Parisian-style apartment in historic Sydney harbourside house and gardens

Description

This high-ceilinged two-room apartment is one of 12 units in a historic harbourside house (1880s) surrounded by lush gardens. It has polished wood floors and a huge (over 2 metres high) window that opens onto your outdoor setting on the verandah, overlooking the private front garden. The apartment was architecturally converted to a large lounge/diningroom and wood-panelled kitchen, off which is a double bedroom and ensuite bathroom. Kitchen has induction stove, oven, microwave, two fridges, dishwasher, espresso coffee machine, Smeg appliances. It is liberally supplied with crockery, glasses, cooking utensils and pantry staples. Apartment is tastefully furnished with vintage burgundy Chesterfield sofa (three-seater) and matching wing chair with ottoman, marble dining table (seats 4), Persian rug, bookcases, a large smart TV and a workspace ‘corridor’ with desk and ergonomic chair. The large kitchen benchtop has a breakfast bar with two stools and plenty of chopping space. Both rooms have efficient ceiling fans. The signature marble fireplace is fitted with an electric heater that resembles a fire. Delicate Tiffany lamps and an eclectic art collection enhance the lounge room, which also features a built-in art installation that reveals the timberwork behind the walls and can be lit in different colours or switched off. The bedroom has a comfortable queen bed, marble-topped bedsides and a built-in wardrobe with plenty of space for clothes etc, plus a heated towel rack. It overlooks an indoor courtyard (belonging to another unit, rarely used). The bathroom has a generous shower cavity and a space to store utilities (vacuum cleaner etc). All residents share a coin-operated laundry with a large washing machine and dryer. It is clean and well maintained, costing $3 a cycle. There are clotheslines in the garden. The magnificent established gardens include tall gum trees, leafy green enclaves and flowering plants, in a paved, enclosed setting with outdoor furniture settings. They are common property and can be used by any resident. A trestle table and extra chairs are stored in the laundry – I use them to host my book club lunch! The generous gardens have direct access to a public park, which leads down to the water. The street is quiet, except at school drop off and pick up times (8.45-9.15a.m, 3-3.30p.m), when the primary school opposite comes alive with children. Balmain East is a small, friendly and safe enclave, situated at the end of a peninsula that adjoins Sydney Harbour. You can see the Sydney Harbour Bridge from our front gate; it’s a 5-minute walk to the Balmain East wharf, where a ferry will take you to Barangaroo (Sydney CBD) in six minutes, or the scenic route passing the Sydney Opera House to Circular Quay (16mins). You can also get a bus (442) at the end of the street to central Sydney (Queen Victoria Building). Our area has a village feel, with a store that stocks fruit and vegetables, groceries, snacks, wine, beer and spirits, a good café, art and craft shops and a friendly local pub, the East Village. There is an excellent pizzeria (Cappello) and at the wharf, The Fenwick offers everything from a coffee and croissant kiosk to a gourmet lunch or dinner. The historic Balmain peninsula is a delight to explore, with diverse architecture from tiny workers’ cottages to grand waterside mansions, endless laneways and wonderful parks. Once an industrial area, Balmain became gentrified in the 1970s. It retains great character and is known for its profusion of classic pubs and an array of shops and restaurants that stretch the 3km length of its thoroughfare, Darling street. The beautifully restored Dawn Fraser baths are the oldest harbour baths in Sydney. NOTE: My apartment is self-contained but also part of a community of residents. We all get along well and respect the house and gardens and each others' privacy and peace. I need to know you're fine with that, so please tell me a little about yourself.