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The right brick made all the difference in this house was designed by architect Mark Szczerbicki Picture: Tom Ferguson

There’s not a lot at first glance that makes this house stand out from its neighbours. That’s just how architect Mark Szczerbicki likes it.

When the owners of this house in Russell Lea realised their existing cottage did not have the structural integrity to carry a first floor addition, they were looking for a way to keep the best of the old house but create something new.

The house was approved under Complying Development legislation, which required the upper floor to be setback from the lower floor. Picture: Tom Ferguson

Mark says he wanted to design a house that would still look like it belonged in the neighbourhood.

“Often the brick cottages in this area get demolished and a massive facade goes up,” Mark says. “They look completely alien compared to the cottages on either side.”

With good parks and the Bay Run nearby, the owners were happy to lose much of their backyard to allow for the two-storey, three-bedroom floorplan.

A skylight along the side of the house draws light into the ground floor living space. Picture: Tom Ferguson

“The backyard is smaller than what we would usually do but it was about maximising the area for the alfresco area and the plunge pool as well as the balcony to the front with its views of the city,” Mark says.

The design was approved as a Complying Development, which meant the upper floor had to be set back from the ground level.

The floorplan works well for the family. Picture: Tom Ferguson

Mark used the boundary setback to install a long skylight in the living area to let light in. The back garden faces west, but Mark says the site had a lot going for it.

“We knew from the owners that the house had good breezes from the east so that they barely use the airconditioning,” he says. “The living spaces face north to the side and the windows are double glazed to the south.”

The owner wanted to enjoy his vintage car even when not driving it, so a viewing window was added in the garage. Picture: Tom Ferguson

Mark says the owners were keen to install solar panels for electricity but underfloor hydronic heating keeps the house warm through winter.

“Underfloor heating is so much more efficient because the heat rises gently. These guys walk around barefoot all year,” he says.

Hydronic heating on the ground floor keeps the house comfortable in winter. Picture: Tom Ferguson

To tie it into the street, the house has a similar setback to its neighbours. Mark also chose similar bricks to those used in the neighbouring houses and opted for a similar brick fence.

Landscaping by Melissa Wilson at the back, the front and inside the house beds it into the site.

Landscape architect Melissa Wilson specified planting inside as well as outside the house. Picture: Tom Ferguson

While the house is a ‘good neighbour’ in so many ways, Mark says the owner did have one unusual request. He wanted to be able to enjoy his vintage sports car, even when it was parked in the garage.

The design includes a viewing window into the garage, which reveals a stacked car system, allowing parking for four cars on a two-car footprint.

The layout is simple with clean lines but works well for the family of four. Picture: Tom Ferguson

THE PROJECT

Owners: A couple with two children

Architect: Mark Szczerbicki Design Studio, markszczerbicki.com

The brief: To replace an old cottage with a modern family home that still felt like it belonged in the neighbourhood

The site: A suburban block in Russell Lea with a west-facing backyard

Design solution: To build a two-storey home using similar materials to the rest of the street and maintaining similar setbacks to the neighbouring houses

How long did it take: 10 months

THE SOURCE

Builder Ferrocon, ferrocon.com.au; Landscape architect Melissa Wilson, melisssawilson.com.au; Kitchen joinery New Age Kitchens 0414 244 346; Face brickwork Austral Bricks ‘Bowral 76’ in Renovation Gertrudis Brown colour, australbricks.com.au

The post Why a vintage car was the driving force in this new inner west house design appeared first on realestate.com.au.

8 Elizabeth St, Flying Fish Point is listed with RE/MAX agent Daniel Arnott

WITH endless and open beach views, this “hidden gem” encapsulates the popular Far Northern expression – where the rainforest meets the Reef.

Through the front door of 8 Elizabeth St, Flying Fish Point, is the edge of the rainforest and at the rear, the backyard turf shares grains of sand with the beach. The three-bedroom beach house is described as a “slice of paradise” by RE/MAX selling agent Daniel Arnott.

“I didn’t even know this place existed – it’s one of Far North Queensland’s best-kept secrets,” he said.

The backyard turf meets the beach at 8 Elizabeth St, Flying Fish Point.

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“It’s got basically its own private beach.

“If you wanted to, you’d be able to fish from your bed, that’s how close you are to the beach.

“From your kitchen it would take you about 10 seconds to have sand on your feet.”

He said the property’s location wasn’t all about the beach, with the short 10-minute drive to Innisfail making it a suitable home for a wide range of buyers.

8 Elizabeth St, Flying Fish Point is only 10 minutes from Innisfail.

“It’s complemented by the art-deco village of Innisfail, which has everything you need just 10 minutes away. But then when you’re back at this house it feels like you’re a million miles away from everything.

“It’s a quiet neighbourhood, the beach is pristine and I saw some dolphins the last morning I was there. It’s probably a location not many have considered and not many have heard of.”

Mr Arnott said when holiday-makers or visitors to the area did stumble across the property, they would begin making offers.

“People have knocked on the door and said would you let us rent it out for the holidays.

“It’s never been holiday let, but they’ve been offered $3000 a week.”

8 Elizabeth St, Flying Fish Point is listed with RE/MAX agent Daniel Arnott

And their reasoning for the generous offers could be due to any number of features this tidy, renovated property packs.

“It’s a well-kept beach home with original features,” Mr Arnott said.

“They’ve just put a large deck out the back, which has water views as far as the eye can see.

“There’s a large main living area which flows on to the deck. It’s also got a separate living area as well, at the front of the property if you wanted to breakaway and just entertain.”

He said the “very open” home enjoyed sea breezes as well as plenty of natural light to highlight the rare black bean timber floors.

The large deck at 8 Elizabeth St, Flying Fish Point has endless beach views.

However, he said, one of the true retreats in the home was the master bedroom.

“They’re all good-sized bedrooms with plenty of natural light but you just get really beautiful views from the master bedroom.”

Nearby is a school, a park and a licensed cafe all within walking distance, but a major drawcard is access to the reefs via the Flying Fish Point boat ramp, just one minute away.

“The property has onsite parking for your boat,” Mr Arnott said.

“It’s fully fenced and gated so if you did use it as a holiday home, you could keep all your toys secured onsite. We’ve fielded a lot of inquiry from Melbourne. People simply wanting a change and they’re wanting to move there. Others have wanted it as holiday house.

“No price on it yet, the owner is seeking expressions of interest for now.”

The post Strangers come knocking at the door when they finally see this hidden gem appeared first on realestate.com.au.

CAIRNS’ central suburbs have been dethroned as the kings of rental returns with a northern beaches suburb yielding double figures, according to the latest realestate.com.au data.

Units at Holloways Beach reported a 10.75 per cent yield in the past 12 months, collecting $310 rent on average.

Grant Doolan and his partner Caitlin Dale outside their McManus St property in Whitfield that they have listed for sale. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

Usual frontrunners Woree and Manoora, which were among the nation’s best last year, were second and third in Cairns, returning at 9.86 and 9.54 per cent respectively.

Ray White Cairns Beaches business development officer Nicole Barry said the leading suburb offered a beach lifestyle with city proximity, and fell in the Cairns State High School catchment zone.

“Holloways and even Yorkeys Knob are sitting just above 1 per cent vacancy,” she said. “Units are sometimes renting before they even go on the market.”

For owner-occupiers, Earlville recorded the highest capital growth of suburbs that sold a minimum of 30 houses with a 27.7 per cent rise.

Whitfield, a well sought-after suburb, experienced a -5.8 per cent median price change.

But that hasn’t worried McManus Street residents Grant Doolan and Caitlin Dale, who bought their house three years ago in the $300,000 range and have confidently listed for offers in the $500,000s.

Check out today’s real estate liftout

RENTAL YIELDS

Cairns always performed strongly in rental returns. This is how it compared to other cities in the past 12 months.

Cairns…………………………..7.4%

Townsville…………………7.09%

Brisbane……………………..5.14%

The post New king: A surprise suburb has taken top spot for best rent returns in Cairns appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Mediterranean-style mansion 1525 Riverdale Dr, Hope Island.

When the masterpiece known as Harbour Point first emerged on a stunning peninsula site in the exclusive Hope Island Resort, it was grand in every way.

Occupying almost 5000 sqm across 11 titles at 1525 Riverdale Dr, the 1800 sqm trophy mansion boasted the largest residential presence within the Rosebank Gardens Estate.

The main living room is bordered by gilt columns.

A superyacht named Big Boss was moored on the deepwater harbour at the back while a limousine deposited residents and guests at an imposing front foyer.

Double doors opened to reveal towering gilt columns, decorative dome ceilings and a sweeping ornate staircase inspired by Mediterranean architecture of the time.

“You know you’re walking into something special,” said agent Mark Carew, who recalls the days when the house was first completed 16 years ago.

“There was a full-time gardener, cleaners and cooks, the entire place was immaculate.”

A sweeping staircase provides an invitation to explore the upper level.

Currently unoccupied, the gates have been opened for the first time in the property’s 18-year history before the Chinese owners offer it up for auction next weekend.

More than 100 hundred people turned out for the first open inspection, with many returning the following weekend to take it all in.

“It’s a bit like going to a theme park, you can’t see it all in one day,” Mr Carew quipped.

“It’s generated a lot of interest as you can’t see the house from the street, it’s so private.”

The point position affords sweeping views over Grand Canal.

Beyond the boundary of trees and water lies a tennis court, manicured gardens and central resort-style pool where cocktail parties were once the norm.

Chefs were also kept busy inside the commercial kitchen while a wet bar off the grand living room, a wine cellar and Hollywood cinema made entertaining easy.

A maroon colour theme adds a touch of olde worlde glamour to the Hollywood cinema.

But for a house with so much space, it may come as a surprise to learn there are only four bedrooms and one living room.

“There is plenty of potential to redesign or renovate the home to suit your own needs,” Mr Crew said.

“The tennis court could easily be converted to a 12-car basement garage or you could utilise the existing set up for weddings or functions.”

The resort-style pool is a central feature of the property.

That capacity will be tested next weekend when up to 300 people are expected to attend the auction which could see a new Hope Island record if sold under the hammer.

“It will be one of the biggest auctions on the Gold Coast this year,” Mr Carew said.

There’s a lot to take in for prospective buyers.

The property is open for inspections Saturday and Sunday from noon until 1pm ahead of the auction on Saturday August 8 at 1.30pm.

Mark Carew is leading the campaign alongside Nikki Dunlop of Professionals Vertullo Real Estate.

The post ‘Like a theme park’: Inside mega trophy mansion appeared first on realestate.com.au.

2A Martin St, Freshwater is a classic Queenslander which has been recently renovated to restore the home to it’s original glory. It was also one the first houses to be built in the suburb and is now listed with Champions in Real Estate.

THE owners of this classic Queenslander will certainly be holding back the tears when the home they fell in love with during a holiday eventually changes hands.

Chenoa and Chris Daniel have called 2A Martin St, Freshwater, home for the past five years and two years ago expanded their family to include their first son, Nash, at the three-bedroom home.

2A Martin St, Freshwater is a classic Queenslander which has been recently renovated to restore the home to it’s original glory. It was also one the first houses to be built in the suburb and is now listed with Champions in Real Estate.

They purchased the property as soon as it hit the market five years ago, but the Victorian couple had their eyes on it for much longer.

“We were up here visiting some friends, just down the road many years ago,” Ms Daniel said.

“Straight away we knew we wanted this house … it wasn’t even on the market then.”

The hotel broker and her partner have always loved Queenslanders and after work lured her to the Far North, she was able to purchase a “home full of character”.

“I’ve never been into newer standard homes … (I like) something that has a bit of a soul and some history.”

Now the Daniel family are gearing up to move to the Sunshine Coast, after recently completing a number of renovations throughout the home.

“We didn’t want to or need to do anything major, but we just wanted to fix up a few things to restore the house to its heritage look with some modern features.

2A Martin St, Freshwater is a classic Queenslander which has been recently renovated to restore the home to it’s original glory. It was also one the first houses to be built in the suburb and is now listed with Champions in Real Estate.

“It’s been an amazing learning process as well because as we’ve done the renovations and put in wardrobes, we thought ‘where did people hang all their clothes back in the day’.

“The two bathrooms are side-by-side and that’s because one of them was an ironing room. So people actually had a whole room for that.”

The freshly painted house features a traditional floor plan with striking high ceilings, timber floors, and iconic casement windows.

There are dual, open living areas and the main bathroom includes a freestanding claw-footed bathtub and separate shower.

The fully fenced 614sq m property also features a wraparound veranda with views out to the nearby cane fields.

This property is listed with Champions In Real Estate in the mid $400,000s.

The post Renovation works on this Queenslander doubled as history lessons for owners appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Winter could well be the new spring on the Gold Coast as a buzz of buyer activity and a surge in new listings suggest the pandemic has thrown the traditional property seasons out of whack.

A report by CoreLogic shows the number of newly advertised properties for sale across the Gold Coast region increased by 6.4 per cent over the month of June, up 34 per cent from an April low.

“The rise in new listing numbers is an indication that homeowner confidence has improved enough that more vendors are willing to test the market,” the report states.

Sydney resident Gary Hahn is selling his Benowa Waters holiday home. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Sydney resients Gary and Julie Hahn, who are preparing to put their beloved Benowa Waters holiday home to auction next month after 18 years, felt confident going to market.

“I’ve bought a few properties over the years and I don’t think there’s a good or bad time to sell,” Mr Hahn said.

“If you’ve got something presentable and somebody wants it, it doesn’t matter when you’re selling.”

108 Cabana Boulevard, Benowa Waters has been with the Hahn family for 18 years.

Harcourts Coastal director Dane Atherton said the high level of buyer activity made winter an even better time to sell this year.

“The pandemic has certainly thrown the traditional seasonal periods out of whack,” he said.

“Winter on the Gold Coast is always the best time to sell because the contrast in weather is the greatest for our southern buyers which makes it even more attractive.

“Our sales volumes in April, May and June have been at spring levels — we finished $30 million up in June on written business.”

While new listing numbers have surged, total listings have held reasonably firm, implying a strong rate of absorption as buyer demand picks up more quickly than fresh stock being added to the market.

The strong rate of absorption is likely one of the factors supporting housing values across the Gold Coast. According to the CoreLogic home value index, Gold Coast dwelling values were steady in June and rose by 0.7 per cent over the quarter.

With the border now open to NSW buyers and locked down Victorians make plans to relocate, sellers are in a good position, added Mr Atherton.

“What’s happening in Victoria has further fuelled inquiry in our market as people have had enough and just want to get out there,” he said.

The post Is winter the best season to list on the Gold Coast this year? appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Hot property – 16 Harnett Ave, Mosman.

When the owner of this stunning Mosman home first saw it a was on the market a few years ago up he was intrigued enough to want to take a look.

And who better than to show him through 16 Harnett Ave, than its original owner, long-term Mosman local and well-known architect David Boddam-Whetham.

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Other owners had added their touches to the grand triple brick and concrete home over the years, and Mr Boddam-Whetham was only too delighted to show the prospective buyer through.

“We (his wife, also an architect) and I built it ourselves in the 1980s,” Mr Boddam-Whetham said

“It was a labour of love and it’s lovely to see it’s still being appreciated.”

Photographs alone don’t do the home justice – especially come dusk when you are sitting on the rooftop terrace looking out over the treetops views above Mosman Bay.

This substantial home is so tucked into the trees, and with neighbours on only one side, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the middle of nowhere.

The rooftop terrace.

Timeless beauty.

The current owner has invested in a spectacular series of lights that are neatly nestled into the trees, adding to the night time spectacle.

In reality you are in secluded privacy, only metres from shores of Mosman Bay, adjacent to Reid Park and a short walk from the Mosman Bay ferry. The Avenue Road shops and cafes are close by, and Mosman Village is within easy reach.

Inside, the home is a contemporary work of art with a vast floorplan that offers a range of formal and casual living and dining spaces, inside and out.

The wine cellar.

Formal dining.

Light and fresh air are in abundance thanks to the two rows of glass that run across the length of the house on two sides of the rooftop.

The private rooftop terrace has a wet bar and barbecue area – a perfect place for relaxing or entertaining.

Easy living.

Formal living.

Other features include an integrated wine cellar, full alarm system, double garage with internal access and separate lower level self-contained suite.

The property is due to go to auction on August 6, with a price guide of $3,700,000 to $3,900,000.

For more information contact Bernard Ryan, or Benoit Guittoneau, Ray White Lower North Shore.

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