On The Market

A Rare Mid-Century Gem Near Heide Is For Sale!

While architect Michael Heffernan was designing this double-storey home in the Melbourne suburb of Eaglemont in 1966, he was also attending artist salons in Montsalvat on the weekends. Trained by ex-Bauhaus professors and well-versed in the new wave theories practised by his mid-century contemporaries, this budding modernist architect probably didn’t realise how much this sprawling six bedroom house would be re-loved by generations to come!

Joceline Davies (of Mount Eagle General Store), her husband Jake and their young family are just the third owners of this legacy property. Having made a few cosmetic updates to cater for modern functionality, the family is now moving on to their next chapter, and the hillside house is looking for new custodians!

Written
by
Sasha Gattermayr
Supported by Nelson Alexander

The living room at 24 Castle Street opens onto the kitchen space, which in turn opens onto a paved alfresco dining zone. Photo – Axiom Photography.

The impressive Oregon timber beams can be seen throughout! Photo – Axiom Photography.

Cedar window furnishings and exposed timber beams display the mid-century credentials of the 1966 home. Photo – Axiom Photography.

The alfresco dining space is perfect for balmy summer evenings. Photo – Axiom Photography.

The kitchen has had some minor upgrades to accommodate for contemporary conveniences (hello pristine appliances!), and the second storey contains waxed timber floorboards throughout. Photo – Axiom Photography.

Situated on a hill, the views across the Yarra Parklands and lush surrounding streets are unparalleled! Photo – Axiom Photography.

The house is a freestanding, double storey brick residence. Photo – Axiom Photography.

Writer
Sasha Gattermayr
31st of July 2020

The suburb of Eaglemont in Melbourne’s north-east sits at the centre of the city’s bohemian history. With architecture steeped in mid-century tradition and located a stone’s throw from the Heide Museum of Modern Art (a hub for Australia’s early modernist painters!), the tightly held locale is rich with cultural esteem, and some seriously hot heritage property. 

So there will surely be fierce competition for this double storey, freestanding family home that just hit the market!

Designed by architect Michael Heffernan in 1966 in the style of Robin Boyd and Frank Lloyd Wright, this incredible brick home has only changed owners three times in its lifetime. Joceline of Mount Eagle General Store and her husband Jake bought the property for their young family in 2017, citing the distinct architectural features and ‘picturesque neighbourhood’ as the reasons for their purchase.

The house was inspired by Fritz Janeba’s iconic residential designs, dotted through neighbouring Warrandyte. Situated on an elevated corner site, the brick dwelling contains spectacular timber detailing in the form of vast Oregon beams and cedar windows. The ground floor contains a master suite, second bedroom and an open plan living-dining space, with bifold doors opening to a paved outdoor area and vibrant garden. The second storey houses a productive garden and four bedrooms, each with built-in robes and waxed timber floorboards throughout. With an attic, laundry, cellar and double car garage, there is no shortage of storage space. In addition to the established trees surrounding the house, the landscaped front garden flowers all year round!

Since acquiring the property three years ago, Joceline has made minor upgrades throughout, to suit contemporary living, but none impede on the panoramic treetop views afforded by the home’s hillside position. ‘Apart from watching the sunrise from the balcony, our family loves sitting around the huge open fireplace, collecting herbs from the garden and lying in bed watching the birds in the crepe myrtle trees,’ she says. There is even a pasture down the road where children pat the resident horses! 

To add another layer of exciting architectural history, the structural engineer for this home was Norman Mussen – who was working on the Sydney Opera House at the same time! A truly historic house, in more ways than one.

See the full listing for 24 Castle Street, Eaglemont here. The home is being sold by Liz Walker and James Labiris at Nelson Alexander by private sale. Expressions of interest close at 5pm on Tuesday 25th August.

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