RELATED: 131yo Bellarine Peninsula home that takes two hours to inspect

Geelong sellers net $50K bonus as downsizers duel over city home

How a renovator’s delight became a parkside prize in Newtown

The power of South Geelong to attract buyers in this market cannot be underestimated.

Hodges, Geelong West selling agent Marcus Falconer calls the suburb “Geelong’s best kept secret.”

But there are obvious selling points – the South Geelong train station, GMHBA Stadium, South Geelong Primary School, The Pivotonian Cinema, Little Creatures Brewery and the Barwon River precinct where you can walk, bike ride and row. You can also walk to Geelong’s CBD and the waterfront.

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

Built in the early 1800s by an Irish immigrant, the classic Victorian-era house has been transformed in a renovation and architectural extension that earned a finalist nomination in the 2022 Housing Industry Awards.

On buying the property in 2014, Shane Dargue researched its history and the area, before meticulously restoring the original front four room and planning a modern extension at the rear.

“I’m not a fan of attempts to replicate history, the extension needed to stand on its own two feet and represent us,” he said.

From the wrought iron lacework and leadlight front door, hallmarks of the home’s Victorian heritage continue in the front four rooms of the original home. But at the end of the hallway, the narrative suddenly changes.

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

A blast of contemporary architecture sweeps through steel framed doors into a striking open-plan living, dining and kitchen zone.

Herringbone timber flooring at the front of the home gives way to polished concrete and decorative cornices are replaced with a soaring, modern industrial-style ceiling with exposed steel beams.

“The brief to the architect was to reflect and respect the traditional land uses around Geelong which stem from manufacturing and industrial uses, so you will notice a lot of concrete, a lot of brickwork, exposed steel beams, an external steel cladding that runs along the void, steel framed doors and a very monochromatic palette,” said Mr Dargue, who works in the construction industry.

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

The fully-integrated kitchen is described as a “modern masterpiece” by the selling agent. Dressed in black, it has porcelain benchtops, Miele appliances, a walk-in pantry and a glass window splashback that frames a view of the garden.

No doubt, the food and wine connoisseur will not only love the kitchen, but the ventilated wine cellar that can be seen (and accessed) underfoot in the kitchen. The lower ground cellar can hold more than 600 bottles.

The dining area is spacious enough for a table that seats at least eight. A long bench seat against a wall of windows on the other side of the table could help you stretch to more.

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

Combined with the comfortable living room with its eye-catching brick feature wall and gas log fireplace, this becomes the perfect place for the family to gather, or to host guests.

Upstairs, via a striking staircase of timber and black steel rods, there is a main bedroom with an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe, an office or additional lounge room, and some extra storage space.

This area again emphasises the contemporary feel of this wonderful extension, with timber tones, black steel-framed windows and angular rooms with high ceilings and skylights.

One of Mr Dargue’s favourite areas in the home is a vantage point of a special architectural feature.

“There’s a corner of the living room, that if you sit in a particular spot on the couch – which is my go-to every Sunday morning with a cup of coffee – you have filtered sunlight coming through the tall windows that run along the northern side of the house, and you can really appreciate the double height of the extension.

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

You can look all the way down to this long, exposed, unsupported 14-metre steel I-beam with steel cladding that sits on top. I think that’s my favourite spot.

The two-storey extension helped maximise the outdoor living space on the 496sq m block. The outside area is under cover and has a built-in stone bench with a mini fridge and a barbecue.

A double garage with a powder room and workshop, has rear lane access. And still there is an enough lawn and garden to enjoy, without it becoming high maintenance.

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

245 Yarra St, South Geelong.

---

Additional features of this beautiful, energy efficient inner city home include passive airflow systems, double glazing, thermal insulation, hydronic slab heating, two split-system air conditioners, automated skylights, remote-controlled blinds, vegetable gardens and a 2000l cistern-linked rainwater tank.

For families looking for a new home close to schools, public transport and walking distance to the river and waterfront, Mr Falconer considers this private sale an opportunity to be ready and settled for the new year.

Meanwhile, the current owners are on the hunt for their next renovation challenge.

Hodges, Geelong West agent Marcus Falconer has set a $1.85m to $1.95m price guide for 254 Yarra St, South Geelong.