Frank Body co-founders list Melbourne home for $3.95m-$4.3m

Owners: Steve Rowley and Bree Johnson, co-founders of Frank Body

The property: A reimagined, landmark inner-city Victorian

Address: 167 Brighton Street, Richmond, VIC

Price guide: $3.95 million-$4.3 million

Expressions of interest: Close 12pm, March 25

Steve Rowley and Bree Johnston came to own their handsome double-storey Victorian through an act of love, and it set the tone for a happy tenure in their personal sanctuary.

The couple, who are co-founders of cult bodycare brand Frank Body and parents to two young sons, were instantly enamoured of the vine-cloaked facade of this Richmond beauty.

The pair bought the property in 2015 as a deceased estate. Former vendor Mary had owned it for 60 years. 

“Mary was a pillar of Brighton Street and the community, and was very well known,” Rowley says. “She is the one who planted the vines on the facade of the house.”

Rowley recalls their joy when the auction proceeds went to a life-saving endeavour.

“All of the proceeds of the purchase went towards breast cancer research,” he says. 

“After the auction, a lot of the locals came into the house to have a celebration of the home and Mary. It was an emotional moment for them as well.”

Jellis Craig partner David Sciola is now marketing 167 Brighton Street, which sits in a pocket near the Yarra River and the hubbub of youthful Cremorne.

Rowley says he and Johnson always assumed they would embark on an extensive renovation.

The extension respects and enhances the home’s original attributes – seclusion, scope, light and character.

“It was a very long renovation,” Johnson says. “But the result is an incredibly grand house. It was definitely worth it.”

The home was shortlisted in the 2021 House Awards in the category of house in a heritage context, and in the 2021 Australian Interior Design Awards’ residential design category.

The couple’s brief to architect Alex Lake, director of Therefore Studio, was to rekindle the beauty of the old house and craft a “thoughtful transition from old to new”. Builders Locbuild were engaged for the project.

“We wanted it to have a sanctuary feel,” Rowley says. “For example, the double glazing on the windows, which have a huge amount of natural light pouring through, was about having our own cocoon within a busy suburb.”

Johnson says they also prioritised internal green spaces to bring air and light through the whole house.

“We have Cedric, our cedar tree, in our kitchen lightwell,” she says. “I love that you can see his leafy crown from the upstairs en suite.”

Their sons Hugo, 3, and Ned, 5, have relished the courtyard garden.

Unfolding below a soaring cinder block wall, the space is softened by Australian natives and was designed by landscape practice Acre, with input from Therefore.

“We have a secret veggie garden, which has been great for spending time with the kids,” Rowley says. “Ultimately, everything grows incredibly well, given the mix of sun and shade.

“We have had beautiful family moments in the courtyard, where it is serene and picturesque.”

Being the custodians of a house with significance to Richmond’s social fabric has been a special experience.

“It is such a well-known house, and we received text messages and a huge amount of inbound love,” Rowley recalls.

From that day on, they have been delighted at the way life has unfolded on Brighton Street. 

As well as Frank Body, Rowley has hospitality interests and is a part owner of the Union Hotel in Richmond.

He is also involved in a number of hit cafes, including Coin Laundry, Plain Sailing, Left Field, Tall Timber, Nine Yards and Touchwood.

Johnson is the founder and director of the creative branding agency Willow and Blake. 

“Our life has been on Brighton Street – we have childcare, the office, pub and home on the same street,” Rowley says. “It has been very convenient.”

Sciola says selling a property that has attracted both industry accolades and community admiration is “very exciting”.

“I have known Steve and Bree for almost two decades, and it was quite an iconic property when they bought it,” he says.

“We love bringing fully renovated homes like this to the market because they are broadly appealing.

“It has a great design which maximises all of the northern light and is incredibly private for Richmond as well.”

Expressions of Interest

167 Brighton Street, Richmond VIC 3121

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