Domain Review Stonnington & Boroondara - September 06, 2023

The Art of Living With Charles & Leah Justin

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This publication is published by Domain Holdings Australia Limited and Broadsheet Media Pty. Ltd. and is printed by IVE, 25-33 Fourth Avenue, Sunshine VIC 3020

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Broadsheet Editor: Jo Walker Assistant editor: Gitika Garg Design: The Company You Keep, Sam Aldridge, Ben Siero Sub editors: Jasmine Crittenden, Barnaby Smith, Annie Toller Writers: Rosie Herdman, Chris Harrigan, Ruby Harris Photographers: Jamie Alexander, Pete Dillon, Ed Gorwell, Arianna Leggiero, Kaede James Takamoto, Amy Hemmings, Kate Pascoe, Hilary Walker

Cover credits: Charles and Leah Justin shot by Hilary Walker

Broadsheet Media acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to lands, waters and communities. We pay respect to Elders past and present and honour more than 60,000 years of storytelling, art and culture.

From Broadsheet editor, Jo Walker

This week’s cover story features Charles and Leah Justin – proprietors (and occupants) of the Justin Art House Museum (JAHM) in Prahran. Their home is a gallery/house hybrid, filled with abstract art, mid-century furniture and a small library’s worth of books collected over 52 years of marriage.

When we use the phrase “that house is like a museum”, it’s not normally a compliment. We think of someplace austere and unchanging, where you might be shushed if you’re not on best behaviour.

But the Justins’ home is not like that at all. It’s full of life and warmth and colour, with art lovers visiting for events and exhibitions, and big family gatherings occasionally spilling out into gallery spaces from the dedicated living area up top.

Being a prominent architect (now retired), Charles of course was very involved in the build – collaborating on designs laid down by daughter Elisa, director at Justin Architecture. He and Leah are justifiably proud of their unconventional house, but they’re prouder still of the life they’ve built together.

“I really downplay the physicality of the home,” Charles told us. “For me, the home is the life that you put into it.”

It’s a good motto. As much as we love sharing beautiful spaces (and there are plenty more to come in future issues), they’re not just for looking at, they’re for living in. And it’s the life you live in them that counts.

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Back Chat with Mo Zhou

Neighbourhoods: St Kilda

Benjamin Baldwin

Property Listings

“Besides cooking, I don’t really know much. I always think about food.”

Back Chat with Mo Zhou

Home Visit: Charles & Leah Justin

Park Pantry

119 Park Street, South Yarra

Park Pantry (formerly Le Derriere by Entrecote) has been quietly serving as a takeaway coffee, sandwich and pastry shop for a few months now. After a light refurb, the 16-seat venue – led by sommelier Jeremy Vogrin – is now operating as a wine bar, too.

During the day there are sandwiches, including a croque monsieur with mortadella, pork and apple; sausage rolls; boeuf bourguignon pies; and a salad niçoise. By 4pm on weekdays and 12pm on Saturdays and Sundays, the petite Euro-style spot becomes a wine bar, plating dishes like corn polenta with foraged mushrooms, tiger prawns with a saffron risotto, and confit duck.

Given Vogrin’s sommelier credentials, it’s no surprise that there’s a “very smart”, tight list on offer. Expect German rieslings and rosé from Provence, alongside pinot noir from GevreyChambertin, chardonnays from Montagny and more chardonnays from one of Vogrin’s favourite local producers, Giant Steps. — AP

THREE OF A KIND

Local Small-Batch Chilli Oils

Leave it to crispy chilli oil to spice up any meal, literally. (We recommend fried rice, soups, egg dishes and cheese toasties especially.) Gyoza joint Chotto Motto sold so many jars of its crispy mix during lockdown, it helped keep the whole business going. Bomb Ass Chilli Oil (or “BACO”) is an all-rounder with versatile flavour. And chilli lovers can get Ronin on subscription. — GG

Chotto Motto Crispy Chilli Oil chottomotto.com.au

Bomb Ass Chilli Oil hdfoods.com.au

Ronin Chilli roninchilli.com

Photo: Kate Pascoe

READ ME IN THE DIARY ADD TO CART

Maison Balzac Cello apron

Dressing tables, lighting candles and setting the mood are dinner party essentials. Cult Sydney homewares label Maison Balzac can always be trusted to provide the goods with its playful offering of candle holders, glasses, plates, textiles and other joy-filling wares. New to the party is this elegant cello-inspired apron in 100 per cent organic flax linen, complete with delicately embroidered details. Nodding to Jean Cocteau’s designs for the Ballet Russes in early 20th-century Paris, it’s the brand’s first wearable piece and the perfect hosting accessory. — GG

$79 / maisonbalzac.com

Fish Butchery

With several Sydney restaurants under his belt – plus a James Beard Award (aka the Oscars of food) for his debut book The Whole Fish Cookbook – chef Josh Niland is truly paving the way with his “fin-to-scale” mission: dedicated to cooking as much of the fish as possible. This new cookbook is presented in three separate sections (Catch, Cut and Craft) and is ideal for lovers of seafood – whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced chef. — RH

$49 / hardiegrant.com

Sisterworks Spectacular Cultural Festival

Over the past decade, not-for-profit outfit Sisterworks has helped economically empower more than 2000 migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker women from 105 countries. To mark its 10-year anniversary, the organisation is bringing a vibrant day of culture, stories, art, music, dance and food to the Abbotsford Convent. Browse more than 40 stalls run by women (“the Sisters”), with all sorts of locally made wares and food on offer. Plus, there’ll be traditional dance performances and plenty of activities. — GG

9am–4pm Sep 9 / Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford / @sisterworks_inc

HOME MAKER

Joyrolla

Marissa Mills is used to people puzzling over what to call the Joyrolla – at one point, the new Aussie label’s co-founder took to describing it as “a grocery granny cart trolley thing”. Inspired by the classic nonna version, the new design comes in three parts (frame, wheels, bag) that can be repaired and upgraded over time. The washable and water-resistant bag – made from recycled components and available in ochre, black and lilac – has plenty of pockets for phone, wallet, tablet and keys. Plus space enough for a hefty market shop. — JW

joyrolla.com

SNACK BAR STREET STYLE

Thelatestin Melbourne foodnews

by Audrey Payne Swanston Street, CBD

Ca Com, chef Thi Le’s banh mi bar, is now open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 30 pm. Le, also the chef at Laotian restaurant Jeow, which is next door, is serving a small snacky menu, including housemade Vietnamese charcuterie and rotating grilled items. 336 Bridge Road, Richmond / @cacom.banhmi.bar

Abbotsford Convent will see new spot Julie open this month in the former Lentil as Anything space. The laid-back, 80-seat restaurant will occupy a heritage room and be run by the team behind the convent’s cafe and wine bar, Cam’s Kiosk. 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford / julierestaurant.com.au

Ondo, a Korean restaurant in Armadale, has opened a CBD outpost on Little Lonsdale Street. The team is serving speciality drinks, like black sesame lattes and sujeonggwa, a Korean cinnamon punch, as well as savoury breakfast sets and pastries. 115 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne / @ondo_melb

The duo behind The Orrong Hotel in Armadale has reopened Yarra Valley pub Healesville Hotel, founded in 1912. The historic charm remains, but the pub has had a retro refresh with a 1970s colour palette. There’s a bistro, public bar and lush 200-seat courtyard with a kids’ playground outside. 256 Maroondah Highway, Healesville / healesvillehotel.com

Cannoleria has partnered with Ministry of Chocolate to make bars garnished with broken cannoli shells. The tasty fragments add crunch to pistachio with white chocolate, orange with dark chocolate and hazelnut with milk chocolate flavours. Available at all Cannoleria outlets, including the flagship store at South Melbourne Market. 322-326 Coventry Street, South Melbourne / cannoleriabythatsamore.com.au

Read the full story for each dot point: broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/snack-bar

Name: Louis Harrison Age: 18 Occupation: Freelance photographer and writer What are you wearing today? I found these pants at an op shop for $6 – they’re my best purchase. I wear them every day; they’re my lucky pants. My necklace is a globe that I got for my 18th birthday from my mum, and it came with an inscription in the box saying “Be the change you want to see in the world”. My shirt is from Dangerfield and the shoes are Doc Martens – they are just so comfy. How would you describe your style? I really like monochrome colours like black, white and grey. I have pretty much this same outfit paired with a skirt as well, but I tend to prefer dressing a bit more masc.

THE EVOLVING CBD

Not so long ago, Melbourne’s CBD was essentially just that – a business-centred zone. Now it’s difficult to imagine a more exciting or well-serviced place to call home. Every conceivable cuisine is on offer down walkable streets and laneways, plus world-renowned coffee and boutique shopping.

MEDIAN PRICES CBD 2 bed unit, $399k 3 bed unit, $518k 4 bed unit, $1.075m

Source: Data based on sales within the last 12 months

Photo: Amy Hemmings

Photo: Kaede James Takamoto

Photo: Nick Wilkins

Photo: Pete Dillon

BACK CHAT Mo Zhou

Words by Audrey Payne

Photo by Arianna Leggiero

Mo Zhou is consumed by food. “Besides cooking, I don’t really know much,” Zhou tells Broadsheet over coffee at Gaea, the 16-seat Gertrude Street restaurant he opened in 2019. “I always think about food.”

Gaea’s 10-course tasting menu changes monthly. But in Zhou’s perfect world he’d update it far more frequently. He says he gets bored easily, has too many ideas, and enjoys challenging himself (and diners) too much to be satisfied cooking the same dish for any extended period.

Zhou’s food is loosely Japanese, and more generally Asian-inspired. Diners are presented with a menu at the end of the meal, with only the key flavours and ingredients listed. “My cooking is, in a way, quite subtle,” Zhou says. “I don’t use much spice. I used fermented juice, flavoured oils and flavoured salt to season dishes.” The results are ambitious, intellectual and never boring.

Then there are the ceramics. Everything down to the butter knives is custom-made and Zhou has a say in each design. “I’m very addicted to handicraft, and I appreciate everything made by hand and locally,” he says. The pieces mostly come from Melbourne’s Merrimu Studio, Sydney ceramicist Daniel J Mulligan, Tasmania’s Ridgeline Pottery and a friend of Zhou’s in Europe. Dishes are dramatically presented with an abundance of flowers, leaves, hay, wheat and even chestnut shells to remind diners of the land they come from.

It’s hard to believe Zhou had never cooked (professionally or at home) until he started studying at the William Angliss Institute 16 years ago. Originally from Zhengzhou in Henan, China, he moved to Melbourne with his family as a teenager. After high school, he embarked on a business degree.

“I didn’t really know what I could do,” he says. “My score wasn’t high enough to be a doctor or do law, so it was business.”

He never finished the course. One year

before he was due to graduate, Zhou spent six months travelling through England, Scotland, France, Germany and Italy, and had the kind of revelatory experience gap years are meant to offer, but seldom do.

“As a new immigrant, I didn’t actually know much about this city [Melbourne]. We still ate mostly Chinese at home … Going to Europe really opened my mind, and when I came back, I just never went back to uni. I thought, ‘Maybe I can try cooking.’”

After finishing the cookery course at William Angliss – where the discovery of Peter Gilmore’s Quay: Food Inspired by Nature in the school library opened his eyes to the world of Australian fine dining – Zhou staged and then took a job at Ripponlea fine diner Attica and followed it up with stints at Vue de Monde and Press Club. He did several pop-ups around Melbourne, Sydney, Seoul, and China and spent three months in 2018 staging at celebrated Copenhagen restaurants Amass and Kadeau, where he focused less on refining his kitchen skills than unpacking the restaurants’ food philosophy. By 2019 he was ready to open his own spot, and Gaea started service.

But the chef refuses to rest. Six weeks ago he – along with Kantaro Okada of Leonie Upstairs and Hareruya Pantry and Alicia Feng of Calere – opened Chiaki, a Collingwood restaurant in the former Congress space specialising in ochazuke (rice bowls steeped in green tea). While it’s early days, Zhou says they’re “much busier than expected”.

Zhou’s work ethic, obsession with food and raw culinary talent makes him one of Melbourne’s most exciting chefs. While his food may look and feel like artwork, he doesn’t consider himself an artist. “At the end of the day, a chef is a cook and I cook. I don’t pretend I know everything, I just need to be me and be the best. That’s always been Gaea. We’re not chasing perfection, we’re chasing a great experience.”

Home Exercise Gear Chic Enough To Leave on Display

By Jo Walker

BALA ON-THE-GO KIT – $168 Known for its hit weighted bangles, Bala turns out a range of shapely and colourful ergonomic exercise gear that can pass for installation art between reps. Weighted bars, rings and beams in cheerful hues sub in for the more familiar forms of dumbbells, kettlebells and barbells. shopbala.com.au

ESFERA WELLNESS BALL – $179 Exercise balls are great, but we haven’t always loved their off-duty looks. Sydney label Esfera’s decor-friendly wellness ball is designed to stay out on display rather than hide away. Use as fun seating for guests, or practise active sitting at your home-office desk in between sweat sessions. esferadesigns.com.au

SEEK SOLITUDE YOGA BOLSTER – $139 Made from pure cotton with a buckwheat-hull filling, these yoga bolsters from Mornington Peninsula label Seek Solitude do the job when you’re getting yin on the mat. They’re also a comfortable and stylish addition to your sofa, bringing a pared-back coastal aesthetic when it’s time to lounge post-savasana. seeksolitude.com.au

FRANK GREEN XL CERAMIC REUSABLE BOTTLE – $89.95 Need bulk hydration with style? This two-litre ceramic bottle from Melbourne label Frank Green comes in many peppy hues, and its hefty thermal mass keeps water chilled for days. BPA-free and recyclable at end of life, it also looks pretty good on a coffee table. frankgreen.com.au

MAAT THE SUEDE TIGER MAT – $129 Animal prints are a neutral, but The Suede in Tiger print from Aussie label Maat is just as much glam rock as it is balanced meditation. At 3 5-millimetres thick, it features a sustainably sourced natural tree-rubber base and recycled PET suede-feel top, promising an extra luxe workout feel. maat.world

CELSIUS YBELL – $79.99 TO $129.99 Invented by an Aussie personal trainer, the YBell incorporates four handles and can be used as a dumbbell, kettlebell, medicine ball or push-up stand depending on how it’s gripped. With neoprene coating in a range of bold colours (plus classic black), its sleek form easily doubles as minimalist ornament or doorstop. rebelsport.com.au

HOME OF THE WEEK

Italian-inspired Toorak luxury

Words by Richard Cornish

Highbury is an impressive home in an exclusive and sought-after location that balances European tradition with modern living.

Built in 2001, the home was designed by award-winning architect Rob Mills, who worked alongside landscape designer Paul Bangay. They had a brief from the client, a family with Italian heritage, to create a home built around three basic principles: family, friends and food. The result is a property that is simultaneously grand and grounded.

A gravel footpath leads through a colonnade of productive citrus trees surrounded by clipped English box hedges to the columns of the loggia.

These frame the large 18th-century carved timber Italian doors, creating a memorable sense of arrival. The doors swing open to reveal the high, arched ceilings and the first of many long views to the gardens beyond through the steel-framed windows.

This relationship between the indoors and outdoors is found throughout the home. Through every window, with their lovely curved arch frames, is another view into the garden, with the wisteria snaking around the

columns, flowering magnolias, fragrant star jasmine and Virginia creeper on the walls.

The loggia, at the rear of the house, is a spacious outdoor living area surrounded by a garden and heated by an open fireplace. This is a place for outdoor meals and long summer evenings of conversation.

The formal dining room is light-filled with the same generous proportions and high ceilings found throughout the home. Here, there is an open fireplace with a carved stone surround lined with herringbone patterned bricks. Like the rest of the ground floor, it is tiled in marble, with hydronic heating underfoot.

The study nearby is a quiet workspace with plush carpets, wood-panelled alcove and shelving. The glass doors open out onto the verandah and look out through the columns onto the citrus trees outside.

At the heart of the house sits the kitchen. This is a clean, sleek space with stone-topped surfaces, two sinks and generous storage and looks out through the living and dining spaces onto the heated pool and al fresco dining area.

Upstairs are the bedrooms with leafy vistas across Toorak and beyond. The main bedroom has a spacious walk-in wardrobe leading onto a generous bathroom with a free-standing bath backed by a wall of marble. The two other bathrooms both have their own en suites.

This luxurious and undeniably warm and welcoming home was built to the highest specifications for people who love living life to the fullest.

Toorak

10 Kenley Court

$17 million-$18.5 million

3 4 3

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, September 12

Agent: Abercrombys, Jock Langley 0419 530 008

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“The synergy between architect and garden design has created an impressive, luxurious and –at the same time – liveable home, in Melbourne’s best street.”

NEED TO KNOW

The property was last sold for $1.485 million in September 1999, and the highest recorded house price for Toorak was $80 million for 29-31 St Georges Road in August 2022.

RECENT SALES

$4.21 million

24 Denham Place, August $2.13 million

37 May Road, April $33.5 million

1 Whernside Avenue, April

Jock Langley Abercrombys

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Book a tour today to find out more.

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together WINDSOR

Charles and Leah Justin Live in a Work of Art

Words by Rosie Herdman · Photos by Hilary Walker

The founders of the Justin Art House Museum talk us through their day-to-day lives in a home-gallery hybrid in Prahran. It’s a house that embraces dualities: public and private; colourful and zen; cultural conduit and family home.

Many of us like our homes to be a haven from the outside world. As the founders of the Justin Art House Museum (JAHM), Charles and Leah Justin invite the outside world in – while maintaining a peaceful sanctuary to wind down in at the end of every day.

The three-storey building, formerly a block of flats, is a striking geometric presence on a Prahran corner site. The lower two floors are dedicated exhibition spaces, and the Justins live on top.

They opened their home-gallery hybrid in 2016 to publicly share their passion for contemporary art and design, along with a collection of more than 350 pieces amassed over decades.

Charles is a former architect who co-founded major practices SJB and Plus Architecture, while Leah was the adult education coordinator at the Jewish Museum of Australia until 2021. Now they lead regular and intimate tours of their ever-changing exhibitions – which are followed by refreshments and socialising in their living quarters. JAHM also hosts evening lectures and other happenings such as concerts and charity events.

The couple collects abstract art – mainly Australian, with some international pieces picked up on travels. They also collect mostly emerging artists and want to demonstrate that an art collection doesn’t need to be all big names. “A lot of people are intimidated by contemporary art, and we’re trying to instil some confidence,” Charles tells Broadsheet “Don’t care what people think. If you love it, get it – then it becomes part of your life.”

“We wanted to give people a sense that you don’t have to be an authority to comment on art,” Leah adds. “And to give them that opportunity to have a conversation.”

Having met in 1970, they’ve been married for 52 years and enjoy a colourful family life in their unconventional home. Gatherings often spill out of the dedicated living spaces. “I was playing soccer with my grandson in the gallery space and [we] had the ball whizzing past those paintings,” Charles laughs.

Despite the home’s arty focus, both owners share a favourite room in the house: Charles’s study, lined with hundreds of books from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. Tell us about the architectural process. Charles: We bought the site just before I retired, and our daughter Elisa [ Justin, the founder of Justin Architecture ] took it on. So that was interesting, to have not only your parents as a client, but also a major architect as your client.

We spent time thinking through our vision for JAHM. On our travels, we visited private museums and saw that each one was individualistic and idiosyncratic because they reflect the personality of the collector. That gave us the confidence that we could do our own thing. The challenge lay in making the house comfortable for both two people and 100 people. The place is a bit like a piano accordion that can expand and contract to suit the needs of the circumstances.

It all went smoothly. Something I learned through my practice is the best projects come through collaboration, because collaborators tend to edit out each other’s bad ideas, and the better ideas tend to prevail.

Leah: That’s what happens with JAHM too. You’re not visiting a white cubed institution; you’re visiting a synergy of gallery space and home together. We offer food when you come into our apartment, because it’s natural to offer hospitality when you come into someone’s home.

What’s the day-to-day reality of living in this type of home? Leah: Because there are three tiers, you don’t necessarily have to go into the gallery – it’s a discrete module that we made a conscious decision to not integrate into the plan of the residential compound. We’ve got screens that can contain a space or open it up, and we’ve got a large terrace with glass doors that can be pushed right back. Luckily, we’re very ordered.

Charles: Sometimes we tap into the gallery space for when we have large family celebrations. We can set up long trestle tables for 40 or 50 people, which is very hard to fit into a normal house. And our grandkids sometimes come down and play in the gallery space; they drag out all the chairs and bring blankets down.

What is the neighbourhood like?

Charles: We’re in Prahran, quite a dense inner-urban suburb. We’re surrounded by apartment buildings or flats, which are all two or three storeys high. One of the big

selling features of this property is we’re on a corner, and down the side street is a cul-desac with a park at the end. The irony is that from our living space, we feel like we’re in the country. We do not feel the urban density around us, because we’re on the third level –we’ve got views of all the treetops, views of the park and views of the city.

Leah: You can walk anywhere [from here] including Chapel Street. So it’s got fantastic social amenity, but it’s not “high-end real estate” in the street at all.

What’s your approach to decorating?

Leah: We have mid-century furniture with a combination of Persian rugs, clean timber floors and very clean lines. The furniture is architectural. We didn’t have to buy any when we moved in, because it’s furniture that we’ve collected over the last 40 years. We wanted it to be a warm home, and that’s what people say when they walk in.

Charles: Because of the art, we wanted the interior to be relatively recessive. There are essentially four finishes: oak floors and joinery throughout the whole house, white walls except for the two splashes of blue at either end. We’ve got some black trim, and in the wet areas we’ve got travertine stone. Every year we rehang the art both in the gallery and our home. That changes the whole complexion of the apartment. We’ve had people come back for a visit, and ask “When did you do your renovation?”

What’s it like living in such a distinctive house? Leah: I don’t think about it in those terms – it’s my home. Charles: The distinctiveness of the outside sits more comfortably with the gallery areas, whereas the house is quite different … It’s got a certain serenity to it, and its connection to the outside architecture is more indirect from that point of view. The outside is quite sculptural, whereas the apartment itself is a lot more zen.

What do you love about your house?

Leah: I love the light. We have east, north and west light all day, and the changing of the sky, the sunsets and the dawns just make you marvel at the beauty of the world. I love coming home. No matter how crazy the world is outside us, I feel like I’m in a sanctuary.

Charles: Although I’m an architect, I really downplay the physicality of the home. For me, the home is the life that you put into it. It’s fantastic here and we don’t take it for granted. But it’s what we’re doing with it. We meet all these people here, we have amazing nights and fantastic lectures and great tours. At the end of the day, if you look at what makes a place special, it’s the people.

WINDOW SHOPPING

St Kilda

By Gitika Garg

There’s something special about a beachside suburb. The diversity of metropolitan living on the ocean’s edge, with all those big water views. Ever since the railway opened in 1857, locals and tourists have been flocking to St Kilda – a melting pot of old and new.

Heritage pubs and hotels are bursting back to life, and in the suburb that’s always reinventing itself there’s a host of fresh additions, too. Kick back with an icy beer or two at The Prince Hotel or the newly revamped Saint Hotel – now a multi-level dining destination on Fitzroy Street. There’s the Village Belle Hotel, the 152-year-old Post Office Club Hotel – where you’ll find $3 50 oysters at happy hour – and, of course, the much-loved live music icon Hotel Esplanade (or “The Espy” as most know it), originally built in 1878

Winding your way down Acland Street, you’ll find European-style cake shops like Monarch Cakes, still baking its classic Polish cheesecake from a 100-year-old family recipe; health-focused cafe Sister of Soul; and the art-lined interiors of Italian diner Cicciolina. Over on Carlisle Street, grab a round of Margs at Radio Mexico or newly opened Latin-American diner Rufio, or graze through the afternoon at The Local Taphouse, where you’ll likely try beers you’ve never heard of before.

As you’d expect, the beachfront is magnetic. Locals and visitors walk, scoot and cycle under the palms. Settle down with fish and chips on the sand or, for something finer, take a seat at Stokehouse to enjoy uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling views and an extensive seafood menu. You could also enjoy a meal at the St Kilda Sea Baths, or at Donovans – imparting a genuine dinner-party-at-a-friend’s-house feel. Afterwards, see little penguins at the Breakwater if you’re lucky.

Plenty of energy hums outside of wining and dining, too. Start by shopping for wares at the Esplanade Market on Sundays before adventuring at Luna Park. Finally, catch classics and cult favourites at The Astor Theatre’s treasured single-screen cinema or enjoy live music at the Palais. Pop over to see Australia’s first Pride Centre as well, adding to the suburb’s rich cultural significance.

NEED TO KNOW

If there’s one word that describes St Kilda, it’s eclectic. Originating as a glittering seaside resort for the wealthy, it’s evolved into a hub for artists, misfits and pleasure-seekers. And with the majority of occupants renting, it’s a great place for investors looking to expand their portfolio.

Average Age 36

Median Weekly income $1,779

Owner 35% Family 22%

Renter 65% Single 78%

Clockwise from top: Saint Hotel, photo Jamie Alexander; Radio Mexico, photo courtesy venue; The Local Taphouse, photo courtesy venue; Prince Hotel, photo Arianna Leggiero; Stokehouse, photo courtesy venue

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“St Kilda boasts some of the best examples of Victorian, Edwardian and modern architecture whilst offering leafy streets and a relaxed seaside lifestyle with amazing eateries, parks and easy access to the CBD.”

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES

Median price houses $1.507m

Median price units $528,750

Distance from CBD 5km

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in St Kilda

Clockwise from top: Walking on the foreshore, Catani Gardens, Acland Street, The Astor Theatre, photos Amy Hemmings

Sam Gamon Chisholm & Gamon

Benjamin Baldwin

Words by Chris Harrigan · Photos by Hilary Walker

When Benjamin Baldwin set out to open his Melbourne woodworking studio, he had two clear goals in mind: make some of the most quietly stylish chairs, tables and beds this side of Scandinavia, and take care of the planet in the process.

The result of those dual ambitions is Baldwin Studios: a one-stop online shop for the environmentally minded aesthete in need of sustainably made furniture and tableware.

“Making things has always been a part of who I am and what I do,” Baldwin says while stepping Broadsheet through his range of minimalist wooden goods, which includes everything from low-rim plates to banquet-sized dining tables. “But I’m equally passionate about sustainability.”

Passionate may be an understatement. After enrolling in an industrial design course at university, Baldwin imagined a life as a busy furniture maker. “But when I saw the massive environmental impact of the industry, I took a step back.” For the next decade Baldwin worked not as a designer but as a conservationist, including a lengthy stint as a base manager (and occasional ship repairer) with Sea Shepherd.

It was fulfilling work, but the urge to create never fully dissipated. To scratch that creative itch, Baldwin began making furniture in his downtime, focusing on simple designs he could produce with minimal environmental impact. The few buyers lucky enough to score a Benjamin Baldwin stool or chair from this era can attest to their craftsmanship, but output for the part-time operation was understandably slow. That is, until two years ago, when Baldwin decided to go all in on furniture-making, opening Baldwin Studios with a full suite of handmade products.

“I offer almost every item of furniture that you’d need for your house,” Baldwin says, seemingly surprised by the extent of the range he’s managed to put together as a one-person operation. Each piece is made from reclaimed wood, which Baldwin sources from local Melbourne timber yards, and all

waste is recycled, if not reused: plates and bowls, for instance, are made using offcuts from larger items.

The maker says that what unifies his collection is its simplicity. “I like minimising every element down to its most basic form,” he tells Broadsheet. “All my pieces try to fulfil a need in the simplest and most functional way, and I use a lot of utilitarian forms and minimal structural elements to communicate those functions. That means staying away from overly complex joinery and any kind of ornamentation.”

That insistence on simplicity helps Baldwin steer clear of trends. Timelessness is the goal – for environmental reasons as much as stylistic ones. “There’s no point making something that’s going to last a long time if the next generation isn’t going to want it,” Baldwin explains. “Sustainability isn’t just about what your products are made from. It’s about lasting aesthetics.”

These aesthetics are on full display in Baldwin’s latest “product” line: a series of artworks made from acrylic paint on linen canvas. “Painting is something I’ve been doing since I was a kid,” he says, “but I’d always kept it separate from my design practice.”

That thinking started to change during the pandemic, when Baldwin found himself painting more and more “just to structure my time”. Slowly, he came to realise his art and furniture were guided by similar principles: “simple structural forms, arranged and orderly”.

By incorporating art into his studio work, Baldwin is chipping away at the designer’s credo that form always follows function. Which makes sense: if we’re going to save the planet, we may as well try to fill it with nice-looking things. “I’m really inspired to introduce more and more colour into my work, and experiment with finishes,” Baldwin says. “It feels nice.”

All Baldwin Studios pieces are handmade entirely from locally sourced, recycled timber and can be ordered through baldwin-studios.com

Burleigh, QLD

by Ruby Harris

Burleigh was once the sleepy Gold Coast suburb you’d drive through on the way to Surfers Paradise. Times have changed though, and Burleigh is now the place to be – for the beach and the food.

If you’re visiting on a Saturday morning, start at the Burleigh Farmers Market, which runs from 7am to midday at Burleigh Heads State School. Among fresh produce and deli products, fnd food trucks and cofee vans – an ideal spot to begin your weekend.

On any other day of the week, you can’t really go past a morning start at Commune Espresso on

the highway. It’s hard to go wrong with the menu, but we recommend the Super Greens Bowl (add haloumi and thank us later), accompanied by freshly squeezed juice. Otherwise, head down the road to Helen’s Heavenly Wholefoods Cafe on James Street and pick up a takeaway acai bowl to indulge in on the beach.

You could easily spend the day just lazing on the sand (or surfng the world-class point break), but there’s also the option of the 3 1-kilometre Burleigh Head Oceanview and Rainforest Circuit. The round hike takes about an hour, and you’ll be

rewarded with gorgeous sweeping views of the ocean and city. Next, try an early afternoon snack at Paddock Bakery. Take a seat in the outdoor area and order a few pastries to share.

At night, stop by Light Years for dinner. With outposts in Noosa, Byron Bay and Newcastle, the modern Asian diner opened just a few doors down from Commune in 2019. The menu includes the likes of frecracker chicken, eggplant katsu bao and Singapore chilli prawns, as well as a very healthy selection of cocktails.

Sounds like an ideal weekend to us.

Photo courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland

LUXURY

Words by Joanne Brookfield & Richard Cornish

Glen Iris

46 Montana Street

$3.7 million-$4 million

5 3 2

Auction: 1.30pm, September 9

Agent: Marshall White, Jesse Matthews 0413 197 905

Falkirk is a deceptively modern and spacious home in a very desirable part of Glen Iris. The hedged garden and 1939 English-style frontage give way to an exciting renovation and large sympathetic extension. An atrium floods the home with natural light, European stone tops the kitchen benches, and a fireplace warms the formal dining room. With marble-lined bathrooms, original Tasmanian oak floors in the front and a heated pool at the rear, this is a beautiful family home.

Armadale

Ground Floor, 16 Horsburgh Grove

$8 million-$8.8 million

3 3 4

Expressions of interest: Close noon, September 7

Agent: RT Edgar, Mark Wridgway 0419 510 777

Down a quiet, leafy street is this striking modern townhouse. Winning HIA Apartment of the Year, it is both secure and secluded while spacious and generously proportioned with 3.2-metre ceilings throughout. The marble-topped kitchen boasts Wolf appliances, and the relaxed living area, with its herringbone timber floors, leads out to a private courtyard. The main bedroom has a luxurious en suite with underfloor heating, while the basement houses a garage for four cars.

Penthouse, 2/2a Hopetoun Road

$8 million-$8.8 million

4 4 3

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, September 12

Agent: Kay & Burton, Rae Mano 0413 768 163

On one of Toorak’s best streets is this luxurious, two-level penthouse offering a heated lap pool, gym, gold-class cinema, study, lift and wine cellar. This large, spacious home is both light and lofty yet private and secure. It seamlessly blends modern architectural lines with traditional materials such as European oak floors and polished plaster walls. All bedrooms have en suites and the comfortable upper-floor living area leads onto a full-length terrace with stunning vistas.

Armadale

113 Kooyong Road

$6.8 million-$7.4 million

5 2 2

Expressions of interest: Close 3pm, September 14

Agent: RT Edgar, Anthony Grimwade 0404 561 988

Built when homes had libraries and entrance foyers so grand they had their own fireplace, Iroquois is a perfectly preserved Edwardian home from 1895. On almost 920 square metres, there was the space for Kirby architects to extend, bringing a contemporary aesthetic to the kitchen and meals zone (which opens to an courtyard overlooking the pool) and adding a spiral staircase descending to a humidity-controlled wine cellar and tasting room with an adjoining media room or gym.

Toorak

ARDENCY KENNEDY PLACE

Exclusive Richmond club offers city views

Words by Liz McLachlan

Imagine for a moment, as the last light of the day washes dusky pinks and fiery oranges across Melbourne’s skyline, that you’re on the eighth floor of an exclusive building.

You’re surrounded by a blend of history, luxury and sophistication, with a glass in hand, celebrating life with a close-knit community of friends. This isn’t a five-star hotel. It’s your retirement.

Welcome to the Kennedy Club, atop Ardency Kennedy Place, a high-end retirement community poised to redefine what it means to retire well. Opening later this month, this Richmond address offers more than just a place to reside – it promises a transformative experience.

Ardency Kennedy Place is located on the site of the former Channel Nine studios in leafy Richmond, once home to In Melbourne Tonight, the long-running show hosted by Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton.

Developer Keyton (formerly Lendlease Retirement Living) named the project in honour of Graham Kennedy, once known as the king of Australian television.

Kate Costello, Ardency Kennedy Place’s manager, offers an intimate tour of the

Kennedy Club. She says it is central to the retirement community’s living experience.

The club’s elegant dining room is ready to host special occasions, with a private chef conjuring culinary magic.

The Kennedy Club also has a less formal dining area, where residents can enjoy catered meals from the cafe and provedore, as well as a welcoming space for friends and family to gather for coffee.

History buffs will be intrigued to find that the billiards area and piano bar pay tribute to the building’s origin as the Wertheim Piano Factory, built in 1908. Until its 1935 closure, the factory produced about 18,000 pianos, including one for famous soprano Dame Nellie Melba.

Yet, the Kennedy Club is more than an indoor sanctuary. Its showstopper is a captivating rooftop retreat showcasing panoramic views of Melbourne, framed by two vibrant teppanyaki bars. It’s perfect for celebrating New Year’s Eve or simply gathering for happy hour, with the skyline as your backdrop.

The Kennedy Club is just the tip of the iceberg. “Ardency Kennedy Place is a premium retirement community designed for

discerning residents keen to experience the extraordinary,” Costello says.

This community offers the buzz of Melbourne’s best arts and entertainment, paired with the tranquillity of the Yarra River. And, with the CBD just four kilometres away, urban conveniences are within easy reach.

But there’s more than just connection, location and community that’s attracting the over-55s to this development.

The architecture and interior design by Bates Smart, one of Australia’s foremost studios, has produced retirement living on a new level: large floor plans with open, lightfilled living areas and expansive terraces.

Each apartment features an Italian-made Snaidero kitchen, complemented by stateof-the-art Miele appliances. Views? Choose between the ever-fascinating cityscape or the tranquil Dandenong Ranges.

For those seeking bespoke luxury, the penthouse residences feature the highestquality fixtures and finishes in generously proportioned living spaces, filled with natural light, ambient warmth and comfort.

At its heart, Ardency Kennedy Place is more than bricks and mortar – it promises

five-star experiences. Every service is tailored for residents, from a dedicated concierge curating theatre tickets, bespoke dining or travel plans, to a health and wellbeing coordinator crafting holistic wellness journeys.

Costello sums it up: “For us, Ardency Kennedy Place is all about ensuring our residents can connect and experience the extraordinary in a luxurious yet fun-filled retirement community.”

As the lines between luxury and retirement blur, Ardency Kennedy Place manifests a future for the discerning retiree.

This is a fusion of impeccable surroundings, indulgent amenities and the moments that make life extraordinary.

Hover your camera phone over app code to view the listing

The rooftop terrace

OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Words by Joanne Brookfield & Shae Wiedermann

LAST WEEKEND

Clearance rate of 66%*

Source: Domain Group

WHAT OUR PROPERTY EDITOR SAYS

Canterbury

22 Warburton Road

$3.4 million

4 2 1

Auction: Noon, September 9

Agent: Jellis Craig, Richard Winneke 0418 136 858

Only a short walk from Maling Road shops, cafes and restaurants, this elegant Victorian abode maintains its period charm inside and out. The facade is fitted with ornate timber fretwork and rests within landscaped gardens. The interior is sun-filled and spacious, with character in the oak floors, high ceilings and original open fireplaces. The solar and gasheated swimming pool, complete with Italian glass mosaic tiles, is perhaps what sets this house apart from the rest.

Alice Stolz

“The sun’s out! After months of a quasi stalemate, supply is increasing [albeit slowly] finally giving buyers some options.”

Canterbury

51 Canterbury Road

$1.85 million-$2.035 million

4 1 3

HIGHEST VALUE

$4.35 million

Richmond

168 Brighton Street

Sold by Jellis Craig*

*As reported on August 26, 2023

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, September 16

Agent: Kay & Burton, Sophie Su 0425 270 125

This Edwardian residence has parkland on its doorstep, cafes and shops up the road and a station within walking distance. The floor plan includes three bedrooms and a flexible fourth bedroom, which can be converted into a study. A large covered terrace offers al fresco dining in leafy surrounds, while a separate home theatre is perfect for relaxing.

South Yarra

7/15 Cromwell Road

$900,000-$990,000

2 2 1

Auction: 11.30am, September 9

Agent: Belle Property Armadale, Mark Williams 0417 189 377

On the ground floor, with its own entrance from Motherwell Street, this apartment boasts two private courtyards which give each bedroom a garden view. The openplan kitchen has a central island bench, sleek stone surfaces and ample storage, plus there’s a study nook, European laundry and secure basement car park. It’s the lock-up-and-leave option apartment living is favoured for.

Toorak

593a Toorak Road

$3.3 million-$3.5 million

4 2 2

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, September 12

Agent: Jellis Craig, Carla Fetter 0423 738 644

With pristine elegance spanning two floors, this home blends old English revival and art deco design to achieve deluxe family living. Oak floors, corner fireplaces and an original staircase give the interior its charm, while outside, a terrace is enhanced by a manicured garden. A Juliet balcony, guest powder room and a workshop add to the allure.

Domain property editor

Hawthorn East

23 Rathmines Road

$2.95 million-$3.245 million

4 2 2

Auction: 12.30pm, September 9

Agent: Marshall White, Stuart Evans 0402 067 710

Fun fact: the vendor of this house is Anna Walker, an award-winning illustrator and author of many children’s picture books published worldwide. She’s parting ways with this single-level renovated and extended block-fronted Victorian residence, which is so pretty it could be in a picture book.

Prahran 1 Closeburn Avenue

$2.2 million-$2.4 million

3/40 Caroline Street

$1.75 million-$1.925 million

3 2 2

Auction: 10.30am, September 9

Agent: Marshall White, Fraser Cahill 0400 592 572

This single-level solid-brick home has been given an extensive freshen-up, so it can be immediately enjoyed as a family home or snapped up for the rental market. For investors, the property will offer the temptation to renovate, extend or develop (STCA), given it sits on a 560-square-metre block.

Auction: 1pm, September 9

Agent: Whitefox, Michael Torcasio 0434 351 468

With Bar Carolina on ground level and restaurant France-Soir across the street, you probably won’t even use the statement black granite kitchen in this whole-floor apartment. One of only four residences, it has almost 200 square metres of contemporary living and an outdoor entertaining area.

3.5 5 4

MALVERN EAST 10 CENTRAL PARK ROAD

Amongst esteemed company in the prestigious Gascoigne Estate, this exceptional 5-bedroom Federation residence has been expertly reimagined and extended to meet the many lifestyle demands of modern family living.

OFI

2.00 - 2.30pm & 5.30 - 6.00pm

Thursday 7 September

Auction 1.00pm

Saturday 9 September

Agents

Michael Cooney 0418 325 052

Toby Primrose 0415 333 380

South Yarra

Hover

21 Victoria Avenue, Canterbury

4 A 4 B 4 C

This impressive renovated 2-storey family residence c1879 exemplifies the elegance of the Victorian era combining a stunning contemporary interior including arched hallways, sitting room, study, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, family retreat, stainless steel, Barazza/Miele kitchen, WIP, dining and glass-walled living areas, pool/spa & night-lit court.

marshallwhite.com.au

Expressions of Interest

Close Monday 11th September at 5pm

Viewing

Thursday 11.45-12.15pm & Saturday 3.15-3.45pm

Contact James Tostevin 0417 003 333

Hamish Tostevin 0408 004 766

Scarlett Hang 0405 054 888

Penthouse/59 Darling Street, South Yarra

3 A 3 B 2 C

Spanning two breathtaking levels atop the exclusive Plus Architecture designed “Elan” directly opposite Darling Gardens, this sophisticated penthouse is a consummate celebration of state-of-the-art style, luxurious finishes and spectacular uninterrupted views of the city skyline and Yarra River.

marshallwhite.com.au

Expressions of Interest

Close Monday 18th September at 3pm

Viewing

Thursday 5-5.30pm & Saturday 3-3.30pm

Contact Nicholas Brooks 0419 883 136

Leonard Zhang 0410 203 336

Alan Crawford 0423 747 155

33 Clive Road, Hawthorn East

5 A 4 B 1 C

Superbly renovated/extended Victorian residence c1890 featuring 4 bedrooms, 2/ WIRs/ensuites, upstairs main with City views and retreat with study/office alcove. An expansive family domain includes dining, living, conservatory meals area, prestige Euro kitchen, laundry and powder room. Opening to a courtyard, deck and original restored stables.

marshallwhite.com.au

Auction

Saturday 16th September at 11.30am

Viewing

Thursday 1.15-1.45pm & Saturday 11.30-12pm

Contact James Tostevin 0417 003 333

Daniel Bradd 0411 347 511

488 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne

4 A 3 B 2 C

marshallwhite.com.au

Auction Saturday 23rd September at 10.30am

Viewing Thursday 11-11.30am & Saturday 9.15-9.45am

Contact James McCormack 0410 503 389

Ben Bongiorno 0417 584 793

14 Winter Street, Malvern

Auction

Saturday 16th September at 2.30pm

Viewing Thursday 1-1.30pm & 6-6.30pm & Saturday 2-2.30pm

Contact Nicole French 0417 571 505 Justin Long 0418 537 973 Mark Harris 0414 799 343 marshallwhite.com.au

32 Caroline Street South, South Yarra

Auction

Saturday 16th September at 11.30am

Viewing Wednesday 6-6.30pm & Saturday 11.30-12noon

Contact James McCormack 0410 503 389

Ben Bongiorno 0417 584 793

Nicholas Brooks 0419 883 136 marshallwhite.com.au

187 Page Street, Middle Park

Auction

Saturday 9th September at 10.30am

Viewing Thursday 11-11.30am & Saturday 10-10.30am

Contact Stuart Evans 0402 067 710

Jin Xu 0402 608 886

Duane Wolowiec 0418 567 581 marshallwhite.com.au

1 Theodore Court,

Expressions of Interest

Toorak

Close Tuesday 12th September at 3pm

Contact Justin Long 0418 537 973

Joanna Nairn 0419 994 664

Nicole French 0417 571 505 marshallwhite.com.au

Auction

16th September at 12.30pm Viewing Thursday 1.15-1.45pm and Saturday 12-12.30pm

marshallwhite.com.au

Auction

42 Hope Street, South Yarra

Auction

Viewing

1 Closeburn Avenue, Prahran

4 A 2 B 4 C

Auction Saturday 9th September at 10.30am

Viewing Thursday 12-12.30pm & Saturday 10-10.30am

Contact Fraser Cahill 0400 592 572 James McCormack 0410 503 389 marshallwhite.com.au

105/65 Maitland Street, Glen Iris

3 A 3 B 2 C

Private Sale

Viewing Thursday 1-1.30pm & Saturday 3-3.30pm

Contact Jack Nicol 0400 774 428 Alan Crawford 0423 747 155

marshallwhite.com.au

19 Logan Street, Canterbury

4-5 3 3 876sqm

PRICE $5,000,000 - $5,500,000

AUCTION Saturday 16th September 11.30am

- Stunning fully renovated Edwardian 4-5 bedroom, 3 bathroom family home, originally built circa – 1910

- Extension and renovation completed in 2016 by renown local architect, Ian McEwan

- Embraced by immaculate gardens designed by landscape architect, Ian Barker

- Period features include pressed metal high ceilings, leadlight bay windows, ornate cornices, and fretwork

- Engineered French Oak flooring

- Stylish alfresco & outdoor kitchen overlooking resort-style pool

- Stunning swimming pool is salt-chlorinated, self-cleaning, plus gas and solar heated

- Luxe master bedroom flaunts walk through BIRs, ensuite & in-room bathtub

- Three further bedrooms are beautifully appointed with BIRs

- Family bathroom boasts walk-in shower, bathtub, and exquisite finishes

- Hydronic heating & refrigerated cooling for comfort

- French cast iron wood heater 'Cheminees Philippe' is the perfect finish in the living room

6/400 Canterbury Rd, Surrey Hills heavyside.co

Expressions

Ground Floor 16 Horsburgh Grove, Armadale

a b c d

4 Beamsley Street, Malvern

35 Mangarra Road, Canterbury

a b c d