Cover Property

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday February 26, 2008

Anna Anderson

NEWTOWN

20 RANDLE STREET

$1.05 million+

House 3 bed, attic, 1 bath, 1 car

Built 1890s

Land About 126 sq m

Inspect Sat, noon-12.45pm

Agent Century 21 Newtown, 0419 258 784

Auction March 15

Last traded for $370,000 in 1996

Renovators obsessed with up-to-the-minute fashions often ruin perfectly fine houses in their quest for minimalism. The owners of this freestanding terrace were committed to keeping the Victorian architectural manner and still added a dash of today's style.

The benefit of its end-of-row position is evident when you see the leafy outlook from each window and feel the easterly breeze through all three levels.

Grand double reception rooms, divided by wood-panelled doors, are richly decorated in heritage colours. Ceramic-tiled and marble fireplaces, deep cornices and ceiling roses are highlighted.

New brushbox floors extend into the granite-finished kitchen and a yellow, east-facing dining room. Here, bifold windows open to a deck, paved terrace and a wisteria-covered carport. All these areas flow together but also allow for several separate living spaces.

A laundry and toilet are hidden on this level and upstairs there's a big Victorian-style bathroom with a burgundy claw-foot tub and double hand basins.

All three bedrooms are doubles, one has french doors to a balcony, another a deck.

THE AGENT, GEORGE NIKOS, SAYS:

"In terms of the house, the wide frontage, attention to detail and the restoration stand out. The size of the courtyard and the car space are pluses. This is one of the best pockets in Newtown; Hollis Park is at the end of the street and there's a good cafe on the corner."

THE OWNER SAYS:

"We tried to replicate what it would have looked like in the Victorian era so we had some professional help with the colours. In London, we loved the convenience of the Tube so the location here, close to the station, is great. My wife walks home from Martin Place for exercise; it takes her an hour."

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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