ from historians and indigenous elders who inspected the site for artefacts.
Edwina made headlines last year after listing her flash pad in Sydney’s inner-west in March, 2023 for $2.1million.
That same month Edwina and Neil, who share Molly, four, and Tom, two, purchased their new property in Carcoar for $2.1million.
It comes after Edwina began sharing her renovation journey with followers on Instagram soon after the couple bought the old pub.
In May, 2023, Edwina posted a video showcasing the property, known as ‘The Victoria Hotel’, which was built in 1846.
The video showed off the inside the two-storey historical property and its stunning architectural design, including a beautiful balcony and French windows.
Edwina has revealed that each bathroom in the new cabins will have a different design
In May, 2023, Edwina posted a video showcasing the property, known as ‘The Victoria Hotel’, which was built in 1846. (Pictured)
‘In 1846, it was built on the banks of the Belubula River in Carcoar. 177 years later, on the same land, The Victoria returns to welcome a new generation of guests,’ she wrote.
‘A new chapter for the town time forgot. A new full-time project for us. A new side hustle for me in addition to waking up with you every morning on @sunriseon7.
‘Reopening 2025 (with a lot of Fawlty Towers updates to come between now and then),’ she added.
