Blast from the past in Hampton with this carefully maintained 1970s townhouse

1/33 Holyrood Street, Hampton
$1-$1.1 million
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces
Auction at 10.30am, on Saturday
Inspect at 10am 
Buxton 9598 8222, Andrew Campbell 0419 366 545

Everything comes back into fashion – which is why agents advise buyers to resist the urge to render, renovate or remove all the period quirks from 1950s, ’60s and ’70s properties.  

Here, this large 1970s townhouse is essentially untouched since it was built but has been beautifully and carefully maintained by its devoted owner.

Not everyone is a fan of 1970s style but on the day I inspected this townhouse there were young buyers all over it, enjoying both the space and the blast from the past.

Set behind a high fence, there’s a large front garden and central path to the front door and the classic brown brick and angled shapes of the era. Inside, the entrance hall is flanked by the main bedroom, with en suite and walk-in wardrobe, to the left and the main living area on the right.

Both rooms retain their original look: tile-topped timber cabinets, the sloping timber-lined ceilings, angled high windows, 1970s light fittings and what looks like original Berber carpet.

The living room is nearly a square, with doors opening to the back courtyard. It could be extended across what is the carport space to the garage.

Further down the hallway, a small family room opens to the left. This is a charming spot with doors opening to a semi-enclosed terrace. It, naturally, has all the sloping ceilings and ’70s light fittings any buyer could wish for.

Beyond here is the kitchen and dining room: the kitchen is a period gem with rust-red benchtops and toning tiles on the floors and splashback, plenty of timber cabinets and what looks like the original stove. The breakfast bar overlooks the dining area, which opens to the large, tiled courtyard.

There is room here to rework things inside and out to create a larger more inviting space. The 1970s laundry is huge by today’s standards and, with a bit of reworking to the bathroom and separate toilet next door, a Euro laundry could be fitted. Outside, the brick-paved courtyard is huge but could be refashioned with a deck, rather than the existing steps.

The back two bedrooms are both charming: one has a built-in desk with a very 1970s yellow top and this room overlooks the family room’s courtyard. The other bedroom is an irregular shape with both a window and skylight. They share the large, pretty original bathroom.

Across the courtyard is the single garage, with entry from the courtyard.

House size, with plenty of room to update sensitively, this is a great option for a young family or retirees who want a single-level property within walking distance of the beach, train and shops. And a 1970s townhouse is an option significantly below Hampton’s $1,555,000 median house price.

Room for improvement: Ready for a gentle update without losing the “groovy baby” roots.

Need to know: Last traded for $138,000 in March 1984. Highest priced townhouse or villa unit (past 12 months) was $2.04 million for 8b Gillies Street, in July 2016. Recent sales: $1.1 million for 2/95 Thomas Street, in September 2016; $1,375,000 for 146b Ludstone Street, in September 2016, and $1.14 million for 3/22 Holyrood Street, in July 2016.