On The Market

A 1970s Beauty Heads To Auction In Balwyn

If recent years are any indication, 1970s homes in Melbourne’s south-east require a bit of extra love from enthusiasts (that’s us!) to ensure their survival… especially gems like this one!

20 Westminster Street, Balwyn is the work of Kenneth Edelstein, an architect who designed several distinguished homes across Melbourne in the ‘70s. This particular house remains in the near original condition, and is on the market for only the second time in history. 

Take a closer look at the exposed brick walls, timber panelling, vaulted ceilings, split-level interiors, north-facing windows, and surrounding garden before it heads to auction next weekend!

Written
by
Amelia Barnes

20 Westminster Street, Balwyn is a fabulous 1970s architect-designed house for sale. Photo – supplied by Marshall White Boroondara

This modernist-style home was designed by architect Kenneth Edelstein. Photo – supplied by Marshall White Boroondara

The exceptionally large home is located across two storeys (each with additional split levels) containing four bedrooms with balconies, three bathrooms, two living areas, and a study. Photo – supplied by Marshall White Boroondara

 The sunken lounge facing the exposed brick fireplace to the west, and garden to the north.  

Photo – supplied by Marshall White Boroondara

A peaceful garden with established trees makes up the remainder of the large and private block.  Photo – supplied by Marshall White Boroondara

The house remains in original condition except for a 2006 kitchen renovation and new carpet. Photo – supplied by Marshall White Boroondara

Writer
Amelia Barnes
24th of May 2022

Not only is 20 Westminster Street, Balwyn a fabulous 1970s architect-designed house, but it’s for sale for only the second time ever!

This modernist-style home was designed by architect Kenneth Edelstein and remains in original condition except for a 2006 kitchen renovation and new carpet.

When coming across the property 24 years ago, current owners Ross and Kim Gordon fell in love with the mid-century style features including exposed brick walls, timber panelling, and vaulted ceilings with exposed beams.  

The exceptionally large home is located across two storeys (each with additional split levels) containing four bedrooms with balconies, three bathrooms, two living areas, and a study. 

A carefully designed floor plan places living areas on the ground floor, with bedrooms above, and every room is oriented north except for the bathrooms and laundry. ‘We love the large north-facing windows letting in so much light to every room, the underfloor hydronic heating in winter, the exposed beams and high ceilings, and we have been spoiled with tonne of storage,’ says Kim.

Living rooms feel lofty and generous under the home’s high ceilings, but are cleverly distinguished via split levels that escalate throughout the floor plan. The formal living room at the front of the home is positioned at the lowest point, creating a sunken lounge facing the exposed brick fireplace to the west, and garden to the north. 

A peaceful backyard with established trees makes up the remainder of the large and private 1011-sqm block. 

Ross and Kim Gordon hope the home will go to a new family who will love the home as much as they have. So do we!

20 Westminster Street, Balwyn, Victoria, is listed with Marshall White Boroondara and goes to auction on Saturday June 4 at 12.30pm.  

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