73 Gold Street, Collingwood VIC 3066

This home has been a labour of love for us for the last 10 years. Built in early 1900s we were the first people to own it after the original family who built and lived in it through the years.

In renovation we were keen to maintain the original footprint while reconfiguring the internal space for enhanced flow and access. We created a number of flexible living spaces which have accommodated the changing needs of our young family over time perfectly.

The build included demolishing an old extension which had the laundry and bathroom positioned at the back of the house. We saved the beautiful red bricks from the original second chimney and spent hours chipping mortar off them to use for the extension to the exposed brick wall in the living space. The front room was the only space with heritage features, which we have retained – restoring cornices, ceiling rose and fireplace, and retiling the hearth.

The blackbutt floorboards in the rear of the house were found at a demolition yard in Port Melbourne which we cleaned up and de-nailed. A few years on we sourced the native hardwood boards for the front, to replace the original Baltic pine boards which were no longer viable. Timber for the sliding door in the living space was selected by us and made by a master craftsman, and custom joinery using recycled timber was built for the study and bathroom vanity benches. In the kitchen, concrete benchtops were framed up and poured onsite, ensuring a seamless finish.

In design it was important to us to maximise light as the original house had felt dark and closed in. Now, light floods the house creating a space that feels light and bright to live in. The early morning and twilight light in the house is particularly beautiful.

The house is comfortable year-round, complemented by the hydronic heating system, which produces a lovely radiant warmth. All windows are double glazed, with the exception of the original leadlight windows in the front room. Luxaflex double honeycomb blinds in the living and dining area provide added insulation, and the Daikin split system air conditioning unit keeps the house pleasant on very hot days.

We’ve loved developing the garden also and seeing the ficus grow from a few plants to the green wall it is now. The Magnolia Soulangeana tree in the front garden has a stunning deep pink bloom late winter. Later in spring the roses bloom in shades of peach, pink and white, along with the Christmas lilies. Out the back the lemon tree (and overhanging lime) are both prolific for fruit, and the garden is planted with a mix of native and introduced plants.

The area:

For an inner-city location, Gold Street is very quiet and peaceful. We love the access to city living and to outdoor options. Smith, Gertrude and Brunswick Streets are all in easy walking distance, as is Victoria Park and the Yarra trails for running and bike riding.

We’re at Darling and Edinburgh Gardens most weeks, both beautifully maintained parks and great for footy or climbing trees, and Collingwood and Fitzroy Leisure Centres are nearby for swimming.

When our kids were tiny we also spent many hours at the Gold St pocket park, a popular neighbourhood spot. Gold St Childrens Centre across the road is a brilliant council-run daycare and kinder that our kids attended, and primary school options include both Clifton Hill Primary School and Collingwood College.

Key features:

• Hydronic heating system for radiators and towel rails
• Daikin split-system air conditioning unit
• Solid timber double glazed windows
• Luxaflex double honeycomb thermal blinds, pump and remote controlled
• Solid hardwood recycled timber floorboards
• 12mm birch ply walls in living with hand-routered shadow lines
• In-built storage in retreat, master, laundry and kitchen
• Custom joinery including library shelves and desk in study, and bathroom vanity benches
• Handmade recycled timber sliding door
• Bespoke concrete benchtops in kitchen
• Quality tapware by Faucet Strommen
• Established garden of fruit trees, roses, native species and green wall.