William Pitt is renowned for his Melbourne architecture. He rarely built small properties, two exceptions being the Victorian Racing Club on Bourke Street in 1910 and the very similar dispensary in Newport in 1915.
It is this latter piece of Melbourne history that is for sale.
Currently, it is being enjoyed as a three-bedroom family home.
37 Davies Street, Newport, 3015
- Greg Hocking Elly Partners: 8387 0000
- Price: Contact agent
- Auction: September 9 at 11.30am
- Find out more about this property on Domain.com.au
Entry is to the side, where an Edwardian door opens to baltic pine floors. There is storage under the staircase directly ahead, featuring the dispensary’s original safe – still in perfect working order.
The front room has soaring, pressed-metail ceilings. Here the kitchen, family-meals room is located.
The kitchen’s large composite stone island bench complements the on-trend tile splash back, 900mm oven and six-burner gas stovetop.
Massive picture windows let the north-facing sun pour in, the triple-brick walls retain the heat.
An engineering report from a decade ago describe this building “as solid as the day it was built”. Being a Pitt build, that’s to be expected.
The sitting room, also on ground level, has a contemporary gas fireplace. Walk through to the laundry, powder room and access to the backyard.
Upstairs, the landing is carpeted.
A huge bedroom is accessed down three hardwood steps and is divided into a ’90s-style dedicated study and bedroom beyond.
The main bathroom has a twin-basin vanity, corner-set bath shower and a period sash window.
The main bedroom is gorgeously light-filled. It’s big enough for a small library-style nook, two large sitting chairs and a king-sized bed.
The third bedroom is of a standard size, with a dedicated wardrobe installed.
Outside spaces are generous. The block features alleyway access. Building a double garage accessed via the laneway is a possibility.
Pitt’s Neo-Gothic and Second Empire styles, seen in Collins Street specifically, made him famous. The Rialto, the Olderfleet, the Former Stock Exchange, the Princess Theatre are all part of the Pitt legacy. This three-bedroom family residence is, too.
