The quintessential Northcote combo: Crisp, cool and clever

Northcote’s a bit like Melbourne weather – don’t like this bit, walk five minutes and you’ll find another completely different patch.

It’s a sprawling metropolis, this northern burg, and lest you think it’s all been given over entirely to baristas, boutique beer and beards this past decade or so there are plenty of family friendly enclaves around here too.

This is a terrific part of town, hunkering in under the hefty protection of Ruckers Hill and you’ll find some of the suburb’s best homes in this little wedge of Westgarth.

This house on Charles Street is an excellent case in point. It’s got that classically lovely block-fronted Victorian facade, ruby red fan leadlights that project a warm period glow and then there’s the renovation – crisp, cool, clever – that’s the quintessential Northcote combo.

The entry, a long hall, lets you see all the way to the backyard, but before that there are plenty of excellent rooms to explore.

Two lovely bedrooms sit either side of the entrance hallway, the one on the right with a fireplace and flanking storage.

Bedroom three sits further afield on the right opposite the open, excellent space of the central TV room. Here a door leads out to the pretty courtyard giving the centre of the home light and air.

Just before you step down into the rear section, a small passage banks right and takes you to the sleek bathroom.

That fine courtyard is also accessed from the hallway as you head down into the terrific dining room with stylish sliding timber storage lining one wall. Polished concrete underfoot underscores the smooth, contemporary feel out here and it flows across to the handsome kitchen with beautiful timber floating bench and funky pale yellow cabinetry. A neat meals area sits tucked underneath the stair to level one.

Step down again into the fine living room where a low-level window stretches across to give terrific views over the back garden.

Sliding glass takes you out onto the deck and the surprisingly spacious rear yard. Out here you get a good stretch of green as well as a lower level with workshop and right of way access.

Head back inside and upstairs to the main suite where there is a gorgeous bathroom servicing the bedroom with city views atop the half-frosted window.

This is a superb offering in a top-notch part of Northcote; best get on your fixie.

134 Charles Street, Northcote

The surprisingly spacious rear yard at 134 Charles Street, Northcote. 

$2.1 million-$2.3 million
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car spaces
Auction: Noon, Saturday May 20
Agent: Nicholas West, Nelson Alexander 0418 559 494

Need to know: The house was last sold for $795,000 in July 2008 and the highest recorded house price in Northcote (last 12 months) was $4.3 million for 167 Clarke Street in September 2016.

Built Circa 1900 Renovated 2011
Land 370 square metres