Cool conversions: Seven of the best warehouse homes on the market

Trendy loft-style warehouse conversions have fast become a sought-after commodity among property buyers.

Popularised by artists converting old factories and warehouse buildings in former industrial neighbourhoods of New York City, such as Brooklyn and Tribeca, the trend quickly found its way into the streets of Australia’s own NYC: Melbourne.

But buyers in inner-city Melbourne are not the only ones fighting tooth and nail to nab a quirky conversion brimming with character and history.

Sydney’s market also offers an abundance of former industrial buildings that have been spruced up, transformed into luxe apartments and placed on the market for millions.

Typically characterised by vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and brick walls, and an airy, open floor plan, old warehouses are an attractive offering for those seeking a unique property in the heart of the city.

Even areas of Perth, particularly in early factory hot spots like Fremantle, boast cool conversions at a more affordable price point than their Melbourne and Sydney counterparts.

Baston & Co. Property director Derek Baston is selling a four-bedroom ex-corner store from the early 1930s in the riverside suburb of Victoria Park — an area he said you won’t typically find a property of this calibre.

“This is an incredibly rare listing; a lot of the old warehouses don’t exist anymore, so this is very unique,” Mr Baston said.

“And (people) are buying because of the history, they’re buying the story that’s in the walls and they love being a continuation of something that’s a bit more real than a new build in Perth that’s a bit more soulless.

“It goes beyond character — they want grit, and they don’t want to be like anyone else.

“I’ve had some of the quirkiest, most interesting buyers that would normally be Freo buyers as that’s where most of the converted warehouses are.”

He said the demographic seeking a historic conversion was a “broad church” of people including those looking to run a left-of-field home-based business that commands a large, open space.

This has included florists, coffee roasters, artists, and even a buyer wanting to transform the property into a cattery.

In Melbourne, Marshall White Stonnington agent Joanna Nairn is helming the sale of a classic three-bedroom warehouse conversion within Carlton’s iconic former tie factory.

“It’s so rich with history and so groovy inside — like a new home in a very cool older shell,” Ms Nairn says of the 83 Faraday Street home.

“So far we’ve had activity from downsizers from the affluent outer suburbs wanting a lifestyle change and looking for some decent space, tall ceilings and something low maintenance.

“Warehouse conversions are so popular as there is never too many to choose from, and when they do come up, they have so much character and a real quirk and style.

“That’s what I love about Carlton too — not one property is ever the same as another.”

Below, find seven incredible warehouse conversions on the market right now across the country.

23 Barr Street, Balmain

Price range: $5.9 million

This airy, light-filled warehouse conversion in Sydney’s Balmain has been home for the past 40 years to internationally acclaimed Australian artist Sandra Leveson, who converted the former chemical warehouse into a residence in the early 1980s.

It has four bedrooms, high ceilings, a sunny rooftop swimming pool, and a striking sawtooth ceiling roofline.

Exposed steel trusses and beams, as well as the stainless-steel kitchen, add to the industrial feel.

It’s truly one-of-a-kind.

464 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

Price range: Contact agent

In one of the coveted pockets of Surry Hills, this Stephen Collins-designed architectural masterpiece was converted by the current owner from a warehouse dubbed ‘The Old Labor Club’ in the 1960s, when it served as an ALP social club.

It stretches across multiple levels including a huge gallery space on the first floor, complete with a home cinema, plus a wine cellar at ground level.

It’s the perfect purchase for an artist or someone seeking a large display space or work studio.

83 Faraday Street, Carlton

Price range: $3m-$3.3m

Ms Nairn’s listing in Carlton’s former tie factory is sure to draw a crowd at its auction on November 27.

The site is located in an industrial band of Melbourne home to many old factories and warehouses, including 83 Faraday St which was developed from a mix of retail brick shops and small residential timber cottages to a watch case manufacturing factory in 1941.

Four years later, it was purchased by AusticoTieCompany who expanded the factory site.

Now, it’s a stylish three-bedroom home in the heart of the city, featuring a private courtyard garden, exposed brick walls, and a luxe marble-clad kitchen.

11 Dock Street, South Brisbane

Price range: Contact agent

A home in the Dock Street Warehouse has been listed in the industrial area of South Brisbane.

The warehouse won an Australian Interior Design award for best residential design after the former mechanics’ workshop underwent an extension renovation and expansion by Surroundings architects.

The three-bedroom home is nestled in the heart of Southbank’s cultural precinct on the water’s edge.

The kitchen stands out, with a theme of raw and functional minimalism.

It features aged copper accents and an enormous island bench atop concrete slab flooring.

The stunning property also has a central courtyard and a luxe main bedroom on the third floor, complete with an ensuite, living area and terrace with panoramic views of the Brisbane River and city skyline.

36A Geddes Street, Victoria Park

Price range: Contact agent

Mr Baston’s listing for this rare Victoria Park offering in Perth is likely to sell for upwards of $1 million.

In the 1930s to 1940s, it served as an iconic corner store before it was said to become the first building in WA to use the term “supermarket”.

Later iterations included use as a commercial coffee roasting premise, a tea warehouse, and a series of hire car companies.

Now, the four-bedroom home is a rare residential offering featuring a huge 14-metre freshwater indoor pool concealed by a glazed wall within the main living space.

Fifteen-metre Scottish steel trusses and concrete flooring complete the NYC warehouse feel of the two-storey conversion.

3/61 Scott Street, Newcastle

Price range: $4.5 million

An apartment in the historic Menkens-designed building in the harbourside city of Newcastle is on the market for the first time since 2017.

The apartment, which has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, is part of a landmark building originally designed by renowned German architect Frederick Menkens in 1899 for R Hall & Sons.

It later housed Rundles Tailoring before it was converted to apartments in 1998.

The stylish conversion features four-metre-high ceilings with timber beams, tall arched windows, polished concrete floors and exposed brick walls — all features one would expect of a converted warehouse pad.

Plus, it boasts uninterrupted views across Newcastle Harbour.

4-6 Phoenix Lane, West Melbourne

Price range: $2.3 million

In Melbourne’s inner west, a three-bedroom circa 1860 brick and bluestone converted warehouse has hit the market.

Originally the Phoenix Clothing factory, it’s now a heritage-listed landmark where industrial history meets contemporary flair.

Accessed via a discrete laneway, the property stretches over three levels and features original timber floors and barn doors, soaring roof trusses, exposed pipework, and a fully equipped stainless-steel kitchen.

It also comes with a spacious outdoor courtyard and a ‘glass box’ library that could be used as a bedroom, office or creative work space.