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why so [good]:

way back in 1887 a sprawling plot of land north west of melbourne was carved up and given the regal name of the queensville estate. just off geelong rd, and moments from west footscray train station, the area gradually grew into a vibrant suburb that was later coined kingsville. by the 1930s there was already an eclectic mix of homes on queensville st, each representing the rich architectural history of suburban melbourne.

brenleigh dates back to this inter-war era and although the three-bedroom residence has been updated over the best part of a century, the solid brick house still holds onto some of its art deco heritage. from the high ornate ceilings and beautiful brick mantels to the solid timber doors and floors, brenleigh is a period canvas with plenty of scope to modernise.

beyond its classic portico, the bungalow’s double front doors featuring retro amber bottle glass panels open into a wide entryway. this formal foyer has ample room to make a great first impression, or simply space to store school bags and gumboots. to the right of the entry hall there is a cosy bedroom with a built in wardrobe, while to the left sits a large living room complete with a warming fireplace that has been converted to gas.

the kitchen at the heart of the home ticks all the boxes needed of a modern family with loads of storage, a gas stove top and electric oven, but it also allows the next homeowner to reimagine a whole new zone to suit their future needs. since the kitchen feeds out to a sunroom crowned with a skylight and featuring outdoor access, this area could be turned into a contemporary indoor/outdoor dining space (given the right approvals) for year-round entertaining. for more formal soirees or big family lunches, the kitchen also opens into a spacious dining room with an original fireplace and integrated cabinetry. there are two more bright bedrooms, plus two bathrooms including one with a full bath and another combined with the family laundry.

out the back of the 377sq m block, the northeast-facing level lawn is framed by established fruit trees and to the front of the footprint there is space for off-street parking, a rare find in this quaint suburb. brenleigh is perfectly positioned between seddon and west footscray with public transport nearby as well as local shops, cafes, schools and parks.

its the [good] bones:

it was brenleigh’s [good] bones that attracted the current owners to the charming interwar bungalow. “we saw potential after speaking to the council; they were open to extensions so it shouldn’t be a problem if the new owner wanted to reconfigure it and make a more modern layout. some really [good] memories have been made here, not only in the home but in the suburb. we are looking forward to seeing what the next family make of it,”

- vendor

a [good] opportunity:

“the owners had envisioned renovating brenleigh, however, after a change of plans the three-bedroom blank canvas is ready for its next owner. brenleigh was clearly at one time a diamond in the rough. kingsville is a small patch of dirt that was very much a working-class neighbourhood. you can still see many of its original weatherboard homes, whereas this is double brick so it’s out of character but solid as a rock. the neighbourhood has transformed since a sprawling plot of land northwest of melbourne was carved up in 1887 and given the regal name, the queensville estate. that spot just off geelong rd gradually grew into a vibrant suburb that was later coined kingsville. it’s a really interesting suburb as it’s surrounded by both seddon and yarraville with their village vibes. yarraville is outstanding with the sun theatre, plus a group of very popular restaurants and rooftop bars. seddon is similar, but definitely has its own feel. then you’ve got kingsville which is the next suburb to thrive. predominantly owner-occupied, the locals around kingsville are very house proud. there’s a really good sense of community and the neighbours in this street are awesome. brenleigh itself dates back to the 1930s and although the home has been updated over the years, it still holds onto much of its art deco heritage,”

- huss