There is something to be said for an apartment with a past. Set within Homeden, a tightly held 1960s building on one of Toorak's most exclusive riverside streets, this is a generously proportioned residence that carries its history well. The scale is the first thing you notice, a reminder of a time when homes were built big and built to last, with retro touches that give it a personality of its own.
A wide entrance passage leads to an oversized living room, where a door opens to a covered terrace and a north-east outlook that takes in treetops, rooftops, sky and the mountain ranges beyond. The dining room sits alongside, separated by an original two-way bar that is pure vintage charm, and shares the same light and the same outlook with the fully equipped kitchen, so cooking, dining and relaxing all stay connected to the view.
There are two bedrooms with built-in robes and a third that lends itself easily to a home office or library. The main bathroom reflects the era, with a shower over the bath, and there is a separate shower room, a separate toilet and a full laundry. The home is solid and entirely comfortable as it stands, while offering genuine scope to update and make it your own.
The essential are handled with the advantage of a remote garage, lift access, secure intercom entry, an on-site caretaker, split-system air conditioning and heating, all within a building known for its grand communal foyer and parklike garden surrounds. The sense of calm that comes with the environment is just as much a feature as the apartment itself.
The position is exceptional. It is zoned for Auburn High School and Toorak Primary School, within walking distance of St Kevin's College, St Catherine's School and Heyington Station, and close to Scotch College, Toorak Village and the Yarra River. Whether you're a downsizer drawn to scale without compromise, a professional after a refined city base, or a family with an eye on the schools, this is a rare chance to secure a prestigious home in one of Melbourne's most elite addresses.
