There’s more than meets the eye inside this three-bedroom residence at 5 Collins St, Geelong West.
A contemporary turnkey townhouse just metres from Pakington St provides a blueprint for smart in-fill development that doesn’t compromise on space and quality.
A compact plot built to the boundary on three sides required some creative thinking from BJL Builders’ Ben Lovatt.
He said maximising natural light throughout the two-level residence at 5 Collins St, Geelong West, was a key priority – something which was achieved through strategic skylights, a double-height stairwell and an internal courtyard.
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“If you walk upstairs you have got that massive stairwell void with five skylights in it. It’s quite spacious and there’s just so much natural light,” he said.
“We have had a few people through who have commented on how well we have done it, being built in boundary to boundary, how much natural light we have got in there.”
Mr Lovatt constructed the neighbouring duplexes for a client several years ago and bought this block with a view to replicating them but instead decided to build one premium three-bedroom townhouse.
“Originally I had the exact same plan to do those duplexes but I just wanted to create something a little bit different and a little bit more up-market with nicer finishes and a bigger townhouse,” he said.
Skylights over the staircase void draw natural light into both levels.
Polished concrete floors feature throughout the entry level.
A north-facing balcony creates an indoor-outdoor connection off the upstairs living space.
“If it was not for the site being so small it would be classified as a house.”
The floorplan of the three-bedroom townhouse is surprisingly spacious, with living areas on each level and a main bedroom suite incorporating a well-appointed walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.
Square-set ceilings, polished concrete floors on the ground floor and custom joinery are among high-end inclusions inside.
The kitchen, which anchors the open-plan living area on the entry level, features a curved stone island benchtop, Smeg appliances and a walk-in pantry.
A similar calibre of finish is evident in the nearby powder room and two full bathrooms, one of which has a freestanding bathtub alongside its large shower.
The main bathroom features gold highlights and a freestanding bathtub.
Two of the three bedrooms have direct balcony access.
The square set ceilings continue through into the double garage.
Mr Lovatt said one of his favourite features of the townhouse is its two north-facing front balconies. The largest is accessible from both the upstairs living room and third bedroom, while the second provides a private morning coffee spot for the main bedroom’s occupants.
The builder has also created a super-functional double garage with a laundry, electric car charging and direct access to a covered outdoor entertainment area. But he says semi-retired buyers “would not even have to own a car” given the location.
“It’s such a good spot. It’s literally 100m from the pharmacy, 100m from the shops” he said.
Gartland, Geelong agent Will Ainsworth will auction 5 Collins St, Geelong West, on April 11 at 12.30pm.
Price hopes are $1.1m to $1.2m.
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