It’s not hard to see why this former Postmaster General’s home in Melbourne’s north east has been dubbed a private Narnia.
Behind a discreet jarrah and wrought iron door lies a bespoke three bedroom, two bathroom family home that is worlds away from its 1930s heyday.
A discreet jarrah and wrought iron door leads to an unsuspecting former postmaster general's residence. Picture: Supplied
The property, located at 730A Heidelberg Road, Alphington, caught its vendors Lindsey and Xavier Andriske by complete surprise when they were house hunting four years ago.
“It wasn't the house we were looking for initially but we were like, ‘Whoa, what is this?’ Mrs Andriske told realestate.com.au.
“As soon as we walked in, we were just wowed. It had everything we had on our checklist, but in an unexpected location.”
Vendors Lindsey and Xavier Andriske are selling the much-loved family home to be closer to family. Picture: Supplied
Over the years, the family have been greeted with much curiosity from passer-by’s about what is behind the front facade, and then disbelief that it is in actual fact, a family home.
The family of four, which now includes four-year-old Florence and two-year-old Freddie, have made the sad decision to sell to move closer to family.
The unsuspecting door sits along Alphington's bustling Heidelberg Road. Picture: realcommercial.com.au
Happy to have made their own footprint within the historic abode, Mrs Andriske said she will most miss the feeling of walking into her home each day.
“The exposed brick, it feels like we're in an art gallery,” she said. “And I don't think we'll get bedrooms that size wherever we go.”
Exposed brick and period details reveal the home's former life as a postmaster's residence. Picture: Supplied
Double doors open to a generous outdoor entertaining deck with wood-burning fireplace. Picture: Supplied
Sales agent Nick Smith from Nelson Alexander said being a converted Postmaster’s home, the property was a rare buying opportunity.
“It's got that sort of inner city vibe to it,’ he said. “It’s a fairly low turnover, tightly held sort of suburb.”
High ceilings, a fireplace, hardwood floors, ducted heating, skylights and a seamless indoor outdoor flow to the rear entertaining space are among the home’s highlights, he said.
“It's tucked away, it's very deceptive,” he said. “It's got a really nice, fun sort of entry point, but it's sort of quite deceiving and quite camouflaged.”
Three generously sized bedrooms feature split system units and floor-to-ceiling built-in robes. Picture: Supplied
It is on the market for $1.45-$1.595 million.
The Alphington home is among a small handful of converted Postmaster homes currently for sale across the country. Here is a peek at the abodes with a rich history seeking new owners:
Original late 1800s NSW post office
Described as one of the Araluen Valley’s “grandest homes,” the property was formerly the original Post Office and Post Master's residence from the 1860s until 1977.
The home was the original post office and Postmaster's residence from the gold-rush days of the 1860s until closure in 1977. Picture: realestate.com.au
The modernised home, at 5929 Main Road Araluen, Braidwood is set on 0.8ha and the residence includes high ceilings, polished hardwood floors and features four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
It has a price guide of $989,000 - $1,050,000.
Charming country living
Once a post office, store and museum, this Kangaroo Valley residence at 254 Moss Vale Road was built in 1885.
It has been extended and renovated to include four bedrooms, two bathrooms, ducted air-conditioning, and the newer part of the property includes an open plan living and dining area.
The renovated cottage was once the valley's post office, store, and museum. Picture: realestate.com.au
There is also a separate studio with a bathroom, which offers extra accommodation or a work space.
Set on 2.11ha, the property is located two hours from Sydney and Canberra.
It is priced at $2 million to $2.2 million.
Queensland dual-living opportunity with rear Postmaster cottage
Behind the main residence of this five bedroom home lies a second residence which was once a Postmaster’s cottage.
The charming residence includes two bedrooms, a study and a renovated bathroom.
Adjacent to the main residence sits the original Postmaster's cottage. Picture: realestate.com.au
Original hardwood floors, high ceilings, and intricate detailing are hallmarks of its past life.
The property, located at 836 Gilston Road, Gilston, is being sold via an Expressions of Interest campaign.
Looking for your own postmaster cottage renovation opportunity?
If restoring a former postmaster cottage sounds appealing, this Bendalong home is seeking a new lease of life.
Many locals have fond memories of attending the property for their banking and postal needs. Picture: realestate.com.au
Held by the same family for many decades, the corner block property is set on a 538sqm landholding and includes a sunroom formal lounge, two bedrooms and a bathroom.
The property is located walking distance to Washerwomans and Inyadda Beaches, and is priced at $1,590,000.
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