Marrying the old and the new in Richmond

5a Waltham Place, Richmond
$1.8 million
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces
Auction at 2.30pm, on August 20
Inspect from 3.45pm-4.15pm on Saturday
Marshall White 9822 9999, Stuart Evans 0402 067 710

Richmond is known for its historic cottages and grand mansions but a new townhouse in quaint Waltham Place cleverly juxtaposes the new with the old.

The townhouse is one of six in a row on the northern side and they sit opposite a row of 19th-century terraces.

The facades of the six townhouses vary slightly; some have metal exterior screens as a feature; at 5a the exterior is dramatic timber panelling. The timber includes the double garage door, the exterior facade and what, later inside and upstairs, is revealed to be slatted screening on the balcony opening from the main bedroom.

Entry is into a large tiled hall, which is made private by another sliding door shielding eyes from the hall beyond. Once inside, there’s a large powder room under the stairs and then to the right is a hall leading to the open-plan family-dining room.

This well-designed space has the bonus of light on two sides, from the wall of glass overlooking the north-facing backyard and from another large window that overlooks a large courtyard behind the garage. This interior courtyard also opens via sliding doors in the hall.

This main living area has spotted gum timber floors, white walls, a gas fireplace and sliding doors to the north-facing back garden. Here there is a large raised deck with a decidedly fancy outdoor kitchen, with marble benchtops and plenty of storage.

The indoor kitchen is similarly well finished with a marble-topped island breakfast bar, plenty of storage and a walk-in pantry. A large laundry completes this downstairs area.

Up the timber stairs, the first floor has four bedrooms. The main is huge, with a walk-in wardrobe, en suite with double vanity, a study nook and sliding doors to the balcony. A feature wall of flamingo-flocked wallpaper is a pleasant surprise.

At the far end of the house are three of the bedrooms and a large bathroom. Two of the bedrooms share a north-facing balcony and the other overlooks the internal courtyard below. All are light.

If a family bought this property, they might welcome a second living area and the larger of the children’s bedrooms, at just over 16 square metres, would be suitable for conversion.

The family bathroom is a delight with pearlescent tiles and a huge bath.

Up another set of stairs, there is a great rooftop terrace, with decking and a paling fence; this adds to entertaining space but could also be a children’s play area.

New, sparkling, well thought out – this is modern Richmond but in touch with the neighbour’s history.

Room for improvement: Some buyers might prefer a second living area upstairs for children. 

Need to know: Highest priced townhouse in Richmond (past 12 months) was $2,663,000 for 1/26 Abinger Street, in September 2015. Recent sales: $1,185,000 for 29a Abinger Street, in July 2016; $1,395,000 for 18 Reeves Crescent, in July 2016, and $1,375,000 for 62 Regent Street, in July 2016.