At this time of year Melbourne is now heavily into the Auction Season. Homes in inner Melbourne are being offered for sale with the gardens in full bloom, the interiors freshly painted, new flooring or freshly sanded, as well as refreshed and renovated kitchens and bathrooms. Should you be lucky enough to purchase one of the many heritage properties for sale right now, it is a clever move to contact a Heritage Architect for an inspection and assessment of your new property acquisition.
Andrew Fedorowicz (FAIA) is our principal Architect and is well situated to assist you in all Heritage property restoration and refurbishment.
In Inner Melbourne, ‘land banking’ is a common practice. People buy properties in reasonable condition and let them out to tenants for 5-10 years (depending on the rate of appreciation and the deposit applied to their purchase). The tenants pay off the loan and then these ‘land bankers’ apply a quick makeover. Hardiboard with tile surfaces, new lighting fittings and garden makeovers provide a refreshed and seemingly well cared for appearance to prospective buyers.
On one street in South Melbourne, two houses were offered for sale in quick succession. One had $200,000 spent on renovation with a proper architect design creating a purposeful living area and retaining all the heritage features, enhancing some that were previously neglected to bring the whole property into line with its original 1880s construction, yet offering comfortable modern liveability.
The other was given a quick makeover by the family who owned it and had rented it out for 10 years. The actual façade was intact in original bluestone, but the sidewall featured a major crack running from the roofline to nearly ground level. Internally it was repainted, the flooring sanded and the kitchen and bathroom tiling replaced with more ‘modern’ tiles. About $25K was expended. It was a cosmetic makeover, but it ‘looked’ very good.
The first house sold within two weeks. House number two has been passed in at Auction and attracted no buyers at the price it was offered. The valuation was put at about $1.9 million by independent valuers. The owners were asking for $2.5 million. Sometimes ambition clouds judgement. Buyers also recognise quality over cosmetic coverups.
Balance Architecture and Interior Design have a wealth of experience in creating and providing elegant solutions in the presentation and living areas of Heritage properties. Many earlier properties were built with structural internal walls, separate anti-rooms for servants, stables and slate roofing.
Electrical wiring, plumbing and lighting were set to standards we no longer find acceptable. Foundations were often bluestone lintels laid on a sand base.
Add to this some truly appalling ‘renovations’ of the 1950s, ’60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Ironwork was removed from ornate verandahs on Victorian Terraces by migrant families buying cheap then looking to ‘modernise’. Feature tiles were ripped up and more ‘modern’ tiling replaced the delicate Victorian mosaic tiling. Architectural mouldings both internal and external were removed. Ornate glass, be it leadlight or the original window glass was often replaced with ‘feature’ glass (whatever that meant). Old gardens with 60 year old well kept roses and old fashioned perennials made way for eucalypts, grevillias and kangaroo paws. And dietes, so many dietes.
To restore a home to its original glory takes vision and capital. It takes an experienced eye to take hold of the rudder and steer the project in the direction of faithful restoration yet incorporate entirely liveable spaces. Andrew Fedorowicz of Balance Architecture is such a visionary. A fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, Andew can explain to you the very real options available to you in developing your heritage property. (Andrew is in fact the Principal Architect of Balance Architecture). A true understanding of Heritage Architecture and its restoration will add real value to your new home, and Andrew will provide this.
Whether you’ve purchased in inner Melbourne – Albert Park, South Melbourne, Clifton Hill, Moonee Ponds or Carlton – if your property is considered ‘heritage’ or you live in an area with a heritage overlay, please call Andrew on 0418 341 443 and book a consultation to ensure a professional assessment of your proposed renovations. Andrew is also both interested and experienced in the restoration and renewal of rural heritage properties.
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Heritage Architecture is a holistic pursuit. It’s not just creating a façade, it’s maximising the value of your historical and beautiful home.
Heritage – It’s worth saving, it’s worth preserving.
