This former milk bar in Fitzroy North comes with a surprise 'oasis' garden
These are no ordinary outdoor spaces.
Like most architect-designed homes, this Fitzroy North property is stunning from the facade to the interior. Where it differs, however, is in its creative response to the outdoor spaces.
Designed by Kennedy Nolan, with landscape design by Amanda Oliver, these are no ordinary outdoors. In the middle of a covered alfresco area is a circular garden with lush greenery cascading down from the roof.
It's a show-stopping feature and one that undoubtedly stops visitors in their tracks. The home includes a second feature garden, this one positioned outside the study - likely making working from home a much more pleasurable experience.
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Originally a milk bar, the late-Victorian weatherboard still features the historic perimeter wall alongside the property.
In Kennedy Nolan's brief the architects explain that the owners wanted a "conventional family home" with space for a "large productive garden". To achieve this, they based the design on "the compartmentalisation of space that you see in the Medina of Arab cities." This created "walled zones" within the property.
"We were very keen to capture the exciting experience of threshold that walled cities provide - the emphasis on the street door, in this case under the awning of the old milk bar, directly into an 'oasis'," reads the architect's statement.
"This green refuge is many things - a welcoming respite from the street, an ante-room to the interiors and a gathering space for the house."
Currently listed for sale by Mark Verrocchi and Bella Cortese from Nelson Alexander Fitzroy, the property has a price guide of $3.9 million to $4.29 million.
Not to be outdone by the outdoors, this home also features exceptionally beautiful interiors.
So beautiful, in fact, that in 2021 it won the award for Houses (Alterations & Additions) at the Victorian Architecture Awards and the award for House Alteration and Addition over 200 square metres at the Houses Awards.
Located on the one level, the home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining.
The sage green kitchen includes a functional butler's pantry, premium appliances and a marble island bench with timber panelling.
The living and dining spaces feature exposed brick covered in grey render paired with timber sliding doors and a panelled roof. Natural light filters in through ceiling-height windows that line the walls.
Three of the bedrooms are fitted with built-in robes, while the spacious main suite includes a walk-in robe and ensuite.
Just as important as the aesthetics are the performance features of the home, which include solar infrastructure, hydronic heating, underfloor bathroom heating, zoned ducted air conditioning, three-phase power, EV charging capability and advanced security systems.
The home is ideally located close to the Merri Creek trails, and the vibrant shopping strips on St Georges Road, Nicholson Street and East Brunswick Village.
558 Rae Street, Fitzroy North is currently listed by Mark Verrocchi and Bella Cortese from Nelson Alexander Fitzroy. The price guide is $3.9 million to $4.29 million. An auction is scheduled for February 21 at 11.30am.
Originally published as This former milk bar in Fitzroy North comes with a surprise 'oasis' garden
