Tour a restored 1970s modernist home in East Melbourne

Local architect Dale Fisher designed this brick and glass property in the East Melbourne suburb of Balwyn, which has undergone a sympathetic expansion and restoration by architect David Neil, principal of Neil Architecture.

Yarrabat House is a classic example of Fisher’s brand of Australian modernism, built in tactile brick with large, boxy volumes. In 2018, Neil undertook a years-long journey to restore the six-bedroom Melbourne property for his family, refreshing its interiors using colours and finishes to complement the house’s original midcentury feel.

Its internal layout is essentially the same, with original features such as the house’s blackbean timber panelling, open tread timber staircase and glass spiral pendant lighting all intact and made the focal point, accompanied by rose gold fixtures, new cabinetry and Japanese tiling. Polished concrete flooring and expansive glazing round out the look, the latter offering views of the landscaped grounds and new additions.

‘Outside, the brief was to create an outdoor space usable year-round to complement the original house, while adding some structure to the land surrounding the house,’ explains the architect.

Neil built a pavilion separate from the existing house and has zoned the outdoor grounds around a new solar-heated swimming pool running the length of the house. It is screened by walled gardens and planted gardens to the south of the structure, and there’s a new tennis court to the north, as well as a vegetable garden and apiary. The pavilion is an entertainment space with an open fireplace and roof garden.

Sam Wilkinson and Scott Patterson of Kay & Burton are listing agents. The Balwyn spread is set for private auction on Saturday, 11 May 2024, and has an estimate of between $5.7m and $6 m AUD. It’s located in Beckett Park, close to excellent schools plus Beckett Park-Maranoa Gardens, Balwyn cafes and shopping, the Boroondara Sports Complex, and Whitehorse Road trams.