While some folks think bigger is always better when it comes to luxury real estate, this thoughtfully designed Sydney residence proves it isn’t the space you’ve got, it’s how you use it. Located on a modest parcel of land less than half the size of the quarter-acre block that the Australian dream was built on, 61 Victoria Street, Waverley, is a how-to guide for maximising the space and creating an idyllic family home in the process.
Originally just a humble terrace less than a mile from the golden sands of Bronte Beach, the property has been transformed into an architect’s delight that spans four levels, while still having space on the 473m² block for front gardens, a rear courtyard and a heated outdoor pool. Boasting no less than six bedrooms, four bathrooms and space for a trio of cars to be parked off the street, the residence also hides some of the most impressive amenities we’ve seen in a home like this.
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The entry to the home remains between the heritage corbels of the original terrace, with a clipped contemporary garden to greet you through timber doors before you arrive in the large open-plan living and dining space. The centre point of the house is the generously proportioned staircase which slowly spirals its way above and below the ground and makes way for a softly contoured semi-circular space that perfectly accommodates a big dining table.
Adjacent to the masterfully crafted staircase is the kitchen, complete with a long breakfast bar island bench, a walk-in pantry and several Subzero fridges and a freezer. The rest of the ground level comprises two lounge rooms at the front and rear of the house, both of which open up onto their respective gardens.
Outside on the ground level is where you’ll find the elongated L-shaped swimming pool, perfect for cutting laps when the beach is too cold, while the alfresco dining area flanking the pool serves as the perfect spot to delete a few spritzes in the summer sun. At the rear of the property is the stackable car parking, which shares a wall with the pool and descends below ground level to offer an underwater window from the garage into the pool.
The lower level might be the best of the bunch, however, which features a semi-circular billiards room beneath the dining table, a wine cellar and even a soundproof music room just in case you need somewhere to record your next album. It also contains an additional living room to watch TV uninterrupted, a workout space and even one of the six bedrooms.
Making our way up the stairs to the first of the aboveground levels and we find four more bedrooms, one of which enjoys an ensuite bathroom while two others have balconies that face the front of the property. The next level up is where we find the palatial master bedroom that has its own walk-in dressing room and one of the more beautiful master bathrooms you’re likely to see this week. With an enormous skylight and one of the walls made of curved frosted glass that forms the top of the stairway cavity, it’s sure to offer a little more than your average shower.
The final level is a sunroom with a large balcony nearly twice the size of the room it opens up from, serving up immaculate north-facing views and even a peek at the sparkling waters of the ocean to the east. This home really does seem to have it all, despite its unassuming appearance from the street.
The home at 61 Victoria Street, Waverley, is currently represented by McGrath Paddington and is due to sell at auction this Saturday the 8th at 12.45pm. While we’ll have to wait for the weekend to see exactly how much the property will sell for, the agent was able to provide a price guide of $11.9 million.
