North Melbourne: A homage to history with a focus on saving the future

North Melbourne‘s growing density contrasts its settlement, described as an accidental scattering of buildings on the edge of the city grid, featuring a cattle yard. That was the 1840s and 30 years later, a grand town hall with a five-storey clock tower stamped the site with civic pride. The hands of time morphed the surrounding streets from sunless slums into straight-lined tidy terraces. The suburb found its feet and a footy club, always barracking to keep its history.

Errol Street could be a film set, such is the preservation of original shops where a surviving cobblery conjures what went before. It’s alive with cultural artefacts such as the cast-iron kangaroo drinking fountain, a parting gift to the area from a proud mayor.

The Auction Rooms cafe is a typically successful reinvention. It’s now a thriving mix of coffee aromas, rustic chic and an environmental ethos, true to the mostly green voting population. Food waste is composted and the menu is seasonally sourced from growers practicing sustainable farming.

Toy shop Stranger than Paradise stocks vintage tin toys among its always-original stock. This is an establishment that seems allergic to the generic. Preserving old stories is a shared hobby at The Hotham Project where books are dedicated to the local past.

Real estate agency WB Simpson and Son is now in its fifth generation of property dealings, having started out in 1872 collecting rents and debts.

Owner Darrell Simpson reports the latest population change from migrant workers to young professionals and those working at hospitals. Students at nearby universities comprise a high proportion of renters.

“It’s very mixed,” he says. “There’s a lot of old Victorian houses which are very highly sought after, especially on Hotham Hill. Lower down, there’s a mix of modern apartments and older buildings.”

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In Queensberry Street, North Melbourne Books defies new trends, profiting from almost endangered real-life page-turners. Owner Chris Saliba moved to North Melbourne 25 years ago when he was a tram conductor, and observes better shop occupancy now, along with a rise in apartments.

“I loved the feel of a tucked away suburb. I’ve been here ever since,” he says. “The people are educated.”

He doesn’t own a car, noting bike tracks and lights as a key local improvement.

North Melbourne has retained its good bones and soul with careful re-purposing. North, south, east or west, it’s a homage to history, with a focus on saving the future.

60 Arden Street

Photo: Jellis Craig

$1.4 million-$1.5 million
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car space

This Victorian terrace with high rosetted ceilings and open fireplaces has been family owned for 70 years. It features four bedrooms, a study and a concreted basement which could be used as a cellar. There’s also a courtyard with potential for off-street parking. This north-facing gem is close to Errol Street, Queen Vic markets and is zoned for University High.

Auction: 2pm, August 12
Agent: Jellis Craig, Trevor Gange 0499 332 211

19/49 Haines Street

Photo: Urban Angles

$500,000-$550,000
2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 car space

Elevated living on the edge of the city awaits the buyer of this unit. It was refurbished this year, with oak flooring and an updated bathroom. A separately zoned kitchen has timber benches and soft closing cabinetry. There’s an undercover balcony as well as off-street parking. Walk to Royal Park for an outing and stop off at any number of cafes on the way home.

Auction: 12 August 12:30pm
Agent: Woodards, Vicki Sunbul 0438 777 405