Brunswick is set for some of its largest apartments ever delivered with the upcoming new development Frith &amp; Howarth, where the apartments are around 20 per cent larger than what has come before it in the sought-after suburb.

Developer Young Group focused its design on Frith &amp; Howarth around size and scale, but within a boutique building, to create a mini neighbourhood within the mid-rise development. There are just 24 apartments in the mid-rise building on Victoria Street, a short walk to Brunswick Station and the cafe and dining strip along Sydney Road.

“We spent hours comparing what’s currently on the market so we could offer genuine points of difference,” Young Group says, pointing to room sizing, storage, and functional planning as key drivers behind the design.

All of the two-bedroom apartments in the building have been snapped up, with just the large three- and four-bedroom apartments, with the biggest floorplans and best outlooks, remaining.

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Apartments open directly into open-plan living zones where full-height glazing draws light deep into the apartment. Sliding doors extend the space outward to terraces, many oriented toward the adjacent park or back toward the city skyline.

Kitchens sit within this central space, anchored by sculptural island benches that reference the building’s faceted exterior language. Storage is integrated across multiple layers, overhead cabinetry, concealed joinery, and, in larger configurations, dedicated sculleries or butler’s pantries.

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The penthouse is the largest ever offered in Brunswick. The penthouse measures nearly 400 sqm all-up, with 242 sqm of internal space complimented by a further 149 sqm of terraces.

It spans the whole top floor and has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and parking for four cars.

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Low maintenance resident amenity has been created in the form of a landscaped rooftop, complete with&nbsp;vegetable plots, outdoor cooking areas, and aflresco dining spaces, designed as a place for neighbours to gather outside of their homes.

“To enable connection with neighbours, generous rooftop gardens with communal spaces and outdoor cooking areas offer a chance to develop a sense of community,” says John Patrick, Principal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick Landscape Architects</a>.&nbsp;

“Private open spaces with a selection of native and exotic plantings and gorgeous city views on the rooftop create a high-end aesthetic, with a low maintenance lifestyle. The perfect balance, so that residents can enjoy a serene living space.”

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Sustainability is embedded at both the building and apartment level. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/frith-howarth-288-290-victoria-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Frith &amp; Howarth</a> is one of only a small number of all-electric residential developments in Brunswick, supported by solar infrastructure, EV-ready parking, and high-performance glazing. These measures sit alongside less visible systems such as rainwater reuse and high-grade insulation, reducing long-term operational costs while maintaining consistent internal conditions.

Positioned within walking distance of Brunswick Station, Route 96 trams, and established retail along Sydney Road and Barkly Square, the development balances access to transport with proximity to open space, a combination that has become increasingly difficult to secure in inner-city sites.

“These exquisite homes are nestled in a culturally diverse neighbourhood, with parklands and nature right on your doorstep,” says Young Group.

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Joel Robinson

Frith & Howarth to deliver Brunswick’s largest apartments

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> in Brunswick is entering its final stages of construction, with the removal of the project’s last tower crane and the unveiling of the building’s full façade marking a significant milestone ahead of completion this coming spring.

The Park Street development, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>&nbsp;and Mirvac Design with landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jack-merlo">Jack Merlo</a>, is now largely structurally complete, with internal works progressing across the 169-apartment project opposite Princes Park.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/mirvac-construction">Mirvac Construction</a> Project Manager Sam Payne said the latest update reflects a transition from structure to refinement.

“Since our last update, all façade panels have been installed and the scaffolding and gantry has come down, unveiling the building in its full form for the very first time,” Payne said.

“A significant milestone was reached this month with the removal of our final tower crane, signalling the completion of major structural works and a pivotal step forward in the building’s transformation.”

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Apartments are now well advanced internally, with joinery completed to level eight and tiling to level six, alongside the delivery of a prototype apartment used to set the benchmark for the remaining residences.

This next phase coincides with the release of a completed furnished residence, styled by MCM House, and the introduction of private buyer tours, giving purchasers a clearer understanding of the finished product ahead of settlement.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> will comprise 169 one to four-bedroom apartments, with completion targeted for early spring. Interiors focus on natural materials and muted tones with two design schemes, while kitchens and bathrooms adopt a restrained palette anchored by stone, timber and textured finishes.

Bates Smart Director Jeffery Copolov said the project reflects a shared design direction centred on liveability and sustainability.

“Blending Mirvac and Bates Smart’s focus on wellness and sustainability, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> offers a new kind of conscious, elevated living in Melbourne’s inner north,” Copolov said.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> presents Mirvac's third parkside collaboration with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>&nbsp;in Victoria.&nbsp;Their previous collaborations delivered two of the city’s landmark apartment buildings: The Melburnian opposite Kings Domain and The Eastbourne on Fitzroy Gardens.

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A key focus of the development is its landscape-led amenity offering. The central courtyard, spanning around 600 sqm, will feature established trees and planting grown off-site, alongside communal lawns and seating areas designed for everyday use.

Development Manager James Gardner said the outdoor spaces are central to the project’s lifestyle positioning.

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> isn’t just a home, it’s a complete lifestyle offering, and the resident amenity is just one example of the elevated living experience the soon-to-be-complete building will be known for,” Gardner said.

The courtyard connects to a series of shared indoor and outdoor spaces, including a residents’ lounge, dining room, library and secondary west-facing garden area, designed as extensions of the apartments themselves.

Located directly opposite Princes Park and around four kilometres from the CBD, the development places residents within one of Melbourne’s most established inner-north precincts, with access to open space, transport and the retail and hospitality offerings of Brunswick and Carlton.

With façade works complete and landscaping and final finishes now underway, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> is moving into its most active construction phase, with permanent services and external works to be finalised in the coming months ahead of completion in spring.

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Mirvac’s latest landmark, Prince & Parade Brunswick, enters final construction phase

Boutique Perth developer ADC has unveiled its latest project.

The developer, which focuses on bringing apartments to some of Perth's most premium inner-city and riverside suburbs, has launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/mos-lane-mosman-park-46-manning-street-mosman-park-wa-6012">Mos Lane</a>, 68 luxury apartments and townhouses in the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mosman-park-wa-6012">Mosman Park</a>.

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Alongside the one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, the development will also include five two-level townhomes and two luxe penthouses. ADC is also introducing a significant retail offering for residents through Mos Lane Village, which will feature a wellness studio, fish and chips shop, barber, and florist, adding a layer of amenity not typically found in the predominantly residential Mosman Park area.

Construction has already commenced on the project, which sits just a short walk from the Swan River, Mosman Park Bowls Club, and Mosman Park Golf Course.

House Agency Directors Tom House and Lachlan McDonald say they are fielding the majority of buyer interest from local downsizers, as well as buyers with a long-standing affinity for Mosman Park.
</section>

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Mos Lane will comprise two buildings; Samson House and Manning House, which have been designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nelson-koo">Nelson + Koo</a>, an emerging design consultancy specialising in the masterplanning and design of mixed use places and spaces.

The two buildings adopt distinct architectural responses to their surroundings. Manning House references the strong roof forms of nearby homes, with floorplates oriented to maximise light and long-range views, while Samson House is organised around a central atrium designed to bring daylight deep into the building and create a greater sense of openness.

At ground level, the inclusion of five townhomes introduces a typology more commonly associated with Mosman Park’s established streets, each with private courtyards and direct frontage, offering a transition between traditional housing and apartment living.

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Interiors have been led by Melbourne-based Hecker Guthrie, with an emphasis on practical, long-term liveability. Residences incorporate sculpted joinery, generous storage and flexible multi-purpose rooms that can adapt to changing household needs, whether for working from home, guest accommodation or additional living space.

Material selections draw on a restrained palette of textured stone, timber and neutral tones, with options for lighter or darker schemes. Detailing such as fluted glass, full-height joinery and integrated appliances is intended to balance functionality with a more refined residential finish.

Outdoor spaces are a consistent feature across the development, with balconies and terraces designed for dining and entertaining, and larger apartments incorporating outdoor kitchens. Orientation has been considered to allow residents to choose between morning or afternoon sun, while mature street trees and landscaped communal areas contribute to a softer streetscape.

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Shared amenities are positioned to support both day-to-day convenience and occasional use. These include a private dining room with a caterer’s kitchen, alfresco entertaining areas, and a bookable guest suite for visiting friends and family. Additional practical features such as a resident workshop, storage facilities, car and pet wash areas, and concierge-style services for cleaning and dry-cleaning collection reflect a focus on usability.

Positioned between the Swan River and Cottesloe Beach, and within reach of schools such as Iona Presentation College and St Hilda’s Anglican School, the development is aimed at a broad buyer group, from downsizers seeking a lower-maintenance alternative to larger homes, through to local residents looking to remain in the area in a different housing format.

Mos Lane represents one of the more significant additions to Mosman Park’s limited pipeline, combining new housing supply with a village-style retail centre in a suburb where opportunities for large-scale redevelopment are relatively constrained.

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Living village precinct set for Mosman Park as ADC launches Mos Lane

An entity linked to I&amp;D Group Founder Ivan Filipović has filed plans for a new residential development at 188–202 Swan Street in Cremorne, targeting a prominent site within the tightly held Swan Street activity corridor.

The proposal seeks to redevelop the consolidated Swan Street landholding into a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/188-202-swan-street-cremorne-vic-3121">high-density mixed-use project</a>, replacing a series of existing commercial buildings with a significantly scaled residential outcome. The planning submission positions the development as a response to increasing demand for housing in well-connected inner-urban locations, particularly within established activity centres.

Plans outline the construction of a 14-storey building delivering 165 apartments above a four-level basement, alongside a ground-floor retail and commercial offering designed to activate the streetscape. A key feature of the scheme is a new north–south pedestrian link connecting Swan Street to Railway Place, intended to “enhance permeability and provide an active, publicly accessible connection through the site.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7332a8f8-dd2b-483d-b86e-320658838c84" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne.png?VersionId=cXm8vAaRdHh.LpYVbecrRkjckgu9mtAF" />

The development will retain part of the existing built form at 198–200 Swan Street, while the remainder of the site will be cleared to accommodate the new structure. Basement levels will provide 196 car spaces and 113 bicycle spaces, with vehicle access from Railway Place. Communal amenity is distributed across the building, including a shared outdoor area on Level 1 and a rooftop terrace for residents.

Ground level uses include retail tenancies fronting Swan Street and the pedestrian link, a residential lobby, and a flexible commercial space positioned to support community-oriented uses. The planning report notes this space “could be offered as a flexible space within the development for community groups,” supporting short-term or longer-term occupancy arrangements.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8208bf7b-cc67-485d-ad0f-1d73a74c907f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne%20lane.png?VersionId=69ctjC0txXv0zCHy7qQUpJyGwvPAT7gw" />

The site sits within the Swan Street Major Activity Centre, surrounded by a mix of retail, hospitality, and emerging residential development, and directly opposite tram services along Swan Street. East Richmond Station is located to the south, providing strong rail connectivity, while the broader Cremorne precinct continues to evolve as a mixed-use hub.

I&amp;D Group, founded by Ivan Filipović, is regarded as one of Victoria’s largest formwork contractors, partnering with major construction firms across large-scale public and private developments. The Swan Street proposal signals a move into development-backed opportunities tied to strategic inner-city sites.

First Look: Plans lodged for Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street

An ultra-luxury absolute beachfront tower on the Gold Coast’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/main-beach-qld-4217">Main Beach</a> has officially hit the market, having secured over $150 million in presales.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/le-r-ve-main-beach-3555-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">Le Rêve</a>, delivered by developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/odus">ODUS</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/nazero">Nazero</a> in partnership with Metrics Credit Partners, comprises 40 opulent half and full-floor residences, perched directly on the dunes, starting from $7.45 million.

Pre-launch sales have achieved an average price tag of $8 million, highlighting strong demand from top-end buyers.

The 26-storey project at 3555 Main Beach Parade has development approval and is under construction, with completion anticipated by early 2028.

Occupying a 1,355 sqm site, Le Rêve enjoys double the beach frontage of most Main Beach towers, an incredible 30-metres, with generous 4.5-metre setbacks.

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ODUS director Byron Sakha said it offered a rare opportunity for wide, uninterrupted views that could never be built out, on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

“Le Rêve is French for ‘the dream’ and that’s what this location represents. We believe it is the best new development site anywhere on the Gold Coast; a dream site,” said Sakha.

“The apartments are located directly on the beachfront, with no roads or paths between, providing panoramic ocean views and direct access to the sand, and because it is elevated above the dunes, it also offers unrivalled privacy.

“We’ve worked with architect Bayden Goddard of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bgd-architects">BGD Architects</a> to enhance the original design, with a distinctive, elegant glass façade, world-class amenities, and the addition of eight residences. Le Rêve’s 30-metres of absolute beach frontage affords a view from virtually every room, and has allowed us to provide a grand 25-metre residents’ beachfront pool and private lawn.

“Buyers have recognised these opportunities are few and far between and have been quick to secure their place in Le Rêve.”

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The apartments start from nearly 300 sqm and range in size up to 900 sqm, with three or four bedrooms and multiple living spaces.

“The emphasis is on the view, with full-floor glazing, sleek glass balustrades and wrap-around balconies that are close to 4-metres wide, blurring the lines between inside and out, and inviting cooling ocean breezes,” Sakha added.

“The interiors epitomise understated luxury with natural materials, textures and tones including Taj Mahal stone, oak flooring, recessed LED lighting and high ceilings. Outside, its beautiful arched façade with glass balconies and double-storey curved podium will be complemented by lush, cascading landscaping that enhances Main Beach’s streetscape.”

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OTP Group Director James Elliott, who is selling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/le-r-ve-main-beach-3555-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">Le Rêve</a>, said buyers were from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and predominately moving from luxury stand-alone homes or purchasing as a holiday home.

“We are anticipating sales will continue to ramp up now we’re officially on the market and design enhancements have been finalised,” Elliott said.

“Le Rêve offers house-sized residences that take luxury living to the next level, in an unrivalled location, with exceptional onsite resident amenities.

“The facilities are some of the most unique on the Gold Coast, if not Australia-wide, with a huge beachfront pool and wellness amenities including a cold plunge pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym and yoga studio, along with a teppanyaki kitchen, and private residents’ lounge."

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Le Rêve development site was secured for $55.68 million in mid-2025.

ODUS and Nazero are also developing the adjacent 29-level La Mer tower in partnership with Metrics Credit Partners, which is earmarked for completion in late 2026. A fully completed prototype apartment is now available for private inspection.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112163]

Le Rêve Main Beach launches with $152 million in presales

Mid Century Modern

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An updated mid century modern home in Novar Gardens has sold for $573,000.
Inside the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home, parquetry floors flow underfoot in the combined living, dining and kitchen area where a vertical feature room divider defines the space.
The kitchen is charming with timber bench tops, a feature tile breakfast bar and a dishwasher, plus plenty of storage in the white cabinetry. There is a second living room with a study nook and easy access to two bedrooms with built-in robes.
Outside, a single carport and a garden shed are on offer, as well as gardens and a sunny patio.
Nestled next to The Glenelg Golf Club, Immanuel College and with cosmopolitan Jetty Road a short walk it is situated at 54 St Andrews Crescent.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%204.51.14%20pm.png" alt="">
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Mid century modern trophy home in Novar Gardens sold

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A newly renovated, single level mid-century Beaumaris trophy home has sold for $1.65 million.
Situated on 696 sqm, this open plan home features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and separate laundry.
Plus new carpets and restored Tasmanian oak flooring throughout; Ducted heating and AC are also key features.
This property is describe as a slice of the fab 1960's, updated for modern living.
It is located metres from the zoned Beaumaris Secondary college, Beaumaris Primary, Stella Maris; bayside beaches; iconic golf courses; local parklands and Concourse shopping village.
Situated at 145 Dalgetty Road, the home sold in late July. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%204.41.40%20pm.png" alt="">
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Mid century modern Beaumaris trophy home sold

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A mid century modern home in Anglesea has successfully sold for its asking price of $1.425 million.
The four bedroom, two bathroom home is a blend of existing 1950s property designed by Jane Millar architects.
This modernist style home at 27 Holmwood Avenue is known as "Holmwood".
With direct outdoor access to an impressive generous north facing rear deck which is ideal for soaking up the sun, it's described as a private oasis. A double carport, laundry and storage are located under the living and dining addition.
The fully landscaped garden featuring stonework attracts visiting wildlife and native birds.
This coastal home is set in a highly sought after location within walking distance of the surf beach, river, golf course, cafes and Anglesea's shopping village.
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Mid century modern Holmwood in Anglesea sold

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Sky News presenter Jacinta Tynan saw just the one bid for her mid-century modern-style Mosman home at its weekend auction. The home was passed in at $2.9 million.
Just the two registered bidders were spoken to at the onsite auction.
Buyers had been quoted a guide of $3 million to $3.3 million through the marketing campaign. Tynan, who has been at Sky since 2004, bought the home for $1.8 million in 2011 with her then-partner, funds manager Liam Timms.
There were Corben Architect plans for buyer perusal commissioned by the listing agency Di Jones.
The classic 1960s home sits on what was an unnamed bushland dirt track until a mid-1950s housing boom.
Set on an 820sqm block, the home with no heritage protection has four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Tynan joined Sky having previously been at the ABC.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Just one bidder sees Jacinta Tynan's Mosman home passed in

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GUEST OBSERVATION 
Of all the mantras for modernism, the one I think most befitting for Australian mid-century modern houses is <a href="http://arti.sba.uniroma3.it/esprit/" target="_blank">L'esprit Nouveau</a> – The New Spirit. These houses represented more than style; they reflected a new Australian spirit that emerged in the postwar era.
Modernism was established in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. An intentional shift away from classical tradition, it was informed by new technology and mass production. While early modernism was weighed down by the avant garde and elitism, mid-century modernism - which includes architecture from the 1950s to the late 1970s - became accessible and was embraced internationally.
The current resurgence in popularity of mid-century modern houses in Australia has been spurred by websites such as <a href="https://modernistaustralia.com" target="_blank">Modernist Australia</a>, social media groups for “MCM” enthusiasts, <a href="https://www.heide.com.au/exhibitions/design-life-grant-and-mary-featherston" target="_blank">public exhibitions</a>, and even real estate agents dedicated to selling the <a href="http://www.modernhouse.co/" target="_blank">Modern House</a>.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/283628/original/file-20190711-173325-1ewrzm7.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/283628/original/file-20190711-173325-1ewrzm7.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a> 
Boyd House, Walsh Street, South Yarra 1958. Architect: Robin Boyd. Photograph: Mark Strizic, c.1965 Mark Strizic Collection State Library Victoria Melbourne © Estate of Mark Strizic
 
A fascination with mid-century modernism has also been explored in the two-part documentary <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/streets-of-your-town/" target="_blank">Streets of Your Town</a>, hosted by comedian and self-proclaimed “architecture tragic” <a href="https://www.timross.com.au" target="_blank">Tim Ross</a>. He describes how the popularity of these houses was underpinned by purpose as much as style:
<blockquote>
Modernism may have had its birth in Europe and its glamour in America but I think it found its egalitarian purpose, unrivalled anywhere else in the world, in Australia’s suburbs.
</blockquote>
Some enthusiasts point to the television series <a href="https://www.curbed.com/2017/11/22/16690454/midcentury-modern-design-mad-men-eames" target="_blank">Mad Men</a> as the catalyst for international mid-century modern revivalism. But visual culture has also been central to its popularity in Australia. As these homes emerged, so too did the suburbs, which became the setting for much of Australian television and theatre.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/283813/original/file-20190712-173329-9h3dfz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/283813/original/file-20190712-173329-9h3dfz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
The hit TV series Mad Men is closely associated with the global revival of mid-century modern style. IMDB
I think this is central to the popularity of these houses. Even if you didn’t grow up in one, you probably watched a family who did on television.
I grew up in a late 70s, mid-century modern home. It was designed by a draftsperson, not an architect, but featured many of the design elements commonly associated with the style. Just like the Kerrigan family in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf8AjYvQZmE" target="_blank">The Castle</a> we had a pool room, complete with a purpose-built bar.
Mid-century modern in pop culture
Early 20th century Australian architecture, especially during the interwar period, had been burdened with the nationalistic desire to create a distinctly Australian house.
In the postwar era, however, the cultural landscape shifted from the wide brown land to the interior of our suburbs, and especially our homes. Australian culture was motivated by the kind of self-consciousness often associated with modernism. This was reflected in mid-century modern houses, with their humble facades and efficient planning.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/265717/original/file-20190325-36273-1dwpj9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/265717/original/file-20190325-36273-1dwpj9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Image of interior of a Royal Victorian Institute of Architects Small Home Services House, designed in conjuction with the Age newspaper, 1955. <a class="source" href="http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1758927" target="_blank">Photo: Wolfgang Sievers. Pictures Collection, State Library Victoria</a>
Ray Lawler’s 1955 play <a href="https://australianplays.org/script/CP-2584" target="_blank">Summer of the 17th Doll</a> exemplifies this shift and is considered to be the first Australian play to be set inside a house. Around the same time, in 1956, Melbourne was hosting the Olympic Games, and with a shortage of hotel accommodation, families were asked to billet athletes. This placed Australian homes, in a very real sense, on an international stage.
It was this event that inspired the character <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/dame-edna-60-years-of-megastardom-20151211-glliea" target="_blank">Mrs Norman Everage</a> (later Dame Edna Everage) of Moonee Ponds. The first Edna Everage show revolved around her domestic preparations for international guests in the lead up the 1956 Games. Barry Humphries then took a satirical view of Australian domesticity to an international audience.
Humphries’ critical view on Australian life, alongside books such as David Horne’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3305564-the-lucky-country?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Lucky Country</a> (1964) and architect Robin Boyd’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2479687.The_Australian_Ugliness?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Australian Ugliness</a> (1960), represented a <a href="https://www.themonthly.com.au/books-peter-conrad-coming-age-peter-conrad-robin-boyd-s-australian-ugliness-fifty-years-2175" target="_blank">maturing</a> of Australian culture, which emerged from critical reflections on our position in the world through art, architecture, literature and film.
Boyd and Humphries shared an enduring friendship, and there are many <a href="https://griffithreview.com/articles/a-preposterous-life/" target="_blank">overlaps</a> in their critique of Australian domesticity. Boyd’s work has undoubtedly been at the centre of the current mid-century modern revival. The attention it attracts is not just about his architecture, <a href="https://placesjournal.org/article/revisiting-robin-boyds-anti-architecture/?cn-reloaded=1" target="_blank">but also the sentiments that informed it</a>. For Boyd, architecture was not an isolated discipline, rather it possessed the capacity to shape, and be shaped by, broader social, political, economic and cultural ideas.
Boyd was instrumental in setting up the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-14/treasure-trove-small-homes-helped-deliver-great-australian-dream/9861204" target="_blank">Small Home Service in 1947</a>, which delivered designs for modern, small, flexible, and affordable homes in response to postwar housing shortages. It is probably this aspect of his work that resonates the most – a solution to housing inefficiencies led by professionals for the greater good, not financial greed.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/264275/original/file-20190318-28483-1izrisg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/264275/original/file-20190318-28483-1izrisg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Brochure of Royal New South Wales Institute of Architects Small Homes Services Catalogue. <a class="source" href="http://collection.hht.net.au/firsthht/fullRecord.jsp?recnoListAttr=recnoList&amp;recno=7433" target="_blank">Caroline Simpson Library &amp; Research Collection, Sydney Living Museums</a>
Great Australian party houses
Of course, there is much to admire about Boyd’s designs, and those of the other architects working for the Small Home Service. Externally, the designs were refined and simple. Australian mid-century modern houses are unique with their pitched roofs in contrast to the flat roofs found in America and Europe. They introduced open plan living areas, a move away from a series of rooms connected by hallways.
This openness brought more light into living spaces, as did bigger windows and glass sliding doors that connected inside and outside. And, as Ross’ book <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-rumpus-room-tim-ross/prod9780646969886" target="_blank">The Rumpus Room, And other stories from the suburbs</a> (2017) describes, this openness made them great Australian party houses.
Made of prefabricated elements, these houses were a builders’ delight - and affordable. By the 1960s, most large building companies, including AV Jennings offered a range of such houses for sale.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/264274/original/file-20190318-28471-1g8ml61.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/264274/original/file-20190318-28471-1g8ml61.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
AV Jenning Homes Brochure 1960s. AV Jennings
This year marks <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-18/1969-federal-election-was-comedy-of-errors-in-tally-room/11124594" target="_blank">50 years since the election party</a> that inspired David Williamson’s play <a href="https://australianplays.org/script/CP-187" target="_blank">Don’s Party</a> (1971). Williamson drew inspiration from his AV Jennings Type 15 home, built in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora in the 1960s.
In 2011, I asked him how his home had influenced the writing of Don’s Party. He told me:
<blockquote>
a feature of these houses was the openness and connectedness of the living, dining and kitchen areas with the bedrooms down a corridor at the back. This openness allowed one to think of a set design. It was good for the dramatic structure. I drew a floor plan and had the characters’ names on slips of paper which I slid around the floor plan so I knew who was where at any particular time.
</blockquote>
Williamson’s reflections show how these houses were a literal backdrop to writers and performers at the time.
The 1976 film Don’s Party was shot in a house built by Australian company Pettit and Sevitt, founded in 1961. Its design, known as the “Lowline”, was created by architects Ken Woolley and Michael Dysart.
Like the Small Homes Service, Pettit and Sevitt aimed to build good quality, affordable, architect-designed homes. Forty years after closing their business, they have <a href="https://www.pettitandsevitt.com.au" target="_blank">recently re-opened it</a>, such is the current enthusiasm for mid-century modernism.
It seems obvious that the combination of affordability and well designed homes is an irresistible quality. However, the popularity of mid-century homes, - both then and now - runs much deeper. I would argue that they are also a reflection of a nation quietly contemplating its place in the world.
The problem child of heritage
The rise of the mid-century modern house unfortunately coincided with the modernist urban planning principles that resulted in car dependent, low density suburbs on the outskirts of cities. The sprawling nature of these suburbs has contributed to the housing stress many Australians currently experience.
The location of these houses, along with their larger lot sizes, means many have now been demolished and replaced with higher density developments. There is now a sense of urgency about their protection and conservation.
Professor Philip Goad from the University of Melbourne describes modernism as the “<a href="https://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/Unloved-over-loved-or-just-misunderstood-Modern-architecture-%E2%80%93-the-problem-child-of-heritage-vol-25-no-1.pdf" target="_blank">problem child of heritage</a>”. By this he means, it belongs to an era that has surely passed by, but is too young to be broadly admired as built heritage.
Publications such as <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.bookdepository.com/Designer-Suburbs-Judith-OCallaghan/9781742233468" target="_blank">Designer Suburbs</a>, <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/hot-modernism-macarthur-john/prod9781908967589" target="_blank">Hot Modernism</a>, <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-modern-hannah-lewi/prod9781760760151?source=pla&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzNaBppK44wIVkoRwCh0QAwnYEAQYASABEgJUDfD_BwE">Australia Modern</a>, <a href="https://uwap.uwa.edu.au/products/an-unfinished-experiment-in-living-australian-houses-1950-65" target="_blank">An Unfinished Experiment in Living</a>, and <a href="https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/other-moderns/" target="_blank">The Other Moderns</a> have highlighted the broader cultural value of these houses. This has also been part of the mission of the <a href="https://robinboyd.org.au" target="_blank">Robin Boyd Foundation</a>, which has conserved Boyd’s iconic Walsh Street House.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/283627/original/file-20190711-173338-ix2qqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/283627/original/file-20190711-173338-ix2qqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a> B
oyd House, Walsh Street, South Yarra 1958. Architect: Robin Boyd. Photograph: John Gollings, 2012 © John Gollings
This year marks 100 years since Boyd’s birth. In August, an exhibition at Melbourne’s <a href="https://www.heide.com.au/exhibitions/robin-boyd-design-legend-0" target="_blank">Heide Museum of Modern Art</a> will celebrate ten of his most iconic houses. The exhibition aims to share Boyd’s “<a href="https://www.heide.com.au/exhibitions/robin-boyd-design-legend-0" target="_blank">humanist belief that good design can improve people’s lives and the world we live in</a>”, capturing both the ethos of mid-century modern and the sense of nostalgia that now surrounds it.
Very few surveys of mid-century modern houses in Australian suburbs exist. In 2018, Bayside Council in Melbourne started a heritage survey of them in the suburbs of <a href="https://architectureau.com/articles/melbourne-council-begins-survey-of-one-of-australias-densest-concentrations-of-mid-century-modernist-homes/" target="_blank">Beaumaris and Black Rock</a>. Unfortunately, less than a year later, council had <a href="https://architectureau.com/articles/melbourne-council-dumps-survey-of-one-of-australias-densest-concentrations-of-mid-century-modernist-architecture/" target="_blank">abandoned the project</a>.
The connection between Australia’s mid-century modern houses and popular culture demonstrates their cultural and heritage value. However, heritage is not simply determined by perceived aesthetic merit – it also needs to address <a href="https://www.icomos.org/risk/2002/20th2002.htm" target="_blank">practical issues</a> such as the maintenance of building materials, as well as good planning principles.
The efforts of mid-century modern enthusiasts have produced greater awareness of the cultural significance of these buildings. In time, they should secure the same heritage protection afforded to other architectural styles.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/113363/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kirsty-volz-384905" target="_blank">Kirsty Volz</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805" target="_blank">The University of Queensland</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-why-old-is-new-again-the-mid-century-homes-made-famous-by-dons-party-and-dame-edna-113363" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Why old is new again - the mid-century homes made famous by Don’s Party and Dame Edna: Kirsty Volz

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The Summerhouse, an original 1960s Currumbin Beach house, is under contract, selling for just the second time in 50 years.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-currumbin-129878806" target="_blank">32 Panorama Drive, Currumbin</a>, the home came with a price guide of $1.85 million.
Set on a 607 square metre block adjoining reserve (never to be build out) the north facing home enjoys views of the golden arc of Palm Beach, Burleigh Headland, Surfers Paradise skyline, and Stradbroke Island.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/29/Currumbin%202.JPG" alt="">
Built in 1950, the five bedroom four bathroom residence has been renovated and extended, drawing on "elements of the family holiday home in the South of France".
Featuring a covered deck, sandstone entertaining terrace, garden and an integrated sparkling blue pool the home has it's original brushbox hardwood flooring
The three car garage has bespoke double gates.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/29/Currumbin%203.JPG" alt="">
Located a 10 minute walk from Currumbin Beach, and within easy access of schools, shops, John Flynn Hospital  and the Gold Coast Airport the home is a 45 minute drive from Byron Bay.
It last sold at auction in 2010 for $664,000
The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/currumbin-qld-4223">Currumbin</a> is $823,043, according to CoreLogic.
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1950s Currumbin Beach house under contract

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Lara, a mid-century modern Walkerville homestead set on 56 acres, has been listed with a price guide of $975,000.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-vic-walkerville-7995606" target="_blank">365 McBurnie and Boags Road</a> the property has a number of farm assets accompanying.
These include stock yards, four bay machinery shed, five paddocks and five acres of bush with 10 Mile Creek. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/12/Walkerville%202.JPG" alt="">
The five bedroom three bathroom residence, constructed of brick, is set along a ti-tree tunnel driveway (pictured above).
Featuring floor to ceiling windows throughout the home overlooks open gardens and private rural vistas.
With and open plan kitchen/family room, the holding includes an office plus semi attached work room that could be a granny flat/studio.
It has a tennis court. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/12/Walkerville%203.JPG" alt="">
The home last traded for $692,000 in 2005.
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Walkerville home on 56 acres listed for $975,000

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The Four Winds, a 1950s modernist Blairgowrie beach house, has been sold for $1.47 million.
Located at 57 Hughes Road, it is right in the middle of the narrowest arm of the Mornington Peninsula.
The three bedroom two bathroom home comprises four living areas including an open plan kitchen dining room.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/12/4%20Winds%202.JPG" alt="">
Four Winds is described in the listing as "Oozing 50s/60s designer flair".
Set on 1,100 square metres the residence is located 800 metres from the ocean and minutes from Koonya Back Beach, Koonya General Store plus the bay beach.
It features a newly renovated kitchen but retains original features such as the gold-trimmed master bedroom cabinetry, pink bath and shower, tiling and more.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/12/4%20Winds%203.JPG" alt="">
Last sold in 2015 it traded at $930,000.
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