A classically built central cottage, with a few surprises behind the facade. Photo: McNeice X.
Though it presents as a quaint cottage-style home, 4 McKenzie Avenue is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Wollongong with plenty of surprises up its sleeve.
Despite a position just a few minutes’ drive from Wollongong CBD, this property boasts a massive block – 1271 sqm – all of which is cleverly used.
“These kinds of blocks this close to Wollongong’s centre are almost all gone. It’s practically the last of its kind,” McNeice X agent Daniel Mulholland says.
“Someone could buy this home as it is, enjoy it for 20 years, then subdivide later. With council approval, you could move the house, add a driveway, subdivide the back of the block and sell it.”
With the amount of space, there’s lots of room to grow but for a buyer looking to just enjoy it as it is, that’s an option too. The backyard space can essentially be split into four distinct zones.
“You have that entertaining deck which practically extends the living room out and is beautifully shaded by an established tree,” Daniel says.
Beyond that is a grassed area with stone retaining walls, surrounded by trees and shrubbery. Then, through a narrow passageway between towering shrubs, is a studio with two rooms.
“One of these rooms is set up as a storage room while the other is ideal as a hobby space or study, where someone could really get some work done without distraction,” Daniel says.
Then, a long lawn area provides plenty of room for kids and dogs to run around, with enough space for footy, cricket or foot races.
“Finally, you come to an elevated observation deck area, which overlooks the whole property and takes in views of the CBD and even a bit of the ocean,” Daniel says.
Not to be outdone, the home itself is as surprising as the backyard.
“The block has a deceptively large amount of land, which you can hardly tell from the front; the house is similarly unpredictable,” Daniel says.
“It presents as a quiet cottage that might be a bit understated on the outside but once you step in the door you realise how wrong you are.”
Inside, all of the living spaces and private bedrooms have been updated, with clean lines, high windows and plenty of light.
Yet this renovation hasn’t undone the features that make classically designed homes like this so charming. Timber accented windows, timber floors and detailed ornamental cornices have been beautifully preserved.
This design language is best exemplified by the living room, with its high windows following the slant of the roof, pulling in plenty of light from the north.
Whoever is lucky enough to call this place home will find that they have all the conveniences of a central location and none of the drawbacks.
“You could walk to the centre of town in about 20 minutes and you could get to the beach in under 10 minutes by car,” Daniel says.
This means easy access to the best dining, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and outdoor leisure in town, all just a few minutes’ drive from home.”
Yet despite that proximity, this property benefits from being on a quiet street, with little through traffic.
“You can’t hear traffic here, you can’t hear the bustle of the city, all you can hear is the rustling of the wind through the trees; it’s a really exceptional combination of access to amenities and peace,” Daniel says.
“And of course you can just head out your back door and instantly be in a garden oasis, with plenty of greenery and established trees.”
Lots of homeowners are on the lookout for an updated, move-in ready home; some want a garden property with space to spread out and plenty want somewhere with investment potential – 4 McKenzie Street is all three.
For more information on 4 McKenzie Street in Wollongong, contact McNeice X agent Daniel Mulholland.
Original Article published by John Murtagh on Region Illawarra.
