They bought a swimming pool for $1m and turned into their dream home

6 hours ago 5

Milan and Melissa Butina with their daughter Petra, 5, in their pool. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Some might have seen it as a very expensive swimming pool, but Melissa and Milan Butina saw the opportunity.

The Brisbane couple was having coffee around the corner from the unique property at 33 Plunkett St in Paddington when they noticed it was for sale.

“A pool sitting atop a garage definitely got our attention!” Mrs Butina said. “When we came across the listing, it was open for inspection and we were only around the corner, so we popped in straight away. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.”

The pool at 33 Plunkett St, Paddington, sits high above the street and boasts suburb views.

That was seven years ago. A fire had destroyed the previous house on the 450 sqm, elevated site, leaving only the pool and the garage sitting high above the street.

“It was a clear building pad at the top,” Mrs Butina said. “We loved the orientation of the pool so much we designed and built the house around it.”

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The Butinas recruited Myers Ellyett Architecture to help them design a three-level, five-bedroom, four-bathroom house built into the hillside and showcasing 180 views.

“The design inspiration behind our home was creating a modern family space that’s centred around connection and entertaining,” Mrs Butina said.

This property at 33 Plunkett St, Paddington, is for sale with Max Hadgelias of Ray White Paddington.

That included creating multiple conversation zones and strong indoor–outdoor flow so the house felt open, functional, and calm.

“We also wanted the home to feel like our own private sanctuary — a place to relax, unwind, and escape the busyness of everyday life.”

The original pool has become one of the home’s most cherished features.

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“The pool is important to our household because it really adds to how we live and enjoy our home, especially for relaxing and spending time together as a family,” Mrs Butina said.

Melissa Butina with her children Petra, 5, and Oliver, 3, in their pool at 33 Plunkett St, Paddington. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

“We also added a heater so we could enjoy year round use.

“For us, it’s not just about having a pool, but about the lifestyle it offers — enjoying warm days, having friends and family over and creating memories together.”

The Butinas loved the process so much, they’ve decided to do it again on another site and are now selling 33 Plunkett St through Ray White Paddington agent Max Hadgelias via an expressions of interest campaign.

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