Domain Prestige - August 02, 2023

PRESTIGE

A timeless legacy of luxury

Six years ago, when I moved Down Under from the UK, I immediately fell in love with Victoria. It might be the smallest state on the Australian mainland, but with its vibrant cities, richly diverse cultural tapestry and alluring natural wonders, it sure packs a punch. And in it’s capital Melbourne (currently ranked third in Global Liveability Index), the real estate market is heating up. According to Domain’s most recent House Price Report, its house prices saw their first quarterly increase in a year-and-a-half – a turnaround that follows five consecutive quarters of decline – and recouped $4000 of the $71,000 value lost during the 2022-23 downturn. Unit prices also increased and are rising faster than houses. In this Victorian special edition we explore the leafy suburb of East Melbourne, learn why Melbourne is the city to watch for investors and admire a gorgeously renovated home.

OUR COVER

8 Hammond Street, Brighton

Listed by Marshall White

PAGE 6

Editor:

Josephine Huynh

Editorial producer: Hailey Coules

Group picture editor:

Kylie Thomson

Senior designer:

Colleen Chin Quan

Graphic designer: Emma Drake

National magazine

editor:

Natalie Mortimer

Group content director: Mark Roppolo

Chief marketing officer: Rebecca Darley

Chief executive officer: Jason Pellegrino

Residential sales: Queensland

Amanda Vaughan 0413 370 004

New South Wales

Joe Pinneri

0408 694 223

Victoria, Western Australia, South

Australia, Northern

Territory & Tasmania

Ray van Veenendaal 0438 279 870

New development sales:

Ivan Curic 0413 498 156

Media sales: Sam Hill 0438 348 998

Contact: editorial@domain.com.au

The

Rise

The

By KATE FARRELLY

Brighton

Melbourne 8 Hammond Street

$10 million-$11 million

5 5 5

Expressions of interest: Close noon, August 7

Agent: Marshall White Bayside, Dahli Woosnam 0435 505 309

From the Ralph Lauren lighting and curved Dolce Vita dolomite benchtops to the Germanengineered lift, oak floors and heated pool, this new Epiphany Homes house delivers stylish and functional architecture. Beyond the Long Islandinspired facade you’ll find light-filled living spaces, a home cinema, a showpiece cellar and a dedicated home office.

TOM BLACHFORD

Hawthorn East

Melbourne 149 Victoria Road

$18.5 million-$20 million

5 6 8

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, August 22

Agent: Abercrombys, Jock Langley 0419 530 008

Rathgar is an award-winning home that ticks all the boxes for luxury living. Set close to Auburn Village and top schools, the home’s highlights include a sophisticated cocktail room retaining period features, a tiered home cinema and a glass-framed indoor-outdoor pavilion perfect for parties.

Brighton East

Melbourne 23 Plantation Avenue

$6.4 million-$6.8 million

Expressions of interest: Close 4pm, August 8

Agent: Jellis Craig Brighton, Andrew Panagopoulos 0412 054 970 This contemporary, Patrick Miceli-designed home showcases curved aluminium walls, floating exposed-aggregate pontoons and finishes in oak and polished concrete. The north-facing living spaces feature a gas fireplace, and the Neff-appointed kitchen extends to a butler’s pantry.

St Kilda

Melbourne 703p/14-16 The Esplanade

$3.25 million-$3.5 million

3 3 3

Private sale

Agent: The Agency Victoria, Michael Paproth 0488 300 800

This apartment in the Saint Moritz development will appeal to time-poor professionals looking for luxury and convenience practically on the beach.

NEON LIGHT

The Neon Tube LED light from HAY dances with vibrant hues, allowing you to create an artistic ambience anywhere. Available in a kaleidoscope of bright colours, it creates a visually captivating display, whether suspended or propped against a wall. hayshop.com.au

Back to the future

Allow these captivating pieces to invade your interiors with the lure of eccentricity and futurism. Compiled by PAULINE MORRISSEY

ON THE SHELF Display your belongings elegantly with the Smooth Shelf by Nicole Lawrence Studio. Crafted in vibrant colours such as Horizon Blue and Golden Yellow, the shelf exhibits a solid structure for a bold statement, yet has graceful curves that are soft on the eyes. nicolelawrence.online

BRIGHT IDEA The perfectly peculiar Bright Things Lamps by Jordan Fleming appear like organic creations, with mushroom-like forms sculpted from layers of plaster and vibrant pigments. Poised on three wobbly-looking legs, these playful lights radiate originality. jordanfleming.com.au

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS With a mesmerising interplay of colours and dynamic composition, Dean Norton’s latest Looking Glass collection consists of art and light works where self-reflection meets artistic innovation. moderntimes.com.au

Out of the ashes

When fire destroyed a 1970s fibro shack it was an opportunity to build for the environment.

By PAUL BEST

ARCHITECTURE

Melbourne architect Antony Martin faced a number of design challenges after fire razed a family’s simple 1970s fibro beach house perched above the coastal hamlet of Skenes Creek on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, with spectacular views to Apollo Bay.

Not the least was the bushfire risk –particularly with the property located directly above dense eucalypt forest. Which is somewhat ironic, given the house had burnt down due to an electrical fault.

Regardless, the principal of MRTN Architects says the threat from bushfire was intense.

“We had to respond to that,” he says.

The family had engaged Martin to design a new holiday house after seeing one of his projects, Fairfield Hacienda, which featured concrete floors, Besser Blocks – large bricks made from concrete – for the walls, and cedar wood for the ceilings.

Those same materials suited construction requiring a high bushfire attack level (BAL).

But fire wasn’t the only challenge. The site was steep, clay-based and an awkward triangular shape. The boundaries were also tighter than the family had previously thought, which meant there was less land to work with.

In addition, Martin had to plan a septic system, as there wasn’t a connection to a main sewer line, which required constructing retaining walls. Again, this affected where the house could be located.

“We were really limited in what we could build back on the site,” he recalls.

Working with the natural contour of the landscape, Martin kept his design simple: a large steel roof plane, angled and gutterless to prevent ember buildup, sitting on top of parallel concrete blade walls.

“The other tough thing about the site … it’s so exposed to wind and rain up there,” he says. “Part of the architectural response was that idea of bunkering down against the weather, putting your back into the hill for protection.”

Martin also had to design a house that took into consideration the needs and interests of a family group that spanned three generations –an elderly couple, their son and his partner, and their two young children.

“The family was very considerate of each other,” Martin says. “But it also created an interesting dynamic for the design process. There wasn’t a single point of approval.”

In addressing this, Martin created a central corridor with wings on either side and large

spans of glazing oriented to take full advantage of stunning eyrie-like views across the coastal hinterland and distant ocean panorama. The property is, appropriately, named Wings Way.

On the left, as you enter, are the sleeping quarters, comprising two bedrooms (including the main with an en suite), a bunkroom (sleeping four) and a second bathroom.

To the right is a study and lounge, flowing into the kitchen and dining room and an outdoor terrace beyond.

Martin designed the house’s interiors to match the robust materiality of its exterior: Besser Blocks and concrete floor, which gave the structure a sense of “resilience and endurance”, as well as the “safety and permanence” that the fibre-cement-clad home lacked.

Plywood ceiling panels, cabinetry and joinery also lent the living spaces a feeling of warmth and shelter from the elements, complemented by the family’s tasteful timber furniture.

In addition, the concrete blocks inside were honed, leaving the aggregate exposed, and smoother to touch than those outside.

“The house has a special connection to the landscape and views,” Martin says. “Rather than a white box that feels separate from the landscape, it acknowledges it. It’s a great way to coexist.”

Martin also says that keeping the design simple reduced the trades needed on site and helped the family keep a lid on rebuild costs –especially when the new house had to be constructed to a higher standard.

While Martin acknowledges the house is very different to what stood previously, he says he worked a lot of nostalgia into the project.

For instance, he reused bricks left behind in the rubble as pavers for the outdoor area as a “memory of the house”. He also created a paved linear walkway outside with a built-in concrete bench, replacing the previous viewing deck, which couldn’t be rebuilt due to fire risk.

“The family had this attachment to the deck with views of Apollo Bay,” Martin says. “This allowed them to sit sheltered from the wind and enjoy the view, like before.”

TOM BLACHFORD

Besser Blocks, polished concrete and timber accents create a special connection to the environment.

4

BEROWRA WATERS

An Iconically Australian 8.75 Acre Resort, Atop The Hawkesbury River

Designed to deliver an authentic Australian experience, surrounded by native bushland and the commanding presence of the Hawkesbury River, Marramarra Lodge is a truly unique, 8.75-acre parcel of tidal river frontage, that's only accessible by water, seaplane or helicopter.

Regarded for its exclusive location, elegant dining, breathtaking nature and rich early history – it's an intoxicating combination for a sensory escape. Less than an hour's drive north of Sydney and the only property of its scale within New South Wales.

30a 18b

FOR SALE

Contact Agent

TIM ANDREWS 0412 663 065 tim.andrews@ljhooker.com.au

DOUGAL MILLER-SNEDDON 0423 138 180 dougalmillersneddon@ljhooker.com.au

LJ Hooker Terrigal terrigal.ljhooker.com.au

Seemingly in a world of its own, yet just a stone’s throw from the city centre, life in the delightful neighbourhood of East Melbourne is about having your cake and eating it too.

It’s about relishing the buzzing energy and latenight revelry of its neighbours, whether taking a stroll into the bustling CBD or hopping on a tram to lively Fitzroy.

Yet, it’s also about retreating home at the end of the day to the serene embrace of tree-lined streets, the architectural splendour of majestic Victorian terraces and elegant art deco mansions, plus heritage parks and gardens.

The gardens of the east

With over 20 years of experience selling properties in the area, RT Edgar Toorak director Sarah Case attests to East Melbourne’s extraordinary sense of community, where familiarity and friendliness are second nature.

“Having come from a small country town in western Victoria where a strong sense of belonging prevails, I am fond of suburbs like East Melbourne,” Case says.

“Out of all the suburbs I sell in, this area stands out for its welcoming and neighbourly spirit.”

Over the years, Case has observed a notable shift in the suburb’s buyer demographic. She notes how many people from suburbs like Kew, Camberwell and Hawthorn look to downsize from

family homes on larger blocks to embrace being closer to the city without being “in” the city.

“Enter East Melbourne, which, despite its smaller house blocks, offers a compelling alternative, surrounded by ample green spaces such as Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Carlton Gardens,” Case says.

Quality over quantity

While East Melbourne may not be overflowing with cafes on every corner, it has gems like Square & Compass that showcase quality over quantity. Set within a quaint red-brick terrace on Clarendon Street, this cafe embodies the nostalgic charm that permeates the suburb.

“Reflecting on our first venture in East Melbourne seven years ago fills me with fond memories,” says owner Matthew Stribley.

“Serving a diverse range of individuals, from coffee aficionados to cricket enthusiasts and those celebrating life’s milestones, has been an absolute joy.”

Stribley says a perfect day in Melbourne can be embarked upon from this perfectly positioned pocket. The tone is set by a revitalising run or leisurely walk through the scenic Fitzroy Gardens, followed by a visit to his cafe for breakfast.

“And what better way to continue the day than with a stroll down to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to catch a footy match?” Stribley asks.

YOU MAY LIKE ...

East Melbourne

Melbourne 129 Powlett Street $10.5 million-$11.5 million

4 4 2

Expressions of interest

Agent: Kay & Burton Stonnington, Monique Depierre 0407 881 327

Architecture firm Herbert & Howes has masterfully transformed this 1870s Victorian villa, revealing an exquisite sitting room with European oak panelling and an Escea fireplace.

Serene and green, Fitzroy Gardens in East Melbourne is a peaceful oasis on the doorstep of the CBD.

So close and yet so far. This CBD-adjacent ’burb is a pocket of green lined with magnificent period homes. By PAULINE MORRISSEY

Melbourne, the city by the bay, has just squeezed out Sydney on the latest global liveability index and is also now Australia’s most populous city.

Finding Australia’s investment capital

wanting neither traditional building blocks nor apartments.

By SUE

Investing in Melbourne is the smartest move anyone could make today, says Luke Harris, chief executive of the Melbourneheadquartered The Property Mentors, and author of the book Property Fit

With a median house price of $1,023,116 –nearly 30 per cent lower than Sydney’s – and a median apartment price of $527,828, just over 30 per cent cheaper than the harbour city, it’s much more affordable buying.

And, after all, it did just beat Sydney in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2023 Global Liveability Index, albeit by just one place, to be named the most liveable city in Australia and third overall in the world.

“Melbourne is the best place to invest in at the moment,” Harris says. “It’s now our most populous city, bigger than Sydney. People want to move here for jobs and lifestyle, and it has a very diverse economy.

“It’s also still affordable compared to other capital cities. It has both the land, and appetite, for growth, and it was a smart decision to pull out of the Commonwealth Games, but still

invest in the supporting infrastructure and jobs that were promised. From a big-picture perspective, it’s looking good.”

Rents aren’t bad, from an investor’s point of view, either: a median of $520 a week for houses and $500 for apartments.

His third option for medium-term investors is for house and land packages in the $500,000 to $600,000 price point anywhere in Melbourne. At the moment, infrastructure is slow to catch up but, when it does, he predicts significant capital growth.

Cate Bakos, a Melbourne buyer’s agent and president of The Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA), is similarly upbeat. She says unrenovated houses are often good buys.

“With building cost pressures now easing, I think it’s time to look at the value proposition of something that’s daggy and maybe looks horrible and is in need of renovation, but is welllocated,” she says. “[It has] the potential to be a significant value-add.

“Also, we’re seeing a real uptick in demand for apartments … so, they could be a good investment in the inner city or inner ring.”

Harris’s top Melbourne investment picks include apartments in middle-ring suburbs like Oak Park, Oakleigh and Craigieburn, where supply isn’t too high.

He also points to townhouses in the outer east in places such as Officer and Hampton Park, which are well priced and the choice of those

Some aren’t expecting too much growth in Melbourne property in the short term, however. The Domain Forecast Report for the 2023-24 financial year predicts house prices will only rise by up to 2 per cent, and unit prices by 1 per cent at the most, or possibly falling 2 per cent.

“This means house prices will remain lower than the record high of $1.094 million achieved in December 2021, and unit prices could remain more volatile,” says Domain chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell.

Liveability and affordability are just two of the reasons Melbourne is looming as the city to watch for investors.

WILLIAMS

“Melbourne is … still affordable compared to other capital cities.”

Commanding

Land: 2400sqm

Spectacular landholding presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to acquire one of the few direct beachfront blocks in Byron Bay.

Showcasing panoramic views over Julian Rocks to Cape Byron, ‘Bluewater’ comprises six luxury holiday cottages nestled amidst stunning landscaped grounds. Step down onto the sand, stroll to celebrated local restaurants, or explore the heart of Byron Bay just 4 minutes away.

For more information:

Kim Jones - Principal @ Kim Jones Property 0414 629 924 | kim.jones@smileelite.com

kimjonesproperty.com.au

1-3 Don Street, Byron Bay

a breathtaking oceanfront position in exclusive Belongil Beach, Byron Bay

SUNSHINE COAST - ‘EAGLE’S NEST’

MAPLETON QUEENSLAND, 400 OBI OBI ROAD

Located on Mapleton’s hinterland escarpment, 400 Obi Obi Road offers an exclusive hinterland retreat overlooking the surrounding Obi Obi Valley. The topography showcases a palette of raw landscape that is dramatically visible in this award-winning residence. Stunning stone masonry, stainless-steel fittings and exposed spotted gum used exclusively throughout give this residence an executive signature. From a very understated entry this offering spans 3 individual titles, with rural zoning. The individual nature of the titles provides fenced open grazing, a rainforest enclave with an extensive orchard of citrus, exotics with tropical fruits and stepped dams with gazebo viewing decks.

4 Bed | 4 Bath | 3 Car | 37.76 ha (90.30 acres)

• Escape the madding crowd

• Endless opportunities to develop

• A short drive to Mapleton’s iconic village begins the journey across the Coast’s famous hinterland tourist highway

• Ultimate in privacy, rural panoramas and prestige living

Inspect Private or Facetime viewings available Price $8,000,000

Danny Redman 0418 731 588 Office (07 ) 5445 2844

www.kenguybuderim.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST – HINTERLAND ESCAPE

CONONDALE QUEENSLAND, 61 DR PAGE ROAD

A 400-acre trophy property on the Sunshine Coast with panoramic views backing on to the magnificent Booloumba Falls and 42,000 acres of Conondale State Forest. With two road frontage and a portion of 100 acres of your own personal rainforest, this is a rare opportunity for those seeking a piece of paradise. Run a guest house or similar eco-tourism operation (SCRCA), utilise two thirds of cleared land for grazing purposes, or simply enjoy your own personal space in this secluded paradise… Escape to the country.

2 Bed | 1 Bath | 4 Car | 159 hectares (392 acres)

• Ex-cattle station a rare opportunity to acquire part of Australian history

• Renovated Queenslander homestead (circa 1920)

• Currently run for cattle breeding and horse grazing

• Potential for eco-lifestyle resort

• 45 minutes from Coast infrastructure, beaches

• Equidistant to Maleny and Kenilworth

Inspect Private or Facetime viewings available Auction Onsite Friday, August 11 at 11am

Danny Redman 0418 731 588 Office (07 ) 5445 2844

www.kenguybuderim.com.au

• Located in a tightly held block of just six residences.

• Spacious living and gourmet kitchen dining zone that flows out to another large entertaining balcony with plantation security shutters.

• Huge master bedroom with walk-in robe, and an opulent ensuite featuring double vanities with sliding doors opening to a private balcony overlooking the sparkling pool.

Luxurious 195 m2 ground floor beachfront apartment with direct access to the Kurrawa Parklands.

1/255 Hedges Avenue

Mermaid Beach

3 bed | 2 bath | 2 car

Auction 19 August 11am

Open Saturday 11am-12pm

londonea.com.au

Ron London 0415 114 342

Nick Jamieson 0421 771 100

Trevor Groves 0409 579 823