Conceived and developed by Martin Sachs between 1963 and 1968, this architecturally cohesive cul-de-sac in Beaumaris remains one of Melbourne’s most intact expressions of mid-century design. Known for his forward-thinking, Californian-influenced homes, Sachs created a series of residences that captured the optimism of their era, designed for light, openness, and for families who saw the outdoors not as a backdrop, but as a living extension of the home.
Number 18 is a leading example, affectionately called the ‘Shubb House’. Its flat roofline, orange brick facade and extensive glazing sit quietly within a minimalist garden setting, offering instant calm before even crossing the threshold. Original elements and thoughtful updates work in tandem here, each decision reflecting restraint and respect for the home’s architectural DNA. The house unfolds in two distinct wings, arranged around a central corridor that lets light flow from end to end. Engineered oak floors and expansive glazing give each room a tangible connection to its environment, reinforcing the mid-century sensibility that garden, light and life should always intersect. Formal sitting and dining rooms retain their original timber joinery and sense of occasion, with broad windows looking out to the lush rear garden, generous, private and primed for a future pool if desired (STCA).
At the centre, the kitchen has been revived with a sympathetic, yet highly functional modern design, with premium appliances, including three ovens, sleek stone benchtops, substantial storage and hand-made Japanese tiles, creating a natural pivot point for daily life and entertaining. Everything here feels intentional, designed not to impress, but to endure. Four bedrooms follow within the rear hallway, each connected to the outdoors and original robes. The main suite is positioned to the rear with an ensuite, followed by two additional sizable robed bedrooms, a fourth/home office, and a central bathroom with a separate shower room, ideal for growing families.
A full laundry, ducted heating, split system cooling and a double carport complete the picture, but the design’s enduring logic sets this home apart. Moments from The Concourse and Seaview shops, sporting facilities, local schools and Kinders and the Beach, the Shubb House proves that great design never dates, only evolves with the lives lived within it.
