Magdala, Fitzroy North trophy home remains for sale

Magdala, one of North Fitzroy's most significant residences, remains for sale with a $4.45 million asking price having failed to sell at weekend auction.

The 1887 home was refurbished in the exuberant Art Nouveau times of 1905 by the Bendigo dentist David Watson overlooking the Edinburgh Gardens.

Topped by a tower of the Mogul Imperial style, it was marketed as having truly opulent interiors. It last sold at $735,000 in 1996 and before that $136,600 in 1977.

It was also the Fitzroy North abode that the Dalai Lama stayed at during his first visit to Australia in 1982.

The 43 Alfred Crescent, Fitzroy North four-bedroom home was passed in on a vendor’s bid of $4 million at weekend auction through Nelson Alexander Fitzroy agent Arch Staver.

The neighbouring 1888 laced property, Mygunyah sold in 2012 at $3.53 million through Nelson Alexander, the crescent record. Prices hit $3 million back in 2009. There was one sale above $3 million last year at $3.14 million, with the four bedroom terrace up for rent at $1,250 a week last December.

David Watson, died at 14 Dawson Avenue, Elwood, aged 68  years, having been born in Edinburgh in 1848. He arrived in Australia around 1870 heading to Bendigo in 1878, where he practised as a dentist until about 1891. He was later a dentist in Russell Street, Melbourne, and subsequently in Fitzroy.

The Watson's sold in 1914.

The house had been built for coach builder William Hobbs.