PERIOD GREENWICH ESTATE A SLICE OF SYDNEY HISTORY

Coolabah has earned its place in Sydney’s heritage for several reasons. The period Greenwich estate is not simply a prime example of Victorian era design; the property was also home to Lane Cove’s premier Lord Mayor, Jeremiah Roberts.

Dating back to 1883, the restored residence at 45 Greenwich Rd has only had a handful of owners, including vendor and interior designer Jo Ellis-Doty.

“Our family has lived here for 14 years,” says Ellis-Doty.

“It’s 142 years old and we’re only the fifth family to own it. We’ve loved every moment of restoring and living in this incredible home.”

Ellis-Doty and her husband are downsizing to an apartment, so Coolabah will be auctioned on May 31. It will be sold for a guide of $6.5 million via James Bennett of Belle Property Lane Cove.

Prior to its grand makeover, records show the property last exchanged in 2011 for $2.1 million.

The classic five-bedroom house has been masterfully enticed into the 21st Century by its owner, with meticulous attention to detail.

“Locals have told us how the sitting room was used to hold dances. They would open up the French doors to the porch and linger too late in the night,” Ellis-Doty adds.

“When we were renovating, we found a safe embedded in the primary bedroom wall, and a bag of jewellery was retrieved.

“It had been forgotten by the previous owners, and they were very happy to have it returned. We are so very honoured to have been the custodians of such a beautiful period property. We will miss it terribly.”

The original owner, Lord Mayor Roberts, made his name in publishing before entering politics. He came to office in 1895, marking the beginning of the area’s municipal independence from the borough of Willoughby.

“Homes like this don’t come around often. It’s a true Greenwich treasure,” Bennett says.

With a raft of period features, Coolabah has high ceilings and several ornate fireplaces, including an original made in the 1850s and later imported from England in the downstairs bathroom.

Now updated for modern family living, the heritage home on 663 sq m features two large living areas that spill out through French doors to terraces. In contrast, the state-contemporary provincial kitchen features a vast island bench and a walk-in pantry.

In addition to a ground-floor bedroom and palatial main bathroom, there are three more bedrooms on the upper level, including a primary suite with another grand bathroom and a private balcony showcasing city skyline views.

Outdoors, manicured hedges frame immaculate gardens and a travertine wraps around the backyard mosaic saltwater pool.

Although it was created in the 19th century, Coolabah has a host of modern day amenities from ducted air-conditioning and solar panels, to CCTV security and a gated carport. There is also a separate lock up garage.

Sitting on the corner of Greenwich and the aptly named Coolabah Ave, the stately home is close to village shops and cafes, as well as Wollstonecraft Station and a number of sought-after schools.

Coolabah at 45 Greenwich Rd, Greenwich, is being marketed by Belle Property Lane Cove Principal James Bennett with a $6.5 million price guide and will go to auction on May 31.

Australia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.

The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.

Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.

Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.

The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.

The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.

“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.

“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”

Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.

The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.

According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.

Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.

The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.

PERIOD GREENWICH ESTATE A SLICE OF SYDNEY HISTORY

A rare slice of Sydney history, Coolabah blends Victorian grandeur with modern luxury in the heart of Greenwich; once home to Lane Cove’s first Lord Mayor and now listed with a $6.5m guide.

Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.