Position perfect: Why this Greenwich waterfront is Sydney's house of the week

It’s less than 20 minutes by ferry to the city from Bay Road, yet you could be a million miles away, so quiet and tranquil is the outlook.

Perched above Berrys Bay on a largely level block of land, this single-level residence is akin to an elegantly-attired aunt: a little dated, but holding its own alongside neighbouring contemporary three and four-level houses. And the boat-studded views are to die for.

It’s a short walk to local cafes and the Greenwich Public School and the ferry is only footsteps away at the bottom of the street.

Of course, most buyers will want to capitalise further on the fabulous location and to that end the current owners have a DA pending approval with Lane Cove Council.

The plans include a triple-car basement garage, an internal lift, a new kitchen and living room and a new upper level with two en suite bedrooms, a sitting room and a balcony.

The existing accommodation is nonetheless beautifully presented, with generous room sizes and bucket-loads of natural light. There’s a big dining room with two walls of timber-framed, glass sliding doors opening onto a timber deck.

A large lounge room with picture windows sits alongside with access onto a deep, wraparound verandah with timber-lined ceilings. From here you can take in views across the river to Woolwich and Northwood and sunsets over Longueville.

The verandah steps down to a decent stretch of level lawn and the elevated street position means you don’t see the road below, only blissful bay views beyond a couple of graceful gums.

The granite-topped kitchen has a servery window to access the views, and Miele and Bosch appliances for top-drawer cooking. Two of the three bedrooms also have views over the river.

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McGrath Neutral Bay agent Nigel Mukhi, who will take the house to auction on September 16, has set the price guide at $4.5 million.

This is a considerable upgrade from when it last traded in 2003 for $3.22 million, but still well under the suburb house-price high of $6.2 million.

“It’s so private and tranquil,” Mukhi says of the home’s prize position. “And it’s not often you get level land on the waterfront.”

See more of 19 Bay Street here or download the Domain app to find more listings near Greenwich