When this sweet first-apartment crossed our inboxes, we were instantly enamoured. It’s just one of those old school apartments with great bones, that feels like a real homey-home.

The original 1960s building was renovated in the 80s – and many of the current residents have remained since then! ‘The flat was in great condition when we bought it, as the previous owners had renovated it already’, says current owner Alice Hardie-Grant. The previous reno included a new bathroom with a rain shower (dream), and Alice and her husband Liam added a fresh lick of paint and custom-inbuilt shelves designed by friend Anouska Milstein to accommodate all their books and a record player, as well as lots of other functional updates along the way.

Alice and Liam’s local haunt is beloved neighbourhood pastry and coffee staple Wildlife Bakery, and access to nature is also only a short stroll away. The apartment is opposite quiet Fleming park, and close to the Merri Creek trail, where Alice and Liam walk their dog every morning. ‘Our dog-walk is bushy with large Australian native trees – it feels like we could be in the countryside’, says Alice. ‘The balcony is nestled into a Chinese Elm tree, so birdsong is the theme music to our lives’, she adds.

But the best bit? The large swimming pool out the back that all the residents are free to enjoy! We’ve never seen anything like it before in an apartment building in Melbourne’s inner north! You can often catch Liam and Alice out by the pool having drinks or dinner with the neighbours, enjoying each other’s company. What a dream!

Check out the full listing for 11/55-57 Victoria Street, Brunswick East here.