Williamstown: Where history and modernism meet

Historic Williamstown is one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs and its physical isolation protected its 19th-century roots until it became more connected to the rest of the city by the construction of the West Gate Bridge and the reinvigorated ferry and punt services along the Yarra River.

From the city’s earliest white settlement, Williamstown was home to Melbourne’s ship captains, bay pilots, sailmakers, chandlers and it even hosted a naval dockyard – almost all things maritime or nautical have had a base in Williamstown.

Today, this maritime history remains obvious everywhere, from an 1870s customs house to a former lighthouse and this connection with the past continues in the suburb’s interesting housing. There is everything from grand mansions befitting successful merchants to small cottages which once housed wharf workers.

And, while Williamstown becomes pretty busy at the weekends, during the week it is a surprisingly tranquil suburb, with wide streets and an enormous amount of open space beside the water.

The most sought after, and expensive, housing is near the sea: Esplanade, The Strand, Osborne and Cole streets. Huge period houses, many of them Victorian weatherboards, sit on large blocks with sea views and several have recently topped $3 million.

Yet, modern Williamstown is throwing up new trophies for today’s captains of industry – The Strand, in particular, has undergone a flurry of building to produce some stunning contemporary houses. They offer beautiful views of cargo ships going up the Yarra – and all with a backdrop of the city and its lights.

TOP TWO

15 Kingshott Close

$1.3 million-$1.4 million
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Auction: 12.30pm, April 29 
Agent: Greg Hocking Elly Partners 8387 0000, Leigh Melbourne 0414 239 986

Walking distance to the water but with a pool in the backyard, this low-maintenance house is part of the Rifle Range Estate. There are two large living areas and a bedroom downstairs and another three bedrooms and a play are upstairs.

165 Osborne Street

$1.4 million-$1.5 million
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Auction: Noon, April 29 
Agent: Sweeney 9399 9111, Dean Stanley 0403 372 922

Part of the new look Williamstown, this smart period-style house is on a low-maintenance block in one of the suburb’s best spots – near the historic botanical gardens. There are formal and informal living areas downstairs and four large bedrooms – two interconnected – upstairs.