Xavier House sits in an ideal location. Photos: Colliers.
A sprawling property previously known as the ‘Jesuit embassy’ offering significant redevelopment potential has gone on the market in the heart of Yarralumla’s diplomatic precinct.
Colliers is marketing the eight-bedroom, six-bathroom residence at 122 Empire Circuit known as Xavier House, home of the Jesuits in Canberra from 1972 until 2019 when the Catholic order left the national capital.
Set on a 4557 sqm corner block, the building was a doctor’s residence with a downstairs surgery before being bought by one of the first computer companies in Canberra.
The Society of Jesus acquired 122 Empire Circuit in 1972, naming it Xavier House.
According to a 2019 Catholic Voice article by noted Jesuit lawyer and former Superior in Canberra Father Frank Brennan, Xavier House became the base for a small Jesuit community of priests after a shortlived program of Jesuit scholars studying at the ANU and staying with the Dominicans at Blackfriars in Dickson ended in 1971.
“Over time, Xavier House became known as ‘the Jesuit embassy’ as various embassies were constructed nearby, including the European community, the Spanish and the Irish who joined the already existing German and Dutch embassies,” Father Brennan wrote.
Colliers describes the sale as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a landmark property in one of the capital’s most tightly held suburbs and is expected to sell for between $5 million and $6 million.
With a total building area of 581 sqm, the residence offers flexible living arrangements across two expansive levels, including a secure three-car garage and additional gravel parking.
But Colliers says the property’s RZ1 Suburban zoning and generous dual street frontages to Empire Circuit and Arkana Street also provide ample potential for redevelopment or refurbishment.
Its location also makes it an ideal candidate for a future embassy or high commission site, subject to relevant approvals, Colliers says.
Colliers head of Capital Markets and Investment Services ACT, Matthew Winter said the property was a rare offering.
“Properties of this scale, in this location, simply don’t come to market,” he said.
“With over 40 embassies and high commissions nearby and just minutes from Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin, 122 Empire Circuit is a blue-ribbon address with unmatched prestige and potential.”
National director of development Paul Powderly said that since 2019 the property was rented out to people with church connections but it had not been in use recently, and why the Jesuits had decided to sell.
Mr Powderly said interest in the property had been very strong with more than two dozen enquiries already. This included some members of the diplomatic community interested in its potential as a residence but also “high net worth” people seeking a “nice” block to build a home.
He said the Territory Plan could allow the block to be subdivided to build two homes but the location lent itself more to a single residence.
“I think someone will buy, live in it for a while and then plan a new residence,” Mr Powderly said.
“Ultimately when you spend that sort of money on a block of dirt you want to build a home that’s your dream home.”
The property is being offered with vacant possession through an expression of interest process, closing 4 pm on Thursday, 21 August.
