Former milk bar with secret garden goes under the hammer – realestate.com.au

A former milk bar and Victorian house renovated into an award-winning family sanctuary with a secret garden are to be auctioned this weekend.

The four-bedroom home at 558 Rae Street in Fitzroy North goes under the hammer on Saturday, February 21, with a price estimate of $3.9-$4.29 million.

And it turns out to be very popular: more than 250 groups inspected the house during the campaign.

Acclaimed Melbourne architects Kennedy Nolan designed the renovation in 2019, retaining the original late Victorian facade panel and perimeter wall.

At the heart of the house lie beautiful courtyards, landscaped by Amanda Oliver, that resemble a secret garden, adorned with hanging greenery while filling the adjacent living spaces with natural light.

A series of well-designed internal zones wrap around the courtyards and continue to a double garage and vegetable garden at the rear of the property.

The renovation retained the Victorian facade. Image: realestate.com.au/buy

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The kitchen and adjacent butler’s pantry feature paneled walls and a freestanding statement stove, layered with high-end appliances and tactile materials.

Four bedrooms and two well-appointed bathrooms are flooded with natural light thanks to skylights above both showers.

The renovation was designed by acclaimed Melbourne architects Kennedy Nolan. Image: realestate.com.au/buy

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Nelson Alexander sales agent Mark Verrocchi said it was a special offer that was close to his heart.

“I’ve known this place all my life because it used to be our local milk bar,” he said.

The former milk bar and adjacent Victorian house have been transformed into a beautiful family home. Image: realestate.com.au/buy

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“I used to live around the corner and my mother would send me there to get milk, bread and other things. I even played tennis against the big brick wall on the north side.

“I was fortunate enough to sell this property to the current sellers, and they have done a fantastic job transforming this home.”

The kitchen and adjacent butler’s utility room feature paneled walls and a freestanding stove. Image: realestate.com.au/buy

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Mr Verrocchi said the property was “truly unique”.

“Kennedy Nolan architects have put all their unique style into the house and it is one for the ages,” he said.

“It is special in every way, especially because of the use of shape and form.

The courtyards fill the living areas with natural light. Image: realestate.com.au/buy

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“It’s all on one level, it utilizes the full 550 square meters available and different materials are used throughout, from concrete to exposed timber and steel.

“It is a relief because it meets all the requirements for many buyers.”

There were more than 250 home inspections during the campaign. Image: realestate.com.au/buy

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He said the renovated home has received multiple state and national architecture awards.

In addition, the property features extensive solar infrastructure, supported by Tesla battery storage, as well as hydronic heating and underfloor heating in the bathroom.

It also has zoned air conditioning, three-phase power, EV charging capabilities and advanced security systems.

The courtyards feel like a secret garden in the center of Melbourne. Image: realestate.com.au/buy

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Mr Verrocchi said it had been a huge campaign so far, with more than 250 inspections.

“The campaign has done incredibly well, we have seen a whole range of buyers and demographics looking at the house,” he said.

“We’ve seen everyone from young families to downsizers.”

The property is steps away from the Merri Creek trails and village shops along St Georges Road, Nicholson Street and East Brunswick Village.

It is also located in the coveted Merri Creek Primary School zone, attractive to family buyers.

Fitzroy North’s median house price rose 8.6% to $1.6725 million in the year to January, while unit prices rose 9.5% to $706,000, according to PropTrack.