26-06-2025
How an old Melbourne milk bar from the 1930s has been transformed into a breathtaking dream home: 'My jaw dropped'
A 1930s dairy and milk bar in Melbourne has been converted into a multi-residence property - and it's currently on the market for over $3.5million.
The unique property, located in the trendy inner-north suburb of Northcote, has historical significance because it's built inside one of Victoria's very first working milk bars.
The former Centenary Dairy site was originally comprised of a milk bar, a dairy and a service yard.
According to the Victorian Heritage Database, the historic building is a place of 'state importance' because it was a rare example of a 'near intact' building from the 'centenary year of the founding of Melbourne'.
The current owners have painstakingly preserved the heritage listed building, but have reimagined the former milk bar with a modern but respectful renovation.
This included cleverly reconfiguring the 458msq block into - not one - but three separate residences.
The trio of properties, located at the intersection of Heidelberg Road, Westfield Street and Albert Street is now up for sale with the price guide listed as between $3.5million to $3.8million.
The entire lot boasts six-bedrooms, six-bathrooms and two car spaces, with the sellers currently seeking expressions of interest from buyers.
Real estate agent John Catanzariti from Ray White Northcote told FEMAIL that the special property has already attracted plenty of 'keen interest from prospective buyers - but is still currently on the market'.
The Melbourne realtor said buyers were intrigued by the block's numerous unique and fascinating attributes.
At the outset, he said the striking preservation of the 'original dairy' frontage gives the property a standout vintage aesthetic.
He noted that other hallmarks from the dairy's heyday era have also been restored internally, including 'pointed archways, buttresses and a soaring gabled roof'.
The realtor said there's also the interesting prospect of the block, which potentially offers buyers the chance to snap up three residences for the price of one.
The Heidelberg Road entry side, which has the "milk bar" sign at its entrance, has been dubbed 'The Residence'. It has two bedrooms, including a master retreat with ensuite.
Style-wise, 'The Residence' boasts a sleek design-forward look complete with polished concrete floors, a bespoke solid timber kitchen bench, high-end appliances, a luxurious freestanding bathtub and a secluded lush courtyard.
The middle property, dubbed 'The Gallery', was formerly an artist's sanctuary and includes two bedrooms and bathrooms, a living area and a private courtyard.
Style-wise, 'The Gallery' features bold black steel accents and modern finishes.
The last property, referred to as 'The Stable', transports you to another time, with John explaining that the cosy two bedroom space has been kept looking 'as original as possible'.
He explained that this included maintaining elements like the 'hooks that were used to hold down the draft horses and so forth to export milk.'
Interestingly, the three-residence property is also being sold with two titles: 181 Heidelberg Road, Northcote and 12 Westfield Street, Northcote.
These titles also both come with industrial zoning, offering scope and flexibility for further subdivision in the future.
The agent confirmed that the separate but neighbouring residences had caught the attention of multi-generational family buyers, who were charmed by the idea of living nearby their loved ones, while still maintaining their own private and independent residences.
He added that it also presented an interesting prospect to a live-in investor, who could potentially occupy one residence while renting out the remainder.
