Birchgrove and its neighbouring suburb of Balmain are some of the oldest in Sydney, thanks to their important proximity to the mouth of the Parramatta River, as well as the merchant trading sites of The Rocks and Circular Quay nearby. The streets are drenched in two centuries of history, which is a legacy that can be felt at 14 Louisa Road, Birchgrove, as a recently listed property that exudes a Victorian Italianate grandeur.
Originally constructed around 1876, the “Vidette” home is one of the oldest residences in the area and while many elements have been updated to suit contemporary tastes, much of its original character remains to this day. Located on a 475m² harbourside block that once stretched all the way to the water’s edge, it still offers views out across the Parramatta River and beyond, all while being located across the street from Birchgrove Park and just a few minutes drive from the popular Balmain shopping strip.
The elegant sandstone dwelling contains four bedrooms, three bathrooms and space for three cars to park, making it an ideal family home for anyone looking to enjoy a little more peace and quiet in their everyday lives. While its Victorian-style construction and location are obvious highlights, the gardens at the front of the property are equally significant in their impact, greeting you with a lushness that would be impossible to find in equivalent homes in Melbourne and perfectly presenting the house in natural verdancy.
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Upon arriving through the front garden, you’re immediately struck by the street-level veranda and overhanging balcony above you that for some reason, has a distinctly Australian feeling to it. It might be missing the old rocking chair, but 14 Louisa Road, Birchgrove, still gives off a sense of heritage-informed local living with a refreshingly modern twist.
The entry hallway first leads to the lone ground-floor bedroom to your immediate left, while the linked formal living and dining rooms are to your right, with views over the rear courtyard and sparkling waters beyond. Following the hallway and you’ll arrive at the comfortably sized kitchen, which opens up onto the casual living and dining spaces that wrap around the left side of the courtyard, accessible via a set of double doors that combine outside and in when the weather permits.
As the perfect location to enjoy a beer in the summer sun, the courtyard is also home to the outdoor heated pool that features a rustic stone wall in keeping with the construction of the home, while also offering seclusion and privacy. From the courtyard, you’re able to reach the upper levels of the home via an external spiral staircase that winds its way to the upper terrace, which delivers the best views of anywhere on the property.
The upper level can also be reached with the narrow, period-constructed staircase that climbs up from the entrance hallway, where you’ll find the other three bedrooms, including the master bedroom complete with a walk-in robe and ensuite bathroom. All three bedrooms have direct double-door access to either the large front balcony or the even larger terrace at the rear, adding a little taste of the natural surroundings to each of the upstairs rooms.
“Birchgrove’s Louisa Road is one of the Inner West’s best streets – well-regarded for its location, views and village feel,” explained Andrew Liddell, one of the agents managing the sale of the property.
“‘Vidette’ offers this on a grand scale, one that marries its late 1800s construction with modern updates that make it an exceptional family home. These are features that give this home a real sense of glamour, presence and importantly, livability.”
Livability is a word that is hard to argue with when it comes to 14 Louisa Road, Birchgrove, as a home that offers the compelling blend of an inner-western location and a Victorian-era construction. There’s an unmistakable old-world charm that radiates from its century-and-a-half-old walls, with rich heritage details found throughout the property that speaks to its quiet, timeless majesty.
Only recently listed by real estate agents BresicWhitney, 14 Louisa Road, Birchgrove, is set to go under the hammer at auction on Saturday, 19 November, with a price guide of $7,000,000. To register your interest in this remarkable home, please follow the link below.
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