Keen Eye On Kew

The Age

Saturday May 14, 2005

SIEW-CHING GOH

PROPERTY REVIEW: Kew 2B Hillcrest Avenue

2B slots nicely into the scene, writes Siew-Ching Goh.

DO NOT be foiled by the 2B address; there is no 2A. This is a stand-alone house, not a townhouse or unit as its address might lead us to surmise. The house is on land that once belonged to its corner neighbour, which retains its Cotham Road address while 2B gets a new, leafy Hillcrest identity.

Behind a low front fence of slatted wood and raw aluminium posts, 2B is preparing to join the leafy brigade. A privacy hedge of sasanqua camellias is partially screening the street-facing glass door and panels, scented magnolias line the driveway to the garage and azaleas are settling into garden beds edging the pebbled front yard.

WHAT THE BUILDER SAYS

The house is constructed to Kew requirements, says the managing director of Glenwood Homes, Glenn Dugdale, who has been building in the Kew/Camberwell/Balwyn belt for more than 15 years.

"I'm a hands-on builder who is on site every day, so quality is assured," says Mr Dugdale, "and I have reliable tradespeople who have been with me all the way."

FLOOR PLANS AND FEATURES

Capped by a hipped, tiled roof, the house takes up almost its full street frontage of 14.4 metres, with a walled courtyard separating it from one neighbour and the garage wall hugging the fenceline with the other. External colours take their cue from the stacked-slate portico, presenting a strong, clean-shaven facade.

Inside, a Sydney bluegum parquetry floor stretches past a formal living room all the way to an open-plan kitchen/family area that opens to a tiled, walled courtyard facing north. Here an overflowing earthen jar stands in for the cup that "runneth over"; something for feng shui followers to decipher. An upstairs balcony follows the lines of the walled courtyard downstairs, creating a sort of winter garden.

Not surprisingly, the study area is the hub of the first floor in this suburb known for some top schools. The main bedroom has double doors opening to the study area, while three other bedrooms connect to it by a short passageway. Thick 50-ounce wool carpets in the upstairs rooms literally put a spring in your step. Features include stone benchtops in the wet areas, Blanco kitchen appliances, gas ducted heating, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, data/TV cabling and double garage with access to the house. Public transport (trams on Cotham Road), private schools and shops are close by.

AUCTION Noon, Saturday, May 21, by Jellis Craig (9818 2222).

INSPECT 1-1.45pm today and 12.45-1.15pm Thursday, May 19.

EXPECT $1.1 million.

© 2005 The Age

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