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There’s some incredible homes in Collingwood’s iconic Foy & Gibson complex, but this large three bedroom, two bathroom apartment might just be the building’s best.
The current owners have lived in this three-storey apartment for 12 years, working with ‘genius’ architects The Rexroth Mannasmann Collective to renovate the home.
Rexroth Mannasmann Collective were given free rein over the project, creating an eclectic and theatrical home inspired by Paris’ Opéra Garnier (1861-1875). Their design reworks the idea of a stage, theatre box, foyer, and back-of-house area to introduce playful drama in a residential context.
‘The opulent foyer, the upper levels evoking the private boxes looking down on the performance salon, and back-of-house functionality that does not impinge on the main living areas reflects the design influences,’ say the owners. ‘There is a rich opulence in the finished surfaces, from carpeted and pressed tin walls to the original turned wood joists and wood lined ceilings.’
Adding to the theatrical nature of the space is a custom lighting scheme featuring retrofitted theatre lights, bespoke chandelier, floor lamps, and seven different scenes under the original Oregon-trussed ceilings.
‘It is an impressive space, but also one in which people instantly feel welcome,’ say the owners. ‘The large open kitchen dining living space under a very high ceiling is brilliant for dinner parties and larger gatherings, but is also a warm and inviting space that is flooded with sunshine in the mornings, and calming spots in which to relax and read the paper.
‘Outside the main bedroom, a balcony overlooks the main space. It’s a unique and most enjoyable spot for a conversation or a bath.’ (Did we mention the freestanding bath overlooking the living area?!)
The home’s three bedrooms are defined yet versatile: one on the ground floor featuring a foldaway bed (enabling its alternative use as study or second living room), the second upstairs with a wall of openable French doors and en suite, and another on the very top floor leading to the rooftop terrace.
Add to this a secure car space, and you have one very impressive inner-city Melbourne home!
17/79 Oxford Street, Collingwood, Victoria is listed with Simon Shrimpton at Jellis Craig and goes to auction Saturday June 18 at 1pm.
