We initial featured Dan Honey and Paul Fuog’s fantastically understated and exceptionally practical condominium in 2013, when they’d been living in it for just in excess of a year. Now, 9 decades on, the couple and their daughter have made the decision the time is suitable to set their beloved, compact abode on the sector in order to discover a property that has a ‘bit extra separation.’
‘We appreciate the perception of connectedness the apartment delivers,’ says Dan. ‘Living suitable in the middle of the town implies we hardly ever come to feel isolated dwelling in this article.’
Locals will very likely know the legendary facade of this Flinders Lane apartment setting up recognised as Bible Residence, constructed in 1898 all through the city’s heyday, by architect and town planner Frank Stapely. In 1911 the constructing was acquired by the British and International Bible Modern society to be used to distribute bibles from the shopfronts, for this reason the title, and in 1994 the constructing was converted into the 17 household residences however standing today.
Although the setting up still resembles its 1898 originals externally, internally, the flats have been drastically upgraded to match modern-day city residing. Dan and Paul engaged renowned architect Clare Cousins to enable them with their redesign, which involved entirely gutting the interior to make way for a much more present day, negligible and flexible space.
The new bedroom, for instance, is a ‘bed platform’ enclosed in very simple joinery and a good deal of in-crafted storage that separates it from their daughter’s bedroom. A few colourful, sliding screens permit this area to turn out to be element of the dwelling area when open, and a fully personal bed room when closed.
‘Before the renovation the a single bed room was a awful dimensions, with only 50cm on both aspect of the mattress,’ claims Paul. ‘It was just large ample to make a mess in, but not big plenty of to really enjoy. Each bedrooms are like minimal hideaways now, serving no other operate than stress-free and a location to sleep.’
They also extended the kitchen, overhauled the rest room, experienced the floorboards sanded and the walls painted a crisp white. ‘The material palette was stored neutral and warm all over,’ points out Dan. ‘It developed fluidity and spaciousness.’
Soaring 3.8 metre ceilings and big, operable arched home windows along the northern walls present the best perception of house.
Paul says, ‘Having all the home windows open up with the summer season breeze coming as a result of is rather exclusive, and not what you be expecting to encounter dwelling suitable in the city.’
Apart from the early Friday morning tram excursions to Vic Marketplace to select up deliver for the 7 days forward, and the capability to are living and get everywhere devoid of a car, what the pair will miss most about their legendary apartment is residing in the coronary heart of the hustle and bustle of the city.
‘Melbourne is a stunning metropolis, and it has been a delight currently being immersed in the grand architecture on a every day foundation,’ says Dan. ‘It’s generally uplifting.’
301/241 Flinders Lane is outlined with Sam Fenna at Belle Home and will go to auction on Saturday Oct 22 at 1:00pm.