Our round-up of the top properties for sale this week.
- Mike Cannon-Brooks buys $7 million villa in Double Bay
- Russell Crowe sells Sydney warehouse for more than $17 million
- Wenlei Song emerges as buyer of Neville Crichton’s trophy home
The Paddington terrace of Juicy Design’s director Tom Williams and his wife Belinda hits the market this week with a highly engineered, cutting-edge interior that shows we must be getting close to peak design now.
All that remains of the Victorian terrace is the facade and one side wall, which is nothing new, but what is interesting is the internal configuration.
It was council refusal to allow a glass rear facade that prompted architect Steve Koolloos, of MCK Architects, to rethink his design and come up with something completely new in order to flood the internal living areas of this terrace with light.
Adding to the design brief issues was a three-storey high gum tree in the backyard that was untouchable, and new council rules that only allows for a single garage door to the laneway despite there being space for a double garage.
The result should be patented.
Instead of the original hopes for a double-glazed glass rear facade, it now features a two-storey high corten steel privacy screen, which hides a glass void behind it that floods the internal living area and a mezzanine study with light.
Whitewashed Oregan panelled walls act as a feature wall to both levels, and are reflected in the bespoke cabinetry and floors.
The north-facing rear living room overlooks a glass-fronted plunge pool, the granny flat above the garage and the gum tree, but in order to make way for the tree’s bulging root system the polished concrete floor is cantilevered above it.
When the Williams’ purchased the property in 2013 for $2.8 million it came with a breezeway on title. But rather than extend the internal footprint to include it in the internal living space, the side walkway has instead been glassed over to create a light well accessed by windows to every room of the house.
Then there’s the garage. What appears to be a single garage door with side fencing from the lane way is fully automated to allow the fencing and garage door to slide back, revealing a double garage. Remove one car and the floor is also automated to reveal a third car space and storage.
As Ben Collier, of The Agency, mulls a guide of more than $6.5 million, Williams is already drawing up plans for the knock-down-rebuild he bought overlooking Bronte beach this year for $5.45 million.
The Agency at 84 Paddington Street. Photo: Justin Alexander
The Agency at 84 Paddington Street Photo: Justin Alexander
The Agency at 84 Paddington Street Photo: Justin Alexander
The Agency at 84 Paddington Street Photo: Justin Alexander
The Agency at 84 Paddington Street Photo: Justin Alexander