House of the week: A Fitzroy North glossy white

426 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North
$3 million
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Private sale
​Inspect by appointment
​Collins Simms, Julie Susnjara, 0408 006 662

If you don’t know Queens Parade, head down there for one of the best strip shopping experiences in all of town.

The broad boulevard that runs east to Heidelberg Road and west to Alexandra Parade boasts fashion, food, flowers and fish and chips. The denizens of Fitzroy North and Clifton Hill throng there, rain or shine.

This beautiful house sits to the edge of the buzzing parade, around the bend in a quieter spot. There are a few houses around here that have long caught the eye – two-storey period lookers fronting the street with a contained elegance.

This white beauty is one of them, a fine thing to behold with its projected portico and enclosed balcony above. Go beyond the neat front garden and under the portico to the entry. Glossy dark floors line the hallway, lending an attractive glow. To the right there’s a bedroom with plenty of storage and views over the parade.

Across the way a lovely, bright sitting room boasts a fireplace and pretty window, as well as a dedicated desk space should you want to make this your office. The hall passes the stairs, and just before the rear section is an excellent bathroom. The full-length tiled bath is a ripper.

Double glass doors take you out to the very handsome open-plan rear. The kitchen is tucked into the north-east corner with chic stone accents and ample deep timber veneer cabinetry.

Stretching out to the front and left side are the dining and living rooms, illuminated by full-length glass to the west and north, drawing in some lovely light and showcasing the entertaining terrace and gorgeous lap pool with swim jets and spa.

We love the exterior stairs that take you up to the first level and a terrific deck; it feels a bit like your own little world up here. We’ll go upstairs in the more conventional way though, back inside, and to the landing where to the immediate left is a natty little powder room.

In front, a passage banks east-west, with the front of house accommodating two delightful bedrooms under the sloping ceiling. Both of these have skylights and access to that sweet, street-facing enclosed balcony.

At the western end of the hall is the main bedroom, a sizeable spot with that terrific deck wrapping around two sides here.

There’s an open walk-in robe behind the platform bed and a pretty lush en suite with spa and large shower.

It’s such a substantial offering inside such a pretty package.

Need to know: Last traded for $560,000 in November 2003. Highest recorded house price for Fitzroy North (last 12 months) $4.45 million for 43 Alfred Crescent in March 2015. Recent sales: $1,625,000 for 223a Scotchmer Street in March 2016; $1,235,000 for 40 Rae Street in March 2016, and $1.25 million for 102 Fergie Street in February 2016.

Room for improvement: Rig up a dumb-waiter to hoist evening cocktails onto that first-floor deck.