Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s former press secretary Alex Cramb is selling Rear 583 Rathdowne St, Carlton North, along with his partner Ally.
The Prime Minister’s ex-press secretary Alex Cramb and his partner Ally are selling their historic Carlton North house with a $900,000-$990,000 range.
Mr Cramb retired after Anthony Albanese won the 2022 Australian election, but prior to this spent many days working from the Rear 583 Rathdowne St home during the Covid pandemic’s lockdowns.
The media specialist also worked as a communications director on former PM Kevin Rudd’s “Kevin 07” election campaign and for former NSW Attorney-General Bob Debus.
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Mr Cramb said he and Ally purchased the house about seven years ago when they relocated from Sydney to Melbourne.
A former horse stable, believed to date back to the early 1900s, it features high cathedral-style ceilings, open-plan living and dining areas, a loft-like bedroom, courtyard garden and front door knocker shaped like an elephant’s head.
After moving in, the couple refurbished the kitchen and bathroom, added a laundry and installed wardrobes in the bedroom of the home, which they dubbed The Barn.
Mr Cramb noted they had wanted to retain as much of the building’s historic character as possible.
Mr Cramb and his partner Ally wanted to keep as much of the house’s history alive as possible, when they refurbished the kitchen and bathroom.
Mr Cramb with then-Labor leader Anthony Albanese in Tasmania, during the 2022 Australian election campaign. Picture: Toby Zerna.
There’s plenty of benchspace in the kitchen, along with a dishwasher.
He’s a massive music fan, much like his former boss Mr Albanese, aka DJ Albo, who has spun the decks at a number of live events including charity fundraisers.
Mr Cramb’s record collection and music-related posters are displayed within the house.
“Because of the high ceilings, the rafters and the wood panelling on the ceiling, the acoustics are incredible,” Mr Cramb said.
“So sitting back listening to music in there is really an experience, if you have a good hi-fi system.”
Boston ivy and maple trees add a dash of autumn colour to the rear courtyard garden.
Mr Albanese on the campaign trail alongside Alex Cramb. Picture: Toby Zerna.
Mr Cramb says the home’s walls provide plenty of space to display artworks both large and small.
Both he and Ally worked from home during the Covid pandemic, and he also spent two weeks in quarantine there after a Canberra trip before the 2022 election.
“I worked on the (election) campaign with the now-Prime Minister and the team,” Mr Cramb added.
“To get to work for him and work up close with his team, who are all equally incredible, was a highlight of my career.
“When we won government I decided that I’d retire.”
Kevin Rudd speaking at a conference in 2007. Mr Cramb worked as communications director on that year’s “Kevin 07” campaign.
Mr Cramb and Ally refurbished the bathroom after they moved into the abode.
Mr Cramb said that sitting below the maple trees in The Barn’s courtyard had been a welcome contrast to spending all day in the fast-paced world of politics.
His neighbours, members of a local Facebook group, would leave food at the front door when he was in quarantine.
Mr Cramb now spends most of his time at his and Ally’s hobby farm in regional Victoria, but said he would miss living in Rathdowne Village’s centre.
“There’s a row of really lovely cafes and restaurants and bakeries, and there’s a farmer’s market at the weekend,” he recalled.
“My favourite thing is Curtin Square, there’s a dog park and you can get the dogs and go out there in the morning.”
DJ Albo would definitely dig the records and music-related artworks on display.
The loft-style bedroom has windows and a skylight.
Nelson Alexander’s Charlie Barham said the warehouse-esque residence would suit first-home buyers, downsizers, investors and purchasers wanting a city base or studio-style creative space.
“It is a great alternative to a terrace home, especially for buyers wanting to get into Carlton North without necessarily stretching to a more traditional period house,” Mr Barham said.
“It also works really well as an alternative to an apartment, given it is stand-alone and doesn’t come with the same owners’ corporation structure or fees.”
The residence is a short walk to Rathdowne Village, Curtain Square, the Carlton Baths, Lygon St, Melbourne University and eateries.
Entry is via the laneway off Rathdowne St, directly opposite the intersection of Rathdowne and Davis streets.
He said an individual original stable, set in a laneway, was a rarity in Melbourne’s inner north.
“It feels private, interesting and memorable, which is not something you come across every week,” the agency partner added.
The house will be auctioned at 3pm on July 4.
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