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The houses at 380-382 Drummond St, Carlton, and 948 Lygon St, Carlton North, are both for sale.
When renovating one of Carlton’s oldest houses with paving stones bearing convict’s fingerprints, how do you embark on a second-storey pergola extension without the neighbours complaining?
The previous owners of 380-382 Drummond St simply purchased the home next door to solve the problem.
The colourful and “unique” house, parts of which are thought to date back to 1855, is on the market with a $1.45m-$1.55m price guide.
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This sum is much higher than $340,000 that the three-bedroom property last sold for in 1992, according to CoreLogic.
Not too far away, another historic house at 948 Lygon St, Carlton North, originally built circa-1878, is for sale via expressions of interest with a $3.55m-$3.9m asking range – a massive increase on the $350,000 it last fetched in 1993.
The Drummond St house has an old-world ambience.
The fountain greets visitors in the front entrance.
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A green cast-iron spiral staircase.
The private balcony with a great view.
Belle Property agent Lauren McElroy said the Drummond St abode was “very unique” thanks to its cast iron spiral staircase leading to a private balcony, convict-carved cobblestones, crystal chandeliers, Victorian cornices, exposed brick and a fountain in the front entrance.
The downstairs fireplace featuring a slate marbleised mantel came from Prospect House in Tasmania, where it was shipped from England circa-1880, and the leadlighting was sourced from Hobart’s Hadley’s Orient Hotel.
The home has a 9m street frontage, two entries, three separate living areas and a courtyard garden with laneway access.
More than 100 potential buyers have inspected the property, listed under a Melbourne council heritage overlay.
“Every room tells a different story,” Ms McElroy said.
“I love the pink fireplace in the yellow-painted room and also the stained glass windows in the green room.”
Plenty of natural light streams in.
A country-style kitchen with chequerboard floors.
The downsizing owners have told Ms McElroy that a bluestone building on the site was partially demolished to make way for the neighbouring brick cottages.
The remaining bluestone walls now makes up part of the existing house, where some bricks contain convict’s thumbprints and animal footprints.
Before the vendors purchased the house, the previous owners – a builder and “flamboyant decorator” formerly of Brighton – renovated the property in the 1980s.
A top spot for dining, relaxing or reading.
The property has three bedrooms.
A newspaper article about the house described how the man and woman overhauled the property “sparing neither the expense nor the colour scheme” including their purchase of the home next-door.
The article stated the pair did a “bloody good job” including ripping down walls, redoing plumbing and electrical work and painting the dining room peacock green.
They sourced materials from old farmhouses, pubs and mansions throughout Victoria and the decorator’s home state of Tasmania.
“If your tastes match your inferiority complex, this house is not for you,” the article advised.
“It could be difficult to live in a house that has more charisma than you do.”
The stately entry to 948 Lygon St, Carlton North, also known as ‘Fiddle House’.
The grand entry beyond the front door.
Soaring ceilings are one of the home’s many drawcards.
Meanwhile, the four-bedroom Lygon St double-fronted Victorian abode known as “Fiddle House” is also impressive, boasting a temperature-controlled wine cellar capable of storing 700 bottles, three-car garage and pool.
Kay & Burton Hawthorn agent Walter Dodich said the owners had renovated the house in keeping with its period character.
“It’s pretty rare to find a 838 square metres of land with a very-well proportioned house, this space and period features in Carlton North, that’s not another one like it,” Mr Dodich said.
Some of Fiddle House’s features are a include a separate laundry, hydronic heating, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, timber flooring and a three-car garage.
The kitchen and living area look out to the pool.
The property is situated within walking distance of Rathdowne Village, Princes Park, Melbourne University and public transport.
The owners, who are embarking on a sea-change, were married in Fiddle House.
“They had over 200 guests in the back family room and they had plenty of space,” Mr Dodich said.
“The cathedral-ish ceiling in that area is about 3.5, 4m high.
“You wouldn’t build that today, it would cost a bomb to do so.”
The “grand” house is close to the popular Enoteca Siciliano store and cooking school.
Expressions of interest will close 5pm on Tuesday.
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