The great north vs. south divide: Why this couple moved to the other side of the river

• Who: Madison Tierney, senior graphic designer at Base Design; and Lou Rhodes, specialist service liaison officer at the Department of Home Affairs
• Where: A two-bedroom apartment in the Beverley Hills flats in South Yarra, Victoria
• Rent: $510 a week

Madison Tierney and Lou Rhodes have rented multiple Melbourne properties together since 2015, from a tiny one-bedder in Thornbury to a “haunted” former morgue turned Carlton terrace. “We learned that one day when a tour group was standing outside our lounge room window!” says Rhodes.

The couple had never even considered moving south of the Yarra River (what Rhodes refers to as “committing the ultimate sin”) until the pandemic hit. As born and bred northsiders, they felt the change was “akin to moving states”.

Tierney explains, “Before COVID, we were thinking about relocating overseas – we’d actually moved in with family in final preparations. As the year went on, we slowly came to terms with the fact that we’d be in Melbourne a bit longer. 

“To satiate that need for a change of scenery, we decided to take a leap and move to the south.”

The circumstances gave Tierney and Rhodes time to find “the one” –  a place that felt fresh but with an old charm-style character.

Initially, the search seemed impossible. The couple’s applications were rejected for multiple properties until a friend living in South Yarra’s Beverley Hills flats swooped in to save the day. The friend knew of a neighbour seeking new tenants in the coveted 1930s complex and invited Tierney and Rhodes to inspect. 

Built in 1935-1936, the Beverley Hills flats is a Spanish mission-style complex in South Yarra spanning two buildings set around a central pool with tropical landscaping. The building’s name is a nod to the architect Howard R Lawson’s granddaughter, as well the old Hollywood-style residences his design references. 

Compared to what the couple had been living in and inspecting northside, Rhodes says the quality of Beverley Hills seemed almost comical. “You look at rental places in the north, and a lot of them are pretty much dilapidated bungalows. I saw a picture of the kitchen in this place with its marble bench top and black glass wall panelling and just laughed,” she says. 

“It seemed like the only apartment building left in Melbourne with any sense of character. A rental with a fireplace, original ceiling mouldings, a bay window, stained glass, pool, and a communal rooftop.”

Tierney and Rhodes were also charmed by the social aspect of the building, which facilitates incidental interaction with neighbours on the stairs (there are no elevators in the complex), rooftop terrace, and around the pool. 

“It’s like being in a little resort: groups of people walking around in bikinis with drinks, the huge gardens that wrap around us, all the creatives that live here. It’s like stepping back into the ‘60s and living your best Cali glamour-girl reality,” says Rhodes of the grounds. 

Upon moving into the apartment, Tierney and Rhodes set about making the space equal parts beautiful and practical. “It can look nice, but if it’s dysfunctional, it’s going. If it works but it hurts to look at – bye-bye,” says Rhodes. 

Their furniture reflects this philosophy, combining vintage pieces they’ve invested in and an IKEA wardrobe system that appeal to Tierney’s appreciation of form and Rhodes of function. We like to maintain a very healthy balance of 95 per cent vintage and 5 per cent new,” says Tierney.

One year after moving in, Tierney says the pair are “never leaving” their Beverley Hills apartment. “It’s hard to strike a balance between finding an apartment with a reasonable interior size, outdoor space, and heritage qualities, so I think we were blessed with this one.”

Tierney and Rhodes’ advice for other renters seeking an equally beloved place is to play the waiting game and stick to their non-negotiables. 

“I know it seems like you won’t get everything you want, but this place surprised me and proved that actually, you can get pretty close,” says Rhodes. “If you can, it’s worth being stubborn and waiting for something that ticks most of the boxes. Your home and environment really have a major impact on your wellbeing.”

They also recommend putting in the extra effort to submit a personalised cover letter with your application. 

Finally, take advantage of the privileges now available to renters, such as the ability to have pets and paint walls in Victoria. As Tierney says, “These adjustments really help make a rental feel like a home.”