Bitter sweet: Lune's Kate Reid lists former Freddo factory apartment

If life were a rom-com, this might be the plot: a woman, not in the market for a change, unexpectedly finds something that shifts her world. But instead of a meet-cute with a person, Kate Reid’s story begins with a home. It’s a story of timing, instinct, and a space that just feels right.

The setting for this story is the historic MacRobertson building, an 1880s confectionery factory converted into apartments in the late ’90s. Perhaps it’s the sweet legacy of the building – once home to the iconic Freddo Frog and Cherry Ripe – or its industrial character that resonates through every beam and brick. In any case, nestled within its walls lies 4/183 Kerr Street, home of Reid and her beautiful black Labrador, Lily.

Reid, the visionary behind Lune Croissanterie, wasn’t exactly house-hunting when this apartment appeared on her radar. But as fate would have it, sometimes things just click.

“I was in Los Angeles, waiting for my connecting flight back to Melbourne on New Year’s Eve 2018, when I opened the Domain app, and there it was – this incredible apartment,” Reid recalls. “I wasn’t even seriously in the market for a property, but I was instantly smitten.”

Like a whirlwind romance, by January 3, just days after her New Year’s Day inspection, Reid proudly owned a sweet slice of the MacRobertson building, a beacon for creatives and visionaries, and Reid fit right in. With her croissanterie just blocks away, the apartment seemed like a natural extension of her world.

“A year after I moved in, Melbourne went into its first lockdown, and spending all that time at home inspired me to make the space more bespoke,” Reid says. “Creating my dream kitchen became incredibly important, so I enlisted Jesse Cummins from Found Kitchens.”

Renovating often begins with small intentions, only to unravel into a larger project. For Reid, a simple kitchen update quickly evolved into a complete redesign, transforming the ground floor into a bright, open living space with a fresh, modern aesthetic that replaced its dated ’90s style.

“I fell in love with the idea of a super long bench – perfect for working with pastry and pasta, two more of my great loves,” Reid shares. “The terrazzo I chose took months to arrive from Italy. Fun fact: I tested every recipe for The Lune Cookbook in this kitchen!”

Reid also stripped back the original factory floors, revealing their stunning aggregate beauty. She repurposed the old joinery, which are now kitchen cubby holes, to display her KitchenAid and favourite cookbooks, while the bronze mirror she added opened up the space further.

“I love how the light plays in this home; the industrial windows cast beautiful patterns in the mornings, and in the late afternoon, the courtyard glows golden – perfect for a quiet aperitivo,” Reid reflects. “The heaters were a great surprise, keeping the space cosy in winter, while the thick walls keep it cool in summer. It’s an architectural miracle.”

There’s an unmistakable link between Reid’s apartment and her Lune Fitzroy store. Both celebrate the raw, unfiltered appeal of industrial design. But while Lune leans into concrete and steel, Reid’s home introduces softer elements.

“I’m obsessed with olive green,” she reveals. “The cabinets in the kitchen and living areas are Timberline green by Porter’s Paints, inspired by the leather banquettes at Marion, one of my favourite wine bars on Gertrude Street. It adds warmth and ties the courtyard garden to the interior.”

Though her love for travel takes her all over the world, Reid’s heart always leads her back to Melbourne, and particularly to Fitzroy, with the neighbourhood’s vibrant energy offering a constant source of inspiration.

“Fitzroy is one helluva suburb – just a stone’s throw from the city and home to the best pubs and wine bars (not biased, just fact!),” she says. “I love the creativity, the street art, and the turn-of-the-century architecture now housing galleries, restaurants, and, of course, croissanteries!”

$1,100,000 - $1,150,000

4/183 Kerr Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

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After pouring so much love into her home, parting ways feels like closing a chapter to a beautiful love story. But, just as in her professional life, Reid knows that growth often comes with embracing the unknown.

“I think I’m ready to be a chameleon and see if I can shape my brilliant life in a new space – maybe one not quite so close to work,” Reid muses. “It will be emotional to leave this place, but I hope the next owners create their own love story and happy memories here, too.”