Locals call this Northcote property the 'circus house' thanks to its striking design

Pauline Heslop and her late husband once lived among the gum trees in Templestowe in a sprawling family home surrounded by native gardens.

Built in the late 1960s, the house was designed to accommodate their busy family of seven. But as their grown children gradually settled across Melbourne, Pauline – then in her late 70s – decided it was time to move closer to the city.

True to form, she didn’t opt for a typical downsizer. Instead, she set out to create a home that reflected her creativity, independence and love of connection.

In 2007, she discovered a vacant block in Northcote next door to her daughter, Lesley, and her family. It felt like serendipity. What she imagined – at a time in life when many wind down – was not just a house but a fulfilling way of life: a place to host big family lunches, swim daily and be part of the city’s cultural rhythm.

Working with architect Simon Thornton and her builder nephew, Pauline helped shape the design. Her must-haves were simple yet meaningful – a long dining table for shared meals and a pool she could enjoy with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Simon drew on our family’s background – with our late dad and my brother both being engineers – as inspiration for the design,” says her daughter, Cathy Heslop, referring to the aqueduct-like form that runs diagonally across the property, producing an arched motif echoed both inside and out.

“Mum, being such a creative person herself, was thrilled by the innovative ideas Simon came up with. She loved the individuality of it all and the fact that this would be a truly unique building.”

Over the next decade, Pauline gathered friends and family around the table. She swam laps each morning in the pool beneath the timber-clad arches – whose curves and serenity evoked the atmosphere of Roman Baths – or sat with a book on the poolside deck.

“Mum celebrated her 80th birthday not long after moving in,” adds daughter Sally Heslop. “The house looked incredible – Mum’s granddaughter, who’s an event stylist, had decorated it beautifully with large balloons floating over the pool. It was such a joyful day and a memory we’ll always treasure.”

Pauline took great pride in her home, believing that good architecture could elevate everyday life, and this house is a testament to that.

In the main living area, a geometric mosaic-tiled fireplace makes a bold statement. Red paint peeks out from the kitchen ceiling and stairwell, while the bathroom is framed by striking blue borders. Every detail feels playful yet polished.

The main bedroom, with its en suite and dressing room, is a calming retreat, Sally says, adding that Pauline loved the shifting reflections of the pool across the metal canopies – another Romanesque embellishment.

At its heart, the home was a magnet for family. Everyone was welcome. Many would come and go, and some even stayed for extended periods.

“I’ve lived in Mum’s house twice with my husband John while we were renovating – once during the COVID lockdown,” Cathy says. “I loved working from the light-filled study nook with those beautiful arched windows letting in the northern sun. Even Darcy, our Irish wolfhound, made himself right at home.”

Pauline embraced her Northcote postcode. She shopped on Station Street and enjoyed meals at the local cafes and restaurants.

“Mum also loved catching the train with her son and grandkids to watch her beloved Bombers play at the nearby MCG,” Sally says. “She really embraced all that it had to offer, and she really loved her neighbourhood’s mix of community and creativity.”

Then, there were the neighbours. With her warm and outgoing nature, Pauline became a much-loved presence on the street. Children would pause to chat with her in the front garden – affectionately nicknaming the house, thanks to its eye-catching blue and pastel green striped “tents”, the “circus house.” The name has stuck ever since.

Now in aged care, Pauline is no longer able to live independently so the family has made the difficult decision to put the home up for sale.

“It’s a heart-wrenching decision,” her daughters say. “But this house has given our family so many beautiful memories. We hope the next owners feel what Mum felt here – love, creativity and so much joy.”

$1,750,000.00 - $1,900,000.00

5 Atkinson Street, Northcote VIC 3070

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