House of the Week: Striking all the right notes in South Melbourne

Have a look at this handsome place in South Melbourne – that lovely period exterior, that classic bullnose verandah, those gun-barrel straight timbers.

It looks for all the world as if a renovation executed with the utmost attention to detail has transformed the place. Well, that’s almost right. In fact, this house was built in 2007, not 1897, and the meticulous rebuild strikes all the right notes.

Off the entry there are two rooms on either side of the hallway. To the left, a bedroom with storage that flanks the double doors showcases another excellent feature with its views to the central pond that cuts across to both sides of the house.

Across the way, another bedroom is fitted out with shelving so you could easily make it an office with street-life vistas.

A sleek central bathroom is next on the right with cool, glossy white ceramic floors that flow into the large glass shower.

The pond acts as both lightwell and serene circuit breaker as the space above rises skywards on both sides to create a sort of “pavilion” effect.

To the rear, the hallway splits – on the right you will find a superb studio/multi-purpose space that leads up and through a glass wall to the garage and laneway access.

On the left is the sublime main suite, a rangy space with plenty of storage and a fabulous en suite that boasts views over that terrific central pond.

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Upstairs, a beautiful soaring timber-panelled ceiling angles to the north catching light and opening up to a fine city view.

The living and dining areas take centre stage here, with a handsome dark hearth bringing the warmth for chill winter nights.

More light is trapped by the clerestory windows that track the roof angle and flow out to the fine rear deck – a generous spot from which to take in the tops of the towers of town.

Set to the rear side is the sharp kitchen with a floating island bench, walk-in pantry and excellent stainless steel appliances, including an impressive integrated wine fridge.

Perhaps our favourite though, comes just beyond here, past a smartly sited powder room and down a step or two. The long study sits up here hovering over that lightwell centre below and boasts ample desk space, storage and an aspect to keep you interested when hitting the books seems too hard. Fantastic.

26 Bridport Street, South Melbourne

Photo: Greg Hocking Holdsworth

$2.8 million–$3,080,000
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Auction: 12.30pm, Saturday, July 15
Agent: Greg Hocking Holdsworth, John Holdsworth 0417 318 271