Port Melbourne tops list of five special residential warehouse offerings in Melbourne

One of Melbourne’s most interesting warehouse conversion offerings is a four-bedroom Rouse Street abode (pictured above) in Port Melbourne with a sweet pedigree. Owner Richard O’Bryan has a history of converting industrial buildings for residential use. He cut his teeth on the Hat Factory in Prahran and went onto warehouses in Collingwood and Kensington. Also worked on the Melbourne Central Shot Tower conversion as a trainee construction manager. He’s also been responsible for the Swallow and Ariel factory in Port Melbourne and the Red Tulip development in Prahran.

He put his 30 years of experience into the Port Melbourne development converting two adjoining buildings that had been built for the Australasian Sugar Refining Company in the 1890s and Robert Harper and Company in 1900. The seven apartments were finished and sold in 2007 and since then O’Bryan combined two of the apartments into one townhouse of more than 210 square metres and kept it as his family home.

With plans to head to Bondi, the four-bedroom residence with huge entertaining and living areas, gym and its own courtyard has been listed for November 19 auction. The three-storey property has expectations for more than $1.8 million through Gerald Betts from RT Edgar in Albert Park.

“This property is unique. It’s hard to put a price on it,” says Betts.

In Fitzroy a grand conversion gives little away with its imposing red brick façade. Past the discreet entrance of the Palmer Street property (pictured above)– and its more than 185 square metres of space with a very high-roofed interior. None of the industrial past interior remains, but it has kept the wide-open spaces associated with conversion. It’s scheduled for November 12 auction with $1.1 million plus hopes through Simon Shrimpton with Jellis Craig in Clifton Hill.

In South Yarra the work of artist Stephen Bram and architect James Brearley remains in a 1995 conversion. The 250-square-metre Penny Lane property (pictured above) is on a 112-square-metre block and is being sold as part of a liquidation sale under instruction by Rodgers Reidy Chartered Accountants. Estate agent Michael Major from Sutherland Farrelly East Melbourne is expecting $1.2 million plus at the November 12 auction.

An Abbotsford conversion has kept its rustic charm. The Mollison Street property (pictured above) has three bedrooms and two bathrooms spread over three floors. It’s been listed with Sarah Case through RT Edgar in Toorak and the property is tipped for around $2 million.

A Thornbury two-level warehouse conversion has been listed with a $1.09 million asking price. The three-bedroom Rossmoyne Street home (pictured above) boasts three outdoor areas including one with a pond. Jonathan West from Nelson Alexander Real Estate in Northcote has the listing for the 335-square-metre abode, which sits on a 317-square-metre block.

For stylish warehouse conversions in Sydney, click here.