Domain Review Stonnington & Boroondara - June 12, 2024

Club Sup’s Sophie McIntyre is a pro at bringing strangers together over a good meal – and she has tips for hosting at home

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Cover credits: Sophie McIntyre shot by Stephanie Rose Wood

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As host and founder of Club Sup – where new friendships are forged over cosy restaurant meals and book exchange events – Sophie McIntyre is a pro at getting conversation (and wine) flowing among strangers. While her events are normally public-facing, we visited McIntyre for a home dinner party to find out more about her work –and her top tips for hosting happy guests.

Jo Walker Broadsheet Editor

The Interview with Johanna Ryle-Howe

PAGE 7

Feature: Club Sup Founder Sophie McIntyre

PAGE 10

Home Of The Week PAGE 12

Melbourne: Level 4, 600 Church Street, Cremorne 3121, VIC Instagram: @domain.com.au Facebook.com/domain.com.au/

Sydney: 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont 2009, NSW Instagram: @domain.com.au Facebook.com/domain.com.au/ www.domain.com.au

Melbourne: Level 4, 71 Langridge Street Collingwood 3066, VIC

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Sydney: 258A Crown Street, Surry Hills 2010, NSW Instagram: @broadsheet_syd Facebook.com/broadsheet.sydney

www.broadsheet.com.au

Neighbourhoods: Ripponlea

PAGE 14

Property Listings PAGE 17

NOW OPEN

Nine Yards

1203 High Street, Armadale

Since opening in 2019, South Melbourne brunch spot Nine Yards has proved a hit with locals. Now the flagship site is expanding to three more locations by the end of the year. The first of those has just opened in Armadale, taking over the heritage-listed building that recently housed Willow Urban Retreat.

Coupled with the cafe’s physical transformation is a brand new menu featuring a mix of classic Nine Yards dishes and some Armadale-only additions. Patrons of the original Dorcas Street cafe will find favourites including avocado on dark rye toast topped with roasted beetroot, feta, salsa verde, tamari pepitas and a poached egg. Or build your own Benedict. New dishes include an Aussie iteration of French toast, served here with wattleseed sugar, Anzac biscuit mascarpone, fresh banana and blueberries.

Espresso beans are courtesy of Melbourne roaster Niccolo Coffee. There’s also a specialty black coffee from Maker, as well as chai and hot chocolate from Mork. — GC

ADD TO CART

Houndsome Black Cockatoo Dog Blanket

If you’re looking for an excuse to spoil your pooch, Melbourne label Houndsome’s 100 per cent Aussie merino wool blankets are made for the most discerning pups and owners. Its latest plaid colourway, Black Cockatoo, is woven at the historic 150-year-old Waverley Mills in Launceston, Tasmania. The black and red design – finished with a turquoise trim – is fire and odourresistant, plus temperature-regulating to keep furry friends safe and cosy. Available in small, medium and large. — GG

From $95 / houndsome.dog

IN THE DIARY

Africa Fashion

Straight from London’s V&A museum, the Africa Fashion exhibition features nearly 200 pieces – including couture, photography, ready-to-wear fashion and body adornments – celebrating the historical and contemporary influences on fashion by more than 50 designers from 20 African countries. Find pieces of cloth from Mali dating back 800 years to elaborate ensembles from Cameroonian designer Imane Ayissi’s recent Paris Fashion Week collection. — EH

Until Oct 6 / NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne / ngv.melbourne

Photo: Pablo Diaz

Photo: Liana Hardy

THREE OF A KIND READ ME

Creating Effective Spaces

Australia-based decluttering maven Natasha Swingler is dedicated to tidying up all those slightly difficult things around the house. Her Instagram account (@effectivespaces) soothes 5 8 million followers with instructional storage and folding tips that feel almost as good as doing your own ignored chores. Creating Effective Spaces is her new practical handbook for parents and home dwellers looking to neaten up their habitat. — JTW

$39 99 / penguin.com.au

PANTRY ITEM

Saturday Night Pasta Dirty Martini Pasta Sauce

Elizabeth Hewson’s pandemic-era cookbook, Saturday Night Pasta, was born out of a self-care ritual she created to combat anxiety – making fresh pasta at home. Merch and lockdown packs followed, then came a product line starting with a Dirty Martini pasta sauce. The zesty sauce riffs off the classic (and trending) vodka pasta, incorporating Archie Rose Native Botanical vodka, Toolunka Creek olive brine and lemon myrtle leaves, plus sun-ripened Roma tomatoes, basil, rosemary and lemon. — DF

$11 90 / saturdaynightpasta.com.au

Cowboy boots

Thanks to the resurgence of Y2K fashion (and Beyoncé), cowboy boots have made a strong comeback. While the best pairs are usually found hidden in op shops, western-inspired styles are seeping into core collections by local labels. Senso’s take features contrast stitching and a subtle kitten heel. RM Williams’s squaretoed number is handmade in Portugal. And Alias Mae’s ankle-fitting silhouette is complete with pull tabs and a slanted block heel for extra comfort. — GG

Senso Francesca II boot, $199, senso.com.au

RM Williams Lennox knee boot, $849, rmwilliams.com.au

Alias Mae Jeanie boot, $329.95, aliasmae.com.au

HOME MAKER

Thomas Guida IN THE KITCHEN

Melbourne designer Thomas Guida works across product, furniture and 3D design, and his Beautifully Basic Shelf (BBS) does exactly what the name suggests. Handmade from raw aluminium with a wax coating, it’s designed to be environmentally sustainable and competitively priced – lowering barriers of access to high-quality furniture and reducing reliance on poorly made homewares destined for landfill. “To do this the BBS had to be simple every step of the way,” Guida says. “From how it was made, transported, even assembled. I guess in that sense it was deliberately designed to be basic – however, there’s something beautiful about simplicity, and it’s definitely a shelf! Hence the name.” It’s pretty basic to put together, too – no tools are required to convert the shelf from flat-pack, and most components can be individually removed, repaired and recycled if needed. — JW

thomasguida.com

Stracciatella, Walnut and Cime Di Rapa

Dave Verheul, Embla

Prep time 10–12 minutes / Cook time about 15 minutes / Serves 4–6

1 bunch cime di rapa 2 tbsp oregano leaves 2 cloves garlic finely sliced ½ tsp chilli flakes 100ml olive oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 200g stracciatella Crackers to serve

Walnut pesto: 100g walnuts roughly chopped 1 clove garlic finely chopped 20g finely grated parmesan 100ml olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Remove the leaves and florets from the cime di rapa and set aside in a large frying pan. Lightly peel the stalks if they look particularly woody and fibrous, then slice into 1cm thick pieces and add to the pan, along with the oregano, garlic, chilli flakes and olive oil.

Place the pan over medium heat and cook for 12–15 minutes, until the leaves and florets are wilted. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

To make the walnut pesto, simply combine the ingredients in a bowl and season to taste.

To serve, scoop the stracciatella into a shallow serving dish, then place the cime di rapa and walnut pesto beside it, so it looks like a savoury Neapolitan ice cream. Serve with your favourite crackers.

Find this recipe – and 80 more like it from Melbourne’s best cooks, chefs and restaurants – in the Home Made cookbook.

$49 95 / shop.broadsheet.com.au

FOR STARTERS

SNACK BAR STREET STYLE

Thelatestin

By Audrey Payne

Five Melbourne venues – Victor Churchill, Steer Dining Room, Entrecote, Gimlet and Grill Americano – made this year’s World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list, coming in at numbers 11, 17, 86, 94 and 98 respectively. The ranking is now in its fifth year, with 850 steak restaurants visited by 14 “steak ambassadors” on five continents. worldbeststeaks.com

New cheesecake-only shop Lulu & Me, from the Joy Cupcakes founders, has opened in a Collingwood warehouse. The bakery has pay-by-weight Basque cheesecake: after you’ve described (or shown the team behind the counter using hand gestures) how much cheesecake you’re after, they weigh and wrap up your slice in butcher’s paper, just like at a deli. 1-5 Hotham Street, Collingwood / @luluandme_cheesecakes

Adrian Richardson will close his 25-yearold Carlton North bistro La Luna after service on Saturday August 3. The chef told Broadsheet the restaurant’s lease was up for renewal and he decided “it’s time to do something else”. 320 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North / lalunabistro.com.au

Ruby is a swish new CBD brasserie and the first restaurant from the Operator 25 cafe owners. Ex-Cumulus chef James Cornwall leads the kitchen, preparing croque madames by day and steak frites by night. 1/189 Queen Street, Melbourne / @ruby.dining

Kariton Sorbetes has introduced three new ice-cream cakes including You-Bae – which uses the company’s popular ube halaya gelato flavour – and Mangga Banga, a log cake with mango sorbet, salted vanilla gelato, dried mango jam, toasted meringue and a graham cracker crust. karitonsorbetes.com

broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/snack-bar

news

Queens Parade, Clifton Hill

Name: Stacey Rose Age: 27 Occupation: Finance Tell us about your outfit today. The jeans are old men’s Levi’s that I found at an op shop. My shoes are Unif Mary Janes – I’ve been wearing them to death. And my cardigan is Kate Sylvester, also from the op shop. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? I love interesting patterns and classic silhouettes that are flattering on me. I gravitate towards textiles mainly, and knitwear really draws my eyes. I wear a lot of electric blue and I’ve gotten into maroon lately.

Clifton Hill offers a village feel with leafy parks, quiet streets and proximity to vibrant areas. Great public transport, beautiful Victorian houses and abundant parks enhance its charm.

Photo: Kaede James Takamoto

Photo: Ben Moynihan

Photo: Jordan Price

Photo: Jordan Price

Photo: Arianna Leggiero

THE INTERVIEW

Slowing Down With Caves Collect Designer Johanna Ryle-Howe

Words by Gitika Garg · Photo by Casey Horsfield

When Johanna Ryle-Howe finished studying fashion design at university and found herself feeling uninspired by the industry around her, she decided to create something of her own. What started as a fun project with her thenhousemate Sarah Russell has now grown into Melbourne womenswear label Caves Collect. Based in Abbotsford Convent, the directto-consumer business crafts high quality, sustainable and locally made wardrobe staples.

Back when the duo started in 2014, RyleHowe and Russell handmade every piece themselves. “We were just really obsessed with it and would work constantly, like 12 hours a day,” Ryle-Howe tells Broadsheet Sewing garments while trying to start an entire business was as hectic as you would imagine. “We’d have days where we’d literally be doing the finishing touches to pieces before rushing out to the post office to ship the order on time.”

Ten years on, Ryle-Howe now runs Caves

solo after Russell stepped away from the business in 2022 to start homewares label Scotato. (Its textured cushions and quilts are made from offcuts, including fabrics from Caves.) And she’s moved away from the sewing machine, too.

The label’s timeless pieces are handmade in local factories with fabrics sourced across Italy, Japan and Oz. Its merino knits in particular are made in one of Australia’s last remaining knit factories with cashwool merino yarn imported from Italian mill Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia – which also works with the world’s top luxury brands.

But manufacturing locally is no easy feat, Ryle-Howe says. “It’s a pretty tough wicket making in Australia, there’s not a huge industry here but we feel very motivated to keep [doing so] … There’s more of a demand in Australia than there are factories to meet that demand so I think that’s a bit of an issue in the industry at the moment.”

Ryle-Howe pioneered conversations around ethical production and considered consumption well before “sustainability” and “slow fashion” became industry buzzwords in the past few years.

“I don’t really call it a fashion brand,” she explains. “For me the word ‘fashion’ kind of feels trend-based and I see Caves as being positioned a bit outside of the formal fashion industry. I feel like it’s very unsustainable to just be constantly buying the newest trend and it feels very untenable to be to be operating that way.”

Instead of creating collections under the pressure of seasons, Ryle-Howe works on developing and finessing key pieces until she’s happy with them. Feedback from customers and the fabric itself often form a starting point for designs, which use classic archetypal shapes that will last the test of time. It’s also the reason why Ryle-Howe steers away from

prints and patterns that will age poorly. “We want something that’s just going to slot into a cohesive, small wardrobe that you can get a lot of wear out of.”

As is often the case when running your own business, the busy creative wears many hats. Her days are a mix of designing, attending fittings, visiting factories, making newsletters and running the brand’s social media – all while being a new mum.

It’s a tough gig to balance, but Ryle-Howe wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love being able to create a brand that aligns with my values because I honestly don’t know who I would work for if I had to get a job in the fashion industry,” she says.

“Sometimes when you put something out into the world, you’re not sure if people will really appreciate what you’re doing, but you do it for yourself because it’s important. It’s really nice to see that people do take note of it.”

CONSTRUCTION COMMENCING UP TO $200K IN INCENTIVES UNTIL 30 JUNE

Immerse yourself in the best of Fitzroy with customisable apartments and townhouses on the coveted Gore Street. Choose between two interior designers, Winwood Mckenzie or Bergman & Co. Select residences include double lock-up garages.

2 Bed Apartments from $1.395M | 3 Bed Apartments from $1.975M | Townhouses from $2.35M

THE FIT-OUT

Curl Up and Get Cosy with Homewares Under $50

By Jo Walker

OTTO & SPIKE HOMIE’S HOUSE SOCKS – $39.95

Otto & Spike still produces knitwear in a little factory in East Brunswick – once the centre of Melbourne’s textile industry. These classic grandpa-style wool and angora house socks are just what you need when the temperature drops. Available in a range of colours, from navy to mottled fairy floss. ottoandspike.com.au

HOMMEY JUNIOR FAUX FUR CUSHION COVER IN COFFEE – $49 Melbourne label Hommey is known for its stylish and soft-as-marshmallow homewares. This circular faux-fur cushion cover is eminently huggable and almost the exact shade of Rowlf the Dog from The Muppet Show, should your couch or bed require a hint of cosy ’70s style. Or choose other shades like olive, rose, tan or cherry. gethommey.com

QUEEN B TIN CAN-DLE PACK – $29.95 Add a warm glow to your space with this beeswax candle in a stainless-steel tin that promises 10 hours of golden-hued, honey-scented burn time. Made in Sydney by long-time champion of pure Australian beeswax Queen B, it comes with a refill candle to double down on cosiness. queenb.com.au

THE CAKER SPICED CARROT CAKE KIT WITH SALTED CARAMEL – $30 Jordan Rondel, aka The Caker, is an LA-based Kiwi baker dedicated to wholesome-yet-ravishing homemade treats. Her chic premium cake kits (now available at David Jones) are perfect for cosy baking afternoons. While we’re especially fond of this sticky carrot cake, other mixes include a gluten-free flourless dark chocolate bake. thecaker.co.nz

ADDITION STUDIO BATH BREW – $19.99 Think of this as a giant tea bag for the bath, a sachet of botanicals and other organic ingredients that brews while you relax in a remedial soak. Pick between four blends including Milk Bath (with goat’s milk and raw cacao butter) and Riverstone (with clays, Epsom salts and essential oils). additionstudio.com

SHEET SOCIETY FRANKIE FLANNELETTE PILLOWCASES – $45 FOR SET OF TWO There’s something to be said for a pillowcase that feels just like your comfiest pair of pyjamas or your favourite plaid shirt. These flannelette covers from Sheet Society are made from 100 per cent cotton, doublebrushed for extra fluffiness, and are available in 10 calming colourways ideal for snug wintertime bedscaping. sheetsociety.com

Photo: Sue Ferris

Photo: Ophelia Jones

TABLE TALK

Words by Jenny Valentish · Photos by Stephanie Rose Wood

Here’s a little experiment. Next time you’re due to meet a friend, spend time really thinking about them. Ponder their hopes, their fears. Picture their face, smiling.

In a way, that’s what Sophie McIntyre does for a living. Since March 2021 she’s run Club Sup, a bringing together of people over dinner – first in Melbourne, now also in Sydney – and a successful event is all about understanding the guests.

Club Sup takes the idea of orphans’ Christmas and runs with it all year round at cosy restaurants such as Cam’s Kiosk in Abbotsford and Brunswick East’s Old Palm Liquor, where staff play their favourite vinyl. McIntyre long ago passed 300 events and stopped counting.

There’s been an increase in initiatives aimed at bringing people in : cafes printing conversation starters on their menus; festivals like OK Motels hiring the crew from Tell Your Friends You Love Them to host friend-making games; and other dinner events, such as Sydney’s Arlo Communal, aimed at fostering authentic connections. Call it a sign of the times.

“When I started, it was such a foreign concept that everyone was like, ‘What do you mean people don’t have friends?’” McIntyre says. “Now it feels like every week I see something new. I honestly think last August, a switch just flipped. Something happened in this world and everyone was like, ‘Oh my god, I understand this concept now.’”

With 2023 being the year of the AI boom, it’s perhaps a natural backlash. It’s a fair bet that many of the social media posts, emails and dating profiles we read have been assisted by Chat GPT, and the doctoring of photos has reached new frontiers.

“I keep reading about how we’ve hit peak social media,” McIntyre says. “I think that’s what’s adding to this increase in wanting to sit around the table with real conversations. I’m always saying, ‘If someone’s taking photos [at our events] can you send them to me?’ And I’ll find that no one’s picked up their phone to take a single picture.”

There’s no ban on phones at Club Sup – there are no rules at all – but guests are instinctively picking up what McIntyre is putting down, getting into the spirit of connection. By the end of the night, guests will often start Whatsapp groups to keep meeting of their own accord.

“When they come in, I say ‘All you have to do is take this drink, say hello to one person, and then the next hardest

thing you’re going to do is eat dinner,’” she says. “These are people who love food and wine. But also they’re self-aware and proactive in building fun things into their life.”

The genesis of Club Sup happened in lockdowns, when McIntyre found herself in a share house in Fitzroy with three strangers. Having studied fashion at RMIT, she was working as a planner at Uniqlo. “It was spreadsheets all day, every day, so it really sucked my creative juices dry,” she says.

McIntyre started hosting house dinners, which turned into larger gatherings in studio spaces between lockdowns, before moving to restaurants in 2022. Things took off so fast that it was a relief to let someone else take over the cooking while helping to revive the local restaurant scene.

The early events were off-the-leash. People brought an end-times vibe and a lot of kick-on Negronis were drunk on school nights.

“Then, in 2023, people started to slow down and think about their mental health. This year, people aren’t as triggered by the pandemic anymore … they process it now.”

A $120, two-course dinner for 12 or 16, with generously flowing wine, often sells out months in advance. There are spin-offs with their own headcounts and prices: 50+ Supper, Lunch Club, Art Club, Breakfast Club, Cook Book Club, Pilates Mingle, Money Talks and Book Swap. For the latter, the 35 guests bring a copy of their favourite book, which is then wrapped with their handwritten thoughts on the read, and gifted to someone else.

“The thing about a book is if you’re nervous it’s a really rich thing to talk about,” McIntyre says.

Social anxiety has become the focus of McIntyre’s business but also her thoughts. She uses Instagram and her podcast, Words with Friends, to explore the theme.

“I would love to find a way to bring out more conversations about loneliness and friendship,” she says. “There are a million articles on how to have a fight with your boyfriend, but nothing about how to have conflict resolution with your friends. These are really vital relationships.”

With Club Sup now a full-time endeavour, with assistance from McIntyre’s sister in Sydney, there’s Brisbane and beyond on the horizon.

“I’m very lucky that I get to have a business that’s not a product,” McIntyre says. “It’s not harming the world and it’s not landfill and it’s making a marked impact on people’s lives. It constantly renews my faith in the world and makes me feel that everything’s all right.”

MCINTYRE’S

PRO

TIPS FOR HOSTING AT HOME:

1. PLANNING

By all means have a theme – like bring a book, record or bottle for discussion – but McIntyre recommends not going overboard. “Anytime that I’ve made it too structured –where I’ve said, ‘Okay, we’ll be doing this and then doing that’ – everyone disengages with it immediately and it’s not fun,” she warns. “Don’t overthink it.”

2. ARRIVALS

Have that welcome drink ready –and McIntyre also suggests asking people not to sit next to the person they came with. “If I [went] somewhere with my boyfriend … we’d have the exact same experience if we hung out all night,” she points out.

3. CONVERSATIONS

“If you’re trying to connect your circles, my favourite thing is to know two things about people so you can say, ‘Oh my god, did you know this about X?’ Then when they start chatting you back off: ‘Okay, I’m gonna go check the potatoes.’”

4. BOOZE

Don’t assume constantly topping up people’s glasses is the best way to lube conversation – there’s definitely a sweet spot. “Three glasses of wine is as far as it should go,” McIntyre says.

5. FOOD

Again, don’t be too ambitious. “Make something that you can have in the oven before everyone gets there,” McIntyre advises. “That might be a roast chicken, a lasagne, a curry or a gorgeous tray-bake of fish and veggies.” She also recommends having plenty of “hot commodity items” –such as roast potatoes – that people have to pass up and down the table.

6. FAREWELLS

Plan ahead and choose a nearby bar for “kickon cocktails”, particularly if you can boast that they do a nice digestif. This gets guests happily exiting the house (and you can return home to the dishes whenever you please).

HOME OF THE WEEK

Refinement at every level

Words by Anders Furze

This heritage renovation is a meticulously executed ode to low-maintenance living. Built by TURN Group and designed by Sync Architecture, many of its joys can be found in its details. From the mature magnolia trees in the front garden to the heated flooring offering warmth in the bathrooms, there’s refinement at every level.

Wander down the enchanting cobblestone path and across the tessellated tiles of the verandah to the front hall. Two large arched windows frame the garden greenery.

Upon entering, the guest bedroom is immediately to your right. It retains its period character, including intricate skirtings, cornices and a ceiling rosette, and has a walk-in wardrobe and a stone en suite with underfloor heating.

Head further inside, and the open-plan kitchen, living and dining space reveals itself.

In this part of the house, it’s all about the indoor-outdoor flow.

Soaring ceilings, the use of curves, light walls and floor-to-ceiling glass all work together to expand the sense of space considerably. Light, space and warmth abound.

The kitchen is appointed with Miele appliances and a PITT cooktop, and the sizeable, curved stone island offers lots of space for cooking, casual eating and hanging out.

The butler’s pantry provides ample storage and the use of bronze and darker tones here lends a refined air to culinary proceedings.

Glass sliding doors lead to the rear garden. A built-in floating bench is the perfect al fresco nook for enjoying a morning coffee or evening cocktail.

Head back inside and up the skylit, Venetian plaster staircase to find the house’s three other bedrooms.

First and foremost is the main-bedroom retreat. This luxurious space has a walk-in wardrobe and dressing table, and the marbleheavy en suite has heated flooring. A skylight brings the sun into the shower.

Built-in wardrobes and a built-in desk complete the retreat.

The two other bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, and the central bathroom has a skylit stone bath. There’s also a study with a built-in desk, perfect for working from home or doing homework as required.

Other highlights include a double garage, stone powder room, laundry, zoned heating and cooling, and security.

Highbury Grove runs into High Street, which means it’s close to a range of buzzy bars, restaurants and cafes, from the Cake Club to Lune.

Toorak Park and Orrong-Romanis Reserve offer plenty of greenery, while nearby are top schools, including Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Wesley College and St Michael’s Grammar School.

Prahran

31 Highbury Grove

$3.8 million-$4.1 million

4 3 2

Auction: 11am, June 22

Agent: Kay & Burton, Oliver Booth 0413 975 723

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Prahran

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“Discover a stunning blend of heritage charm and modern luxury in this TURN Group and Sync Architecture masterpiece. Impeccable design, light-filled spaces, and tranquil elegance await beyond the enchanting cobblestone path.”

NEED TO KNOW

The highest recorded house price for Prahran (past 12 months) was $8.2 million for 51 Murray Street in August 2023.

RECENT SALES

$3.35 million

4 Leila Street, February $4.9 million

600 Malvern Road, December 2023

$3.5 million 11 Airlie Avenue, October 2023

Oliver Booth Kay & Burton

LIKE A LOCAL

Ripponlea

By Camille Allen

The small suburb of Ripponlea, eight kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, is often overshadowed by its neighbours: Elwood, Elsternwick and St Kilda. The microsuburb was established when Rippon Lea Estate, a Victorian mansion set in 14 acres of garden, was subdivided in 1903. But what it lacks in size it makes up for with topnotch food and heritage charm.

Much of the action is on Glen Eira Road. Begin your wander with a baked good in hand from sourdough spot Zelda Bakery, which is completely kosher. The line often runs down the street, so get in early if you’re after fresh braided challah, sourdough doughnuts or its pillowy focaccia. If you’re walking down the opposite way, don’t pass Firebrand. The cosy family bakery has been making sourdough loaves since 1987, and the spicy fruit loaves are a standout. Or pick from a menu of daily rotating pastries.

Ripponlea Food and Wine offers a $35 per person two-hour lunch every Friday and Saturday, and you can add free-flowing French bubbles. If you’ve had your heart set on visiting Rippon Lea Estate, the European-leaning diner also offers a two-course express lunch that includes access into the heritage-listed building, plus your choice of drink.

The suburb is also home to Ben Shewry’s world-famous fine diner Attica – a consistent name on the World’s Top 50 Restaurants list since 2013. The menu is artful, surprising and often informed by moments from Shewry’s personal life. It also offers a glimpse of local history – from the pocket-sized ’burb to the chef’s childhood in New Zealand – through taste and atmosphere.

In more of a casual taco mood? Head next door to Mission District, a Californian-inspired Mexican joint decked out with greenery, moody lights and cheesy, cheesy birria. Almost everything is available gluten free. Before heading home, stop by grungy dive bar Lyrebird Lounge for live music and a nightcap.

Home to one of the world’s top restaurants, Attica, Ripponlea offers fantastic dining, drinking and leisurely shopping options. This underrated suburb, nestled between several well-known areas, is near the Rippon Lea Estate and just a five-minute drive from the bay.

Average Age 34

Median Weekly income $2,023

Top: Unreal Flowers, photo Casey Horsfield. Middle: Attica, photos Colin Page. Below: Firebrand Sourdough Bakery, photo Casey Horsfield

“One

Clockwise from top: Yoga al fresco, Mission District, Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea Food and Wine, photos Casey Horsfield

Josh Stirling McGrath

LUXURY

Words by Shae Wiedermann & Maria Harris

Toorak

Penthouse/2a Hopetoun Road

$6.5 million-$7.1 million

4 4 3

Expressions of interest

Agent: RT Edgar, Mark Wridgway 0419 510 777

This elite Toorak apartment is one of only two in the building. It has the serenity of a tree-lined street and the convenience of proximity to Armadale’s High Street, and tram stops in Glenferrie and Malvern roads. The luxurious interior hosts a private foyer, home cinema, two studies, multiple living areas and a laundry with drying terrace. The two floors are connected by a lift and helical staircase, and outside there is an entertaining terrace and pool.

Brighton 22 Laburnum Street

$5 million-$5.4 million

5 3 3

Auction: 2.30pm, June 22

Agent: Kay & Burton, Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982

This ultra-modern house is within easy reach of Dendy and Were streets’ shops and cafes. The downstairs living domain blends indoor and outdoor areas through sliding doors and wide windows. Upstairs, three bedrooms share two bathrooms, and the main bedroom has a walkin wardrobe and an en suite with a free-standing bath. A study with a dual workspace and a downstairs bedroom with access to the front garden provide flexibility.

Hawthorn 79 Illawarra Road

$4 million-$4.4 million

4 3 2

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, June 12

Agent: RT Edgar, Sarah Case 0439 431 020

This architect-designed double-brick home with a swimming pool on Scotch Hill has sophisticated, sun-drenched interiors. Upstairs, the children’s wing has a retreat, and the main bedroom with a superb en suite opens to a rooftop deck with leafy views. Among the raft of energy-saving features, you will find double glazing, hydronic heating, split systems, solar power and a heat-pump hot-water service. Shops, freeway access and a range of schools are nearby.

1291 Burke Road

$4.5 million-$4.95 million

4 3 4

Auction: 1.30pm, June 22

Agent: Marshall White, Daniel Bradd 0411 347 511

Built by E.A. Watts, the builder of the MCG’s Great Southern Stand, this c1937 residence has a triple brick facade within a hedge-filled garden. Ornate ceilings, parquetry timber floors and open fireplaces comprise the elegant interior, across two levels. A conservatory-style dining room, sunroom and indoor spa are downstairs, while the bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious rumpus room are upstairs. The manicured gardens include a star-shaped pond, heated pool and a covered terrace.

Kew

OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Words by Richard Cornish, Maria Harris & Kay Keighery

LAST WEEKEND

Clearance Rate of

Source: Domain Group

WHAT OUR NATIONAL EDITOR SAYS

Natalie Mortimer Domain national magazine editor

“In the past 12 months, 150,000 migrants arrived in Melbourne, with 120,000 anticipated in the next 12 months, then 85,000 annually over the five years after that, indicating that now could be the time to purchase an investment property. ”

East 3/32 Rathmines Road

$2.6 million-$2.85 million

3 3 2

Auction: 1pm, June 15

Agent: Jellis Craig, Mark Josem 0488 856 736

$4.1 million

Caulfield North 17 Palm Avenue Sold by Marshall White*

*As reported on June 1, 2024

A back gate to Victoria Road Reserve is the icing on the cake here, especially for young families and hospitable grandparents. At the rear of five in a striking complex by NTF Architects – with a private lift future-proofing transit between the three levels – the tasteful townhouse offers a roomy retreat, alluring kitchen-dining-living and a leafyview main bedroom with all the trappings.

South Melbourne 98 Pickles Street

$1.95 million-$2.1 million

3 2 2

Auction: 11.30am, June 15

Agent: Marshall White, Justin Holod 0411 669 161

Snug and secluded behind a high brick wall, this recently renovated single-level home offers both space and privacy in a convenient inner-city location. Close to South Melbourne Market, Port Melbourne Beach and Albert Park Village, it has a dual frontage with rear lane access. Vaulted ceilings and walls of windows bring light to the living and kitchen areas, connecting the home to the lush rear garden. Top-end finishes complete the package.

Auction: 11am, June 15

Agent: Kay & Burton, Matt Davis 0412 466 858

Architecture and design studio Cera Stribley has breathed new life into this single-level Edwardian in Prahran to create a classy, spacious and light-filled home close to schools, transport and High Street. The white stone kitchen with European appliances overlooks the dining and living zone, where steelframed doors extend the living outdoors to the sunny courtyard with a built-in barbecue.

Auction: 2.30pm June 15

Agent: Marshall White, Stephen Smith 0423 266 231

Taking sustainability to a new level, this recently finished home with a Hamptons aesthetic is double-glazed and has hydronic heating, solar power, a hypoallergenic wood heater, a Tesla battery and a vegetable garden. Built by Bayside specialist Thomas Archer, it has three living areas, up to five bedrooms and two en suites – making it ideal for multigenerational living.

Hawthorn

3 2 4

Auction: Noon, June 15

Agent: Buxton, Ross Walker 0425 836 613

The commanding street presence of this stunning Brighton residence is reflected in the superbly finished interior. It boasts herringbone parquetry floors, lofty three-metre ceilings, shuttered floor-to-ceiling windows, and cafe-style bifold doors leading to a treed courtyard shaded with a retractable awning. Close to trains, shops and the beach.

Auction: 1pm, June 15

Agent: Belle Property Armadale, Lauchlan Waterfield 0422 290 489

Switched-on buyers will find plenty of good reasons to drop anchor here. In an arresting shell on the site of a former Red Tulip factory, the nifty pad has a warehouse edge. Facing north, the kitchen, dining and living area adjoins a sunny balcony. Close to trams, trains, shops, parks and nightlife.

Auction: 11.30am, June 15

Agent: Belle Property Brighton, Sam Inan 0433 076 999

A handsome geometric facade introduces this sleek townhouse, wherein curved, polished and textured walls, evocative tones and ample extras create a cool backdrop for modern family living. The ground level offers a home office, a bedroom (with en suite) and an open-plan living area.

Victorian Allure with Village Lifestyle

Perfection in the Domain Precinct

22 Yamala Drive Frankston South

‘Yamala Stables’ – History meets contemporary coastal luxe

A luxury residence of unbridled opulence, with swimming pool, tennis court and breathtaking bay views across Daveys Bay Yacht Club to Melbourne epitomises the ultimate in refined seaside living within steps to the beach. Constructed in 1876 as the stables and coachman’s quarters of the ‘Yamala’ estate, the property has been spectacularly expanded and reimagined to boast multi zoned living, featuring 3 living areas, 2 gourmet kitchens, up to 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sunset terrace and a deluxe poolside alfresco area.

507/150 CLARENDON STREET

MELBOURNE a 3 b 3 c 2 Tuesday 25 June

11-11:30am

10

ROAD

Two Contemporary Masterpieces with Magnificent Views

Unique, bespoke and instantly impressive, these two stunningly designed residences, each with their own driveway, afford a flexible country lifestyle set on approx. 7.4 acres in picturesque Daylesford. Designed by the sustainability guru Joost Bakker, the Main House has all of his trademark design features including an accessible roof top garden. Striking, private and with beautiful views to Mt Franklin and Wombat Hill, this truly is a destination property.

$4,900,000 View As advertised or by appointment

3/50 Hampden Road

A timeless and elegant residence in a unique setting offering complete privacy. Serviced by a lift yet mostly spread across one spectacular level, the sun-filled dining/family room and marble/Miele kitchen flow out to a massive alfresco.

Simon Curtain 0405385285

Sam Goddard 0448870454

David Sheppet 0400 664 181