155 Church Street, Hawthorn

Integral to Hawthorn’s heritage, this exceptional property was built by local pioneer James Connell as one of the area’s earliest hotels in 1854. A residence from 1866, it has been transformed over the years into one of the inner city’s most handsome landmark homes.

Read more

Integral to Hawthorn’s heritage, this exceptional property was built by local pioneer James Connell as one of the area’s earliest hotels in 1854. A residence from 1866, it has been transformed over the years into one of the inner city’s most handsome landmark homes.

Classical early colonial Regency lines convey period restraint and elegance, complemented by interior spaces which have been intelligently updated to respond with understated style to modern needs.

From the porte cochere one enters an impressive foyer, open to the full two storeys of the building, with an elegant mahogany and cast iron staircase. The foyer leads to an evocative and charming formal drawing room, a quiet book lined study or library, and a grand dining room featuring rare “Zuber” French hand-blocked panoramic wallpaper. Beneath lies a huge cellar which will accommodate not only the wine enthusiast’s dream collection but also a large volume of general storage.

Beyond is a charming central living-room and large contemporary kitchen/meals area leading to a glorious loggia or outdoor room with arched Gothic-revival windows.

Four upstairs bedrooms, including a main bedroom with walk-through dressing room and ensuite, surround a similarly stylish second bathroom and central children’s lounge/retreat with its own separate entrance and external stairway.

Spectacular sub-tropical private gardens and off-street parking from a second frontage to Denham Street are amongst additional lifestyle attractions in this elevated inner city location, with excellent public transport access, perfectly positioned to make the most of Hawthorn, Richmond and the river.