House of the week: Richmond

38 Richmond Terrace, Richmond
$3 million-plus
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 car spaces

Auction at 11am, on Saturday, November 14
Inspect 11am-11.30am on Saturday
Agent Jellis Craig, Andrew Macmillan,  0418 142 252

This column is really all about Melbourne.  Our city’s houses, streets and the neighbourhoods that give them life, go a very long way to explaining who we are. It’s why coming to Richmond is always a treat.  From Struggletown to sharp style, Tigerland has soul and when you happen upon a house here with MCG views, your home-town pride swells a little.

This block-fronted Victorian is typical of the area, but the wide side drive is not – it’s akin to hitting parking paydirt on the tight streetscapes here. Beyond the lovely front verandah there are two principal rooms on either side of the hall.  To the left is a fine retreat with shelving flanking the fireplace and a pretty front garden aspect. Opposite is a large bedroom that has direct access to the handsome central bathroom.

Further on to the right is a beautiful study with rear garden views and an excellent sliding desk-height window. The house then rolls away from the period to the progressive – a thoroughly magnificent glass pavilion – where the incredible-for-Richmond dimensions shine. Floor-to-ceiling casements track pretty much most of the area on both sides, throwing light and lush garden views over the excellent kitchen – with one of the largest stone benches we’ve seen in quite some time.  

There’s more than enough room beyond here for a lovely dining area, living room with fireplace and even a natty little bar. The loft and light are anchored by dark-toned display units and timber accents. Two decks open out to either side off the dining area. Light out on one and enjoy the trek around the back of the house to the other, accompanied by an incredible copse of massive Birds of Paradise, a towering Yucca, a good grassy terrace and a wonderful bamboo avenue.  This place is as impressive inside as out.

Then you go upstairs. Not only is there a crisp central bathroom up here and three fabulous bedrooms, the main, to the south-west corner, is a languid, light space with en suite and a fine easy style. There’s also The Screen. Sitting just adrift from the house and running across the western side of the first level is a glorious stretch of green louvre windows that creates a walkway between it and the bedrooms up here – an airy piece of floating genius. It’s right on top where you get those iconic Melbourne views, from the churches of St Ignatius on the hill to the east, to the “G” in the west, the rooftop terrace lays your town out in front of you.  What a treat. 

Need to know: Last traded for $398,500 in 1998. Highest recorded house price for Richmond (last 12 months) $5.13 million for 207 Lennox Street in May 2015. Recent sales: $2,465,000 for 5a Elm Grove in October 2015; $1,941,000 for 15 Union Street in October 2015 and $1,198,000 for 4 Berry Street in October 2015.

Room for improvement: A little plunge pool in the lush garden would take the edge off a Richmond summer.