From the outside, passers-by would never guess that a quaint single-story home with leafy native gardens hides a modern mansion with a James Bond-esque garage and underwater playroom.
The Grade II listed cottage, with its contemporary extension, is located in the leafy suburb of Hawthorn in central Melbourne, just east of the city centre.
At the front, the family home exudes historic charm with original windows and a classic facade, while the rear is a sleek and sophisticated architectural space that fuses indoors with outdoors.
In the basement is a teen retreat with a full-sized billiards table, TV area, darts board and foosball table – but its most striking feature is the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks a swimming pool.
Also in the underground level is a five car garage with a James Bond style car turntable to easily maneuver any vehicle out of the driveway.
An unassuming heritage home in a vibrant Melbourne suburb hides an incredible architectural masterpiece, complete with some very futuristic James Bond-esque features
In the basement is a teen haven with a standout feature of the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the pool below the surface of the water, as well as a five-car garage with a James Bond-style car turntable
The Grade II listed cottage with its contemporary extension is located in the leafy suburb of Hawthorn in central Melbourne, just east of the city center and features a unique vaulted design
The traditional style of the home’s exterior is contrasted by chic polished concrete as guests step foot in the minimalist entrance, home office, living room and bedrooms.
A dividing wall with an integrated bookcase stops briefly to merge the den and casual living room, and a feathered concrete ledge runs between the rooms.
The home’s historic charm is not lost in its modern design, as original wood sash windows, a mottled glass front door, and rich hardwood floors remain intact.
On the other side of the living room is an intriguing circular wall of glass that runs all the way through the house past the stairs and kitchen to the family room.
Light pours into the main lounge through the expansive window wall overlooking the pool, while a hanging fireplace warms the airy space
A dividing wall with an integrated bookcase stops briefly to merge the den and casual living room, and a feathered concrete ledge runs between the rooms
Polished concrete elements on the floors, walls and ceilings in the living room and kitchen with white marble countertops and an illuminating skylight
The wall of glass peels back to merge the open family room with the arched central courtyard featuring a sunken entertainment area, BBQ and wraparound pool.
Upstairs there are two bedrooms, a master suite with a study area, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite and a lift runs from the top floor to the ground floor.
Light streams into the main lounge through the expansive window wall overlooking the pool, while a hanging fireplace warms the airy space and the TV retracts into the ceiling at the touch of a button.
The home’s historic charm is not lost in its modern design, as original wood sash windows, a mottled glass front door, and rich hardwood floors are retained
Owners Steph and Bill Fry told the publication old-meets-new home was “on its last legs” when they bought it in 2015 and turned it into the spectacular family retreat it is today
The wall of glass slides back to merge the open family room with the arched central courtyard featuring a sunken entertainment area, BBQ and wraparound pool
Polished concrete elements on the floors, walls and ceilings in the living room and kitchen with white marble countertops and an illuminating skylight.
The home’s interior designer, Mikayla Rose of Heartly, told us Houses to love the magnificent pad’s kitchen is her ‘ever favourite’ with its functional layout that separates the common area from the workspace.
Owners Steph and Bill Fry said the old-meets-new home was “on its last legs” when they bought it in 2015 and turned it into the spectacular family retreat it is today.
It was the couple’s “last family home” they moved into from across the street and they are now downsizing now that most of the children have left the nest
Upstairs there are two bedrooms, a master suite with a study area, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite and a lift runs from the top floor to the ground floor
After Bill, who runs his own development company WAF Construction with Steph, “worked seven days a week for a year” to restore the property, the parents and their three teenage children moved into their dream family.
It was the couple’s “last family home” they moved into from across the street and they are now downsizing now that most of the kids have fledged the nest.
The Hawthorn house has been put on the market with a target price of $10 million.
Listing agent Jock Langley of Abercromby Armadale told FEMAIL the home has attracted multiple bidders, both local and offshore, and expects the price list to be met.
“As you can imagine, with the construction costs combined with the excellent location, you will always have an interest in houses like this,” he said.