Six modern apartments within the historic former Redemptorist Monastery in Wendouree will go under the auctioneer’s hammer next Saturday as part of a liquidation sale.

They include units within the front wing – one which incorporates the old monastery clock tower and its intricate chime mechanism – and one within the former chapel.

Doepel Lilley Taylor sales consultant Ian Moyle said he had not seen anything like the amount of interest in a property, particularly from Melbourne buyers.

“Quite a lot are potential owner-occupiers,” Mr Moyle explained.

“The apartments range in size from 12 squares to 30 squares and all have two car parking spaces. Our expectation is they will sell from $240,000 to $320,000.”

The front wing of the Redemptorist Monastery was built in 1891 using Grampians sandstone and bluestone from quarries in the Ballarat area.

The chapel was built in 1911 and the north wing in 1933. While each section was designed by a different architect, they were deliberately designed to match with the original design of the front wing.

The monastery was made up of scores (as many as 80) of tiny, single person-sized rooms which were barely larger than prison cells. They were often used as a retreat for members of the public.

The buildings ceased being used as a monastery in the mid-1990s and were left vacant until sold to a developer.

Internal walls were knocked down to create 33 apartments, managed by a body corporate. The chapel was divided into four apartments, for example, of which two will be up for auction.

Even the smallest two-bedroom apartment for sale has two large bedrooms.

The six apartments will be auctioned on-site on in Gillies Street on Saturday between 11am and noon.

gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au