Flexible factory living in Fitzroy North

44 McKean Street, Fitzroy North
$2.2-$2.4 million
3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car spaces
Auction at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 24
Inspect on Saturday from 12.15pm-12.45pm
Nelson Alexander 9347 4322, James Pilliner 0405 106 421

McKean Street is such a rarefied and gentrified street in Fitzroy North it is now almost impossible to imagine that it once had anything as prosaic as a shoe factory within its midst.

Now one of the most expensive and soughtstreets in the inner north, its Victorian houses sell in the multimillions, thanks to a position near the Edinburgh Gardens, Brunswick Street and Queens Parade shops.  

Lynnley Terrace, at the Edinburgh Gardens end, was built as a shoe factory in 1912 and continued producing footwear, via a variety of owners, until the 1990s. In 1999, it was converted to nine residential warehouse “shells”, with 44 McKean Street one of the largest and retaining its own street address.

At about 230 square metres over three levels, it offers lots of flexibility.

Entry into the complex is via a driveway – and then this unit is to the right. A garage is contained by a semi-open metal gate which essentially becomes a walkway to an entrance door into the large foyer where stairs to the upper levels and a door to the ground-level rooms open.

Or, alternatively, entry can be via a large courtyard enclosed by a brick wall which could also be an off-street parking space as it has double gates and a driveway from McKean Street. This is the kind of flexibility you get with a huge, reworked factory.

The ground level is about 80 square metres and could be an independent apartment or a studio. It has a huge angle-walled living area with a kitchenette in one corner, a small en suite and a bedroom with windows overlooking McKean Street.

Up on the first floor, accessed via timber stairs from the main foyer, is the main living area. A spacious and well-equipped kitchen is at the heart of this huge space. It has granite benchtops, plenty of cupboards and a large freestanding stove. The kitchen adjoins the formal living areas.

There is a large bedroom on this level and it, like many of the rooms, has exposed brick walls and large windows.

Up another level is what amounts to an adults’ retreat – with a main bedroom, an en suite with an elevated bath, a wall of built-in wardrobes and a separate sitting area (with bar) which has a void above the level below and access to a large terrace overlooking the rooftops.

This large residence has enough of the past to retain interest but the fitout and comfort levels are modern with plenty of heating, double glazing, ample storage and a timeless style.

Room for improvement: Nothing in terms of space but some buyers might like to redecorate.

Need to know: Highest priced townhouse (past 12 months) was $1.2 million for 12/14-20 Best Street, in December 2015. Recent sales: $730,000 for 1/582-586 Nicholson Street, in August 2016; $1,135,000 for 1/88 Queens Parade, in July 2016, and $915,000 for 27/9-19 Miller Street, in June 2016.