Award winning Glebe home breaks tradition
A bold, white vision of modern design, this award-winning Glebe home breaks from tradition with futuristic curves, arched windows and a $5.5m price tag.
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Straddling Sydney’s city fringe and the inner west, Glebe is known for its architectural heritage and peppering of period terrace houses.
This Ferry Rd house is none of that. It’s a boldly white, contemporary residence that merges futuristic curves and striking arches. The adventurous departure from the neighbourhood’s historic streetscape paid off for the innovative architects, snagging the top Australian design award.
In 2020, Surry Hills-based firm Chenchow Little earned the Wilkinson Award for Residential Architecture for Glebe House.
Now the rare real estate find is on the market with Harriet France of Sotheby’s International Realty, set to go to auction on June 3 with a price guide of $5.5m.
Tony Chenchow and Stephanie Little didn’t have much to work with, just a small 374 sq m site surrounded by Victorian terraces and modern apartment blocks.
Their goal was to maximise the capacity of the tight block and create a functional, liveable space for a growing family. The result is a head-turning two-storey home with curves in all the right places.
Unlike its traditional Victorian neighbours, number 38 is a modern marvel that is as remarkable as it is practical. The signature white-clad four-bedroom house is a grand design in a pint-sized spot.
A dilapidated cottage on the site was demolished to make way for the award-winning home, which the architects crafted to be sympathetic to the existing built environment. The arched openings and windows have been created to pay homage to the grand portico entrance of the Victorian house next door.
The ground floor houses the main living areas framed by vast arched windows and polished concrete floors. A multipurpose rumpus or work-from-home space features bespoke cabinetry. The Corian and oak kitchen has integrated appliances, and the open-plan lounge and dining room spill out onto a covered terrace and rock garden.
There is also a concealed powder room and laundry, plus a store room all on the lower level, further showcasing the savvy use of space.
Complementary to the external sculpted lines, a central curved staircase connects the two levels, while the double-height void allows for an abundance of natural light.
Inverted-arch windows upstairs create a scalloped framework to capture the Anzac Bridge and city skyline views while providing privacy for the upper-level bedrooms and bathrooms.
In the main bedroom, there is a shower en-suite with a skylight and built-ins, and the three remaining bedrooms share a full, family-friendly bathroom with a freestanding tub.
Additional features of the Glebe property include off-street parking, underfloor heating, Sonos sound system, double glazing, ceiling fans, and air conditioning.
Sitting less than 300m from the light rail and Glebe Rowing Club, the award-winning home is close to waterfront parklands, the eateries of Glebe Point Rd, as well as the University of Sydney and Broadway within easy reach.
Glebe House at 38 Ferry Rd, Glebe is listed with Harriet France of Sotheby’s International Realty, and will be auctioned on on June 3 with a price guide of $5.5m
A record-breaking $11 million sale at The Centennial Collection has set a new benchmark for luxury apartment living in Bondi Junction.
As interest rates, inflation and market sentiment fluctuate, investors are being urged to focus on data, not panic.
A sprawling French Provincial-inspired estate on two hectares has hit the market with a $17 million to $18 million price guide.
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A grand 2ha family compound in Sydney’s north west has come to market with expectations it could break through the current price benchmark for the sprawling semi-rural suburb.
The Middle Dural estate at 65 Cranstons Rd is listed with William Brush of Manor Real Estate and has a price guide of $17 million to $18 million.
If the trophy home hits its target, the six-bedroom, five-bathroom residence will become the district’s priciest property.
Currently, the house price record for Middle Dural and the broader Hills District sits with 3 McLeod Rd. That stately mansion, also on 2ha, achieved $15 million last June through Manor Real Estate.
American architect John Henry designed the elaborate two-storey Cranstons Rd house, which merges French Provincial sophistication and Hamptons glamour alongside indulgent resort-inspired amenities.
Beyond security gates, a sweeping driveway and statement fountain announce the modern mansion with its classic columns and elegant porch.
Inside, a dramatic entrance foyer immediately captures attention upon arrival, with soaring 6m ceilings, a chandelier, and an elegant double-curved staircase as a standout centrepiece.
The home’s spacious floorplan covers approximately 1200 sq m of living space, specifically crafted to accommodate every event, from intimate family gatherings to large-scale entertaining.
Formal and informal lounge and dining areas flow out to multiple alfresco spaces, including the vast casual family zone and a stone kitchen complete with a fireplace, high-end integrated appliances, a long eat-at island bench, and a fully equipped butler’s pantry.
There is also a home theatre, a billiards room with a marble cocktail bar, a walk-in wine cellar and tasting room, a large home office or guest suite with bathroom, and a fully equipped gymnasium.
The detailed craftsmanship throughout the home includes herringbone timber floors, coffered ceilings, bespoke joinery and walls of windows framing the leafy outlook and grounds.
Upstairs, a mezzanine gallery separates two accommodation wings. On one side, the palatial main bedroom has a sitting area, a private balcony, and a large dressing room featuring two accessory tables. In the spacious ensuite, there are dual vanities, two showers and a freestanding bathtub.
Five more bedrooms, each with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, and an upper-level library that is ideal for children’s study or as a second home office.
The outdoor amenities at the Middle Dural compound rival a five-star resort with a 20m swimming pool, a championship-sized floodlit tennis court, and a separate entertainer’s pavilion that includes an outdoor kitchen, an open fireplace, a bathroom, and a sauna.
Additional features include elaborate chandeliers and feature lighting, a wine display wall, ducted air conditioning, decorative wainscoting, wallpaper, carpeted bedrooms, security and solar panels.
Surrounding the manor, the manicured gardens consist of expansive lawns and sculpted hedges, with an established neighbouring forest.
Popular schools, shopping centres, cafés and everyday amenities are within easy reach, with Sydney’s CBD approximately 40 km away.
The Middle Dural estate at 65 Cranstons Rd is listed via private treaty with William Brush of Manor Real Estate.
Australia’s market is on the move again, and not always where you’d expect. We’ve found the surprise suburbs where prices are climbing fastest.
As interest rates, inflation and market sentiment fluctuate, investors are being urged to focus on data, not panic.
