A mid-century modern house by the sea that changed the course of a man's life has been voted Australia's most iconic property listing on realestate.com.au this month.
Retro is having a moment, with mid-century modern homes drawing huge crowds and deep-pocketed fans enamoured by their stylish post-war flair.
The renovated property at 53 Thomson Street, Kiama is a local icon, and has now been crowned among Australia's most iconic homes. Picture: realestate.com.au
The winner of realestate.com.au's 'iconic retro listing' social media poll is a beauty, whose owner Matthew Shaw is obsessed with mid-century style.
"To me, it never goes out of fashion," he said.
Such is Mr Shaw's love for that era that when he drove past 53 Thomson Street, Kiama in coastal New South Wales one day in 2015 en route to Berry, where he planned to buy some land to build, the boxy 1960s blonde-brick house stopped him in his tracks.
"I could see what it needed to be immediately. It was shaped like a boomerang. And to me, it looked like a jewellery box — and I needed to lift the lid off and do some stuff inside."
How the home looked before its dramatic transformation. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Mr Shaw never made it to Berry. He bought the home for $810,000, hired Wollongong-based architect Geoff Borst, and asked him to work on a design inspired by renowned architect Harry Seidler — particularly Rose Seidler House, an iconic modernist home-museum in Wahroonga, Sydney.
The renovation was inspired by Harry Seidler, particularly the iconic Rose Seidler House. Picture: realestate.com.au
"Geoff had a sketchpad, and he started sketching up the front facade of the building. And I said, 'That's exactly what I want, you're employed'."
Over the next two years, they brought his vision to life: a 50s time capsule with Seidler pops of red, yellow and blue.
A bold red door opens to has sweeping ocean views. Picture: realestate.com.au
Today, a door with a chrome starburst handle swings into an open plan dining, kitchen and living area, with a bedroom on either end of the home separated by green and pink sliders, while a blue and mosaic front terrace laps up ocean views.
One of two eclectic bathrooms. Picture: realestate.com.au
Even after more than a decade of ownership, Mr Shaw still swoons at his masterpiece.
"I love walking up the front ramp, opening the red door and seeing the yellow pegboard island bench, which is illuminated from the top. It gives me such a feeling of happiness."
But despite its meticulous reno, being one of the top 20 most-clicked-on homes on realestate.com.au last month, and more than 70 groups inspecting the home, its price was revised down from $2.1m+ to $1.85m–$1.98m, and the property passed in at its timed auction.
The award-winning home has two bedrooms plus a separate study. Picture: realestate.com.au
Agent Andy Wharton at First National Coast and Country Kiama is now negotiating with the highest bidders.
"This is a very particular and quirky style of property. It doesn't tick all the boxes for every buyer — but boy, they wanted to see it," Mr Wharton said.
The runners-up in our poll were also a bunch of stunning retro time capsules.
Another mid-century time marvel, this renovated five-bedroom riot at 5 Shirlow Avenue, Faulconbridge in the lower Blue Mountains explodes in colour, texture and geometry — on the market for $1.25m-$1.3m.
5 Shirlow Avenue, Faulconbridge is on the market for $1.249m-$1.3m. Picture: realestate.com.au
In northeast Melbourne, the sprawling five-bedder at 25 Bamfield Close, Templestowe is less the past reimagined and more a living museum.
This palatial tri-level home boasts an elegant formal lounge where you'll want to pour a whisky at the wet bar and sit by the fireplace as you admire the soaring timber ceilings, exposed brick and chandeliers.
25 Bamfield Close, Templestowe. Picture: realestate.com.au
Set on a whopping 4,044sqm, the home is listed for $3m-$3.3m.
Meanwhile the luxurious harbourside gem at 78 Lincoln Highway, Port Lincoln is another golden oldie that's been loved just the way it is for decades.
There's a column-framed pool, mirror-tiled kitchen, wooden wet bar, marble fireplace alongside corner spa baths, and luxurious drapes and pleats galore.
78 Lincoln Highway, Port Lincoln. Picture: realestate.com.au
This month, viewers are voting on Australia's 'most iconic' historic homes.
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