Edwardian residence is a refined blend of heritage charm

In the domain of design, Jacquie Naylor knows what works, so it is no surprise that her Melbourne home is an essay in style and sophistication.

The acclaimed fashion entrepreneur and founder of luxury lifestyle brand Husk has been front and centre in shaping the nation’s retail landscape for decades.

Naylor has previously held senior non-executive roles with Michael Hill, Macpac, Cambridge Clothing, and the PAS Group. The fashion doyenne also sat on the board of the Melbourne Fashion Festival for 12 years. Earlier this year, she stepped down after six years as a non-executive director on the board of Myer.

Now she is making another significant move, selling her Armadale home of three decades.

Listed with Kay & Burton agents, Gerald Delany and Nicole Gleeson, the grand late-Edwardian residence at 39 Glassford St is a refined blend of heritage charm and contemporary flair in one of the city’s most desirable postcodes.

“Jacquie’s home reflects the same sophisticated aesthetic and attention to detail that have defined her professional life,” said Delany, who is marketing the property with a $5.5 million to $6 million price guide.

“It’s a rare chance to purchase a residence shaped by an industry leader with an exceptional eye for design and quality.”

Designed in collaboration with Mark Simpson of Design Office, the home expertly combines classic architectural features with sleek modern interiors.

Original Edwardian detailing includes ornate ceilings, leadlight windows, and decorative fireplaces sitting seamlessly beside 21st-century finishes and clever design principles that bring in natural light and provide functional living areas.

The two-storey home is connected by both a spiral staircase and an internal elevator, with the main living level on the ground floor, and three bedrooms, plus a rooftop terrace above.

Downstairs, there are multiple entertainment areas, including a lounge room with a fireplace and French doors to the yard, as well as a sitting room and a second living space.

A chef’s kitchen features ILVE, Miele, and Liebherr appliances, a butler’s pantry, and marble bench tops. The dining area feeds through full-height metal-framed glass doors to the north-facing terrace, gardens and gas-heated swimming pool.

Conveniently sitting on the ground floor, the main bedroom suite has a walk-in wardrobe and a hotel-inspired ensuite with a tub.

Upstairs, three more bedrooms feature custom-made cabinetry. Two bedrooms share a full family-friendly bathroom, while a guest room has an ensuite with underfloor heating.

Up above, a roof terrace is the ideal vantage point to enjoy panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.

Additional highlights of the home include zoned heating and cooling, heated towel rails, a lock-up garage, electric-gated driveway parking, and irrigated gardens with feature lighting.

Armadale is synonymous with leafy streets, grand period homes, and designer boutiques. The Glassford St house is 6kms southeast of the CBD and is close to the High St shopping strip, Beatty Ave cafés, and Armadale Station. Lauriston Girls’ School, Armadale Primary School, St Catherine’s and Scotch College are also nearby.

The property at 39 Glassford St, Armadale, is listed via an expression of interest closing October 28, at 5pm, with a $5.5 million to $6 million price guide.

Australian house prices are surging again, delivering double-digit annual growth months ahead of schedule.

Nationally, the median house price climbed 1.1 per cent in October to $940,000, lifting annual growth to 10.6 per cent, the first double-digit increase since the 2021–22 property boom.

Market Resilience Surprises Analysts

The acceleration comes earlier than expected, according to Ray White Group Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee, who says the milestone was originally forecast for the end of the year.

“Stronger-than-expected October gains and continued tight supply across most markets have pushed growth ahead of schedule,” Conisbee said. “This shows how resilient demand has remained through spring.”

Perth (+14.8 per cent), Brisbane (+12.5 per cent) and Adelaide (+10.8 per cent) continue to lead the charge among capital cities, while Sydney (+8.6 per cent) and Melbourne (+6.5 per cent) show steady, consistent increases.

Regional Markets Extend Their Lead

Beyond the capitals, regional Australia is powering ahead, particularly in the resource states.

Regional Western Australia jumped 16.4 per cent year-on-year, and regional Queensland followed close behind at 14.5 per cent, as population growth and affordability continue to drive demand.

Units Outperform Houses

Unit prices rose even more sharply in October, up 1.4 per cent to $710,000, marking 9.2 per cent annual growth. Conisbee said affordability pressures, new first home buyer incentives, and a lack of available stock are pushing more buyers into the apartment market.

“Units are now seeing stronger monthly gains than houses, reflecting both affordability constraints and renewed first-home-buyer activity,” she said.

The biggest monthly jumps were in Perth (+1.6 per cent), Adelaide (+1.5 per cent), and Brisbane (+1.4 per cent). Melbourne’s unit market also firmed, up 1.6 per cent, as buyers returned to lower price brackets.

Spring Demand Defies Higher Listings

Despite an influx of spring listings, new stock has failed to match the intensity of buyer demand. Nationally, house prices have now risen every month since February, and unit prices every month since March.

“The pace of growth shows demand hasn’t been dampened by higher supply,” Conisbee said.

Outlook: Steady Growth Into 2026

The data comes as the Reserve Bank prepares for its Melbourne Cup Day meeting, where rates are expected to remain on hold at 3.6 per cent.

With inflation easing only gradually and unemployment sitting around 4.5 per cent, analysts expect monetary policy to stay steady for now.

Ray White’s forecast suggests 2025 will close with high single- to low double-digit annual growth nationally, with smaller capitals and regional areas tipped to outperform well into 2026.

Edwardian residence is a refined blend of heritage charm

Style, heritage and design pedigree combine at \the Armadale home of Husk founder Jacquie Naylor, a showcase of timeless elegance and modern sophistication.

Australia’s housing market defies forecasts as prices surge past pandemic-era benchmarks.