The Art Deco Birtley Towers was built during the Depression in 1934.
When Rodney Hinde and John-Eric Xavier walked into a top-floor apartment in the Elizabeth Bay block Birtley Towers for the first time five years ago, they immediately saw its potential.
“We felt the magic,” says Hinde.
“My favourite thing was the dining room — it jumps out like a little belvedere … I have an antique dining table that I’ve been taking with me for 20 years and I thought it’s going to look great in here.”
They bought the 75sq m apartment at 86/8 Birtley Place on the eighth floor for $1,015,000 but have since transformed it. And because of their contacts and expertise, they estimate it cost just $100,000, with an extra $20,000 for the furniture.
Apart from the charm of the Art Deco apartment in the block that was built during the Depression in 1934 and designed by Emil Sodersten, the architect behind the Australian War Memorial and Colonial Mutual building, it was the incredible harbour views.
It’s now hit the market with Richardson & Wrench Elizabeth Bay’s Penny Timothy and Greg McKinley with a $1.69m guide ahead of a September 3 auction.
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BEFORE: The view from the lounge to the dining room.
AFTER: Shades of grey, french doors, new lighting and stylish furnishings and artwork add sophistication.
“It’s unrecognisable from the apartment they bought,” says Timothy. “They’ve done such an incredible job.”
Indeed, friends and others who lived in Birtley Towers were so impressed with the restoration that Hinde and Xavier were called on to redecorate several other apartments and their interior design business, Xavier Hinde Interiors, was born.
Says Hinde: “Our apartment was our first project together and literally our business started because everyone said this is amazing, so we thought let’s give this a go.”
The before and after photos reveal the extent of the changes.
BEFORE: The lounge has very little charm here.
AFTER: Now it’s a beautiful space.
The main differences — apart from the more appropriate furniture for the space — are the darkened floorboards and the introduction of timber panelling, which enhances the heritage as well as creating the illusion of higher ceilings.
Then there’s the colour palette: the grey tones create a sophisticated look and also make the space look bigger.
The single colour from the skirting to the cornice also create the illusion of taller walls and soaring ceilings.
Says Hinde: “The dark ceiling makes the ceiling feel higher — everybody does white ceilings, but dark ceilings actually recede.”
BEFORE: The dining room as it looked in 2015.
AFTER: The antique table, drapes and colour palette makes the dining room look very classy.
The curtains add not only glamour, but also provide a strong vertical which, again, make the ceilings seem higher.
And the mirrored wardrobe completely changes the main bedroom. “It’s probably the cleverest solution for the apartment,” says Hinde.
“In the study, we ripped out the daggy joinery, mirrored the wall and just furnished the room so it felt like a mini gentleman’s study and not such a purely functional home office.”
Adding to the appeal of the apartment are the famous arches windows, which are unique to level eight; the herringbone parquetry floors, European wall sconces and lighting and French doors with brass door hardware.
BEFORE: The master bedroom was functional but the joinery wasn’t appropriate for the Art Deco apartment.
AFTER: The new decor and mirrored wardrobe has transformed it.
The kitchen has a Miele built-in coffee machine, oven, gas cooktop and dishwasher, with Corian benchtops and plenty of storage.
And the large marble bathroom has a full bath and underfloor heating.
The couple consider the fact it’s restricted company title — meaning the apartments in the block can’t be rented out — rather than strata title as a bonus.
“There is something wonderful about it,” says Hinde.
“Everyone has been here for a long time and the residents take pride in the building, looking after their neighbours and respecting their privacy.”
BEFORE: The study looks a little plain painted white.
AFTER: The new paint job, curtains and improved joinery make all the difference.
As for Hinde and Xavier, they’re on the lookout for their next project.
“We can’t help feel like we want to do it all again, but perhaps something slightly different next time — maybe a 1910 building or something built in the 1940s.”
But they’re keen to stay in the same neighbourhood.
“We think that Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay are the best suburbs in Australia — everything is so available there and there’s a good mix of people,” he said.
“And you’re so close to the city.”
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