Sydney is fortunate to have retained a decent collection of art deco architecture but most of it is concentrated in the eastern suburbs, with a smattering around Manly in the north and Brighton-Le-Sands in the south.
So to find this heritage-listed example in Balmain is something of a rarity, the more so because it’s art deco in the P&O style. Built in the golden age of the ocean liner – the period between the end of the 19th century and the start of WWII – the home showcases the curved walls and windows, and the white rendered brickwork contrasted with bands of blue typical of the P&O style, intended to echo the elegance of ships such as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.
For the artistically inclined owners, it was love at first sight for what was, in the 1980s, a neglected, single-storey home. In the 1990s they collaborated with architect Michael Berney to add a second storey so sympathetic in style, most visitors don’t realise it’s not part of the original build.
All aboard: 40 Rowntree St, Balmain is a rare example of nautically inspired art deco architecture in Balmain. Photo: Supplied.
They have also created inviting front and back gardens with a liberal dose of palms, crazy sandstone paving, white pebbles and a water feature.
The adjoining living and dining rooms are the highlight of the ground floor, with a trio of tall windows, a fireplace and original timber floorboards. There is plenty of wall space to hang art and a servery hatch between the dining room and kitchen.
We love the light, the aesthetics, the size of the rooms and all the beautiful walks you can do in the area.Owner
The front bedroom also features curved glass windows with a curved built-in desk and shelving unit underneath installed by a Norwegian cabinet maker. There are two more bedrooms on this level plus a 1970s bathroom with separate toilet.
The Balmain property has five spacious bedrooms. Photo: Supplied.
The gas and laminate kitchen, which comes with a generous walk-in pantry, also dates back to the 1970s. There are DA-approved plans to extend and update it, taking advantage of the large pantry space and a dated separate laundry.
A spiral staircase leads up to the second floor where a large, light-filled second living area provides access to two more bedrooms, each with its own rounded balcony. There’s another bathroom up here and an open study.
The side drive leads to a studio with a loft bedroom. The new owners might like to install a bathroom, borrowing space from the large store room at the back of the studio.
Each upstairs bedroom has its own balcony. Photo: Supplied.
The owner says: “We love the light, the aesthetics, the size of the rooms and all the beautiful walks you can do in the area.”
Room for improvement: Use the DA-approved plans to give the kitchen a much-needed makeover.
Balmain
40 Rowntree Street
$3.5 million
5 bed 2 bath 2 car
Built 1930s; renovated 1995
Land 463 square metres
Inspect Sat, 1pm-1.30pm; Wed, 5pm-5.30pm
Auction November 24
Agent Cobden & Hayson Annandale, 0411 296 796
See more here.
Need to know:
A trio of tall windows and fireplace are a highlight of the ground floor. Photo: Supplied.
Last traded for $120,000 in 1987.
Highest recorded house price in Balmain (past 12 months): $4.55 million for 96 Elliott Street in May, 2016. The median price for houses is $1,716,500.
Recent sales:
$3.4 million for 12 Llewellyn Street in June, 2016
$3.5 million for 52 Elliott Street in November, 2015
$3,655,000 for 8 Broderick Street in November, 2015
Source: Domain Group, 1800 817 616
Surrounding area:
There are markets on the weekends, live music in the pubs, walking and cycling tracks direct to the city, Darling Street wining and dining and a lesson in Sydney’s architectural history all wrapped into one enduringly popular peninsula. Balmain remains a firm favourite with white-collar city workers, young families and retirees, and you’ll still find an artistic crowd, despite the ever-increasing real estate prices.
Serviced by bus (20 minutes to the city) and ferry (a 10-minute ferry ride to Circular Quay from Balmain Wharf), Balmain is only four kilometres west of the CBD. Nearby Birkenhead Point extends the shopping options and the Bay Run caters for fitness enthusiasts.
[Source:-Domain]
