Melbourne cottage dubbed the 'worst house on the best street' undergoes spectacular makeover - adding millions of dollars in value: 'It sold in just 11 days'

Daily Mail​

22-06-2025

Melbourne 's inner-city suburb of Northcote has had its very own Cinderella story property glow-up, leaving both buyers and locals stunned.
The unassuming weatherboard cottage, once dubbed 'the worst house on the best street', has just sold for $3.6million after an extraordinary architectural makeover.
The original, humble two-bedroom home in Northcote was purchased over a decade ago for just $935,000, on a block of land that was far from charming.
However, after an ambitious knockdown and rebuild, it's now one of the inner north's most enviable residences - and for good reason.
The Melbourne couple who lived in the property from 2013 until 2023 decided to roll the dice and go big, demolishing the tired, outdated home and replacing it completely.
'I sold it to them in 2013 when it was just a little bungalow,' said Sam Rigopoulos, Director and Auctioneer at Jellis Craig Northcote in Victoria.
'That's until they knocked it over and built this new house a couple of years ago.
'It was their plan to do that,' he added. 'They really enjoyed the process and are keen to do it again.'
Unsurprisingly, the home was snapped up in June - just 11 days after hitting the market.
With an already impressive price guide of $3.3–$3.5million, the recent sale fetched $100,000 over that, thanks to fierce competition from eager buyers.
'They did well,' Rigopoulos said. 'The land on its own had its own growth journey, and then they improved the capital on the block as well.'
'The entry-level on the land would be about $1.8million now to buy that block again.'
The couple engaged Hartman Construction to bring their vision to life, and the result is a designer dream home oozing style, craftsmanship and inner-city luxury.
On a 400 sqm block, the two-storey property now boasts exposed brickwork, polished concrete floors, and a chef-worthy kitchen with premium NEFF appliances - including an integrated Liebherr fridge/freezer and Blanco double sink.
It also features an entertainer's haven outside, complete with a built-in BBQ, wood-fired pizza oven and sparkling lap pool.
Inside, the home includes a dedicated office, an upstairs retreat with private balcony, a kitchen and diner with large wine fridge, and even a two-level double garage with rear lane access and space for a home gym or workshop.
Despite the hefty price tag, Rigopoulos said the new owners - a local family who had been house hunting for 18 months - were thrilled to finally secure their dream home after missing out on two other properties.
'It's a really good pocket, very well positioned… right in the thick of everything,' he added.
While the exact renovation costs remain under wraps, the rise in land value alone proves that timing and great vision really are everything.
The original home's modest exterior once blended in quietly with the rest of the street, but it's now a true architectural showpiece, drawing admiration from passersby and online viewers alike.
'This one really stands apart because of that nice brick foundation, and then the architecturally striking box on the top that has this really nice white timber screening,' Rigopoulos said.
He also mentioned that the uniqueness of this design sets it apart from other 'all-white' builds that follow a rather mundane formula that 'everyone's getting a bit sick of'.
'They're all quite stark, and there's almost too many of them in the market now - they're getting a little bit long in the tooth.'
In contrast, this home 'looks distinctly different' thanks to its beautiful landscaping, timber aspects and exposed warm bricks.
Every bathroom and bedroom in the home embraces a timeless neutral aesthetic, creating a sense of calm, cohesion and understated luxury throughout - especially with the matching wood panelling
Photos of the before and after are hard to believe, with the previous bungalow's outdated kitchen, design and furniture.
From ugly duckling to a multi-million-dollar masterpiece, the transformation is certainly impressive.
'I really like the upstairs section as it kind of zig-zags when you're looking at the property from the outside,' Rigopoulos said.
'I think that part is quite striking - whether you're looking at it from the front of the house, the pool or the back - it makes it feel really well considered and quite different.'
Every bathroom and bedroom in the home embraces a timeless neutral aesthetic, creating a sense of calm, cohesion and understated luxury throughout - especially with the matching wood panelling.
Soft earthy tones, layered textures and elegant wooden finishes elevate each space, showcasing an interior style that's both contemporary and refined.
The bathrooms are now fully tiled with sleek stone surfaces, floating vanities and brushed tapware that reflect the home's architectural finesse.
Meanwhile, the bedrooms have been styled with a designer's eye: plush grey carpets, subtle lighting, integrated study nooks, built-in robes, and flat-screen televisions flush against the wall.
The home that was once named 'the worst' is now a benchmark for luxury living in Northcote - and a dream come true for its proud new owners.
In a market where cookie-cutter homes are losing their shine, this bespoke build has not only turned heads but set a new standard for what's possible when you think outside the box.