Few homes make an entrance quite like this. Beyond an ornate iron gate, bluestone steps rise to a path lined with sculpted box hedges and bright azaleas, leading to a grand two-storey façade dressed in cast-iron lace. For more than 160 years, this Victorian beauty has graced the street, and it has lost none of its presence.
Inside, a soaring arched hallway establishes the sense of scale. The lounge and dining room are pure theatre, with crystal chandeliers, elaborate cornices, fireplaces with marble and carved timber mantels, and tall sash windows that fill both with light.
Past the formal rooms, the interior settles into a more relaxed rhythm. Slate floors run through a striking kitchen where a black stone waterfall bench meets crisp white cabinetry, and a wide Smeg oven and six-burner gas cooktop cater to the most ambitious of menus. French doors open from the meals area to the garden, while the expansive rear family room has a character all its own, with honey-toned joinery bringing warmth to its impressive proportions. Outside, mature trees shelter the lawn, creating a secluded inner-city haven.
Two staircases lead to the upper level, where a jewel-like stained glass window bathes the stairwell in cobalt light, and in the afternoon, small patches of blue drift slowly across the walls. The main bedroom is complete with a walk-in robe and an ensuite with a spa bath and brass tapware, while three further bedrooms share the family bathroom. One of the bedrooms opens to the front balcony, with the treetops at eye level. The study feels like a private library, its rich timber shelving and glass-fronted cabinets making room for books, collections and the things gathered over a lifetime. A balcony of its own gives you somewhere to step outside between meetings, or take your reading into the fresh air.
A powder room for guests, a fitted laundry, ducted heating, split systems and a video intercom at the entrance attend to modern comforts without disturbing the period authenticity. An attic offers generous storage, and the double carport includes a workshop behind.
Alma Park is a gentle stroll away, with Albert Park nearby, Chapel and Fitzroy Streets close at hand for evenings out, and fine schools and trams within easy reach. Graceful, generous and rich in history, it’s unforgettable from the first step.
