Behold; a C1910 Unley Park icon, masterfully built ahead of its time

Master builder Walter Torode has built prestigious Adelaide icons in the city including Elder Hall, the Lady Chapel and the spires of St Peters Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building, and part of Ruthven Mansions.

Arguably his greatest achievement: the home he built just for himself in the heart of leafy Unley Park.

And one glance at the imposing, distinctive facade is enough to know that Torode pushed the boundaries in ways unseen in suburbia C1910.

While Unley Park was sprouting symmetrical villas, 8 Bellevue Place spawned a multi-level, 5-bedroom home with an internal layout as intriguing as its first impression.

The ’tilt-up concrete’ building method was a relatively new dawn back then, making this impenetrable, light-filled fortress ahead of its time.

It’s also forever timeless.

The Baltic pine floors, soaring ceilings, leadlight windows and large, airy spaces synonymous with its era are all here, in fine form.

With its familiarity comes unique bullnosed eaves, soft protruding curves and a curious layout that orbits its dome-ceilinged central dining room via a 360-degree hallway.

This ‘full-circle’ journey uncovers one big, bright room after another, including grand formal zones, ensuited main bedroom and the gateway to the rear open-plan family room.

The family room is split in two subtle levels; one assigned to the updated French provincial kitchen with granite benchtops. The other a sitting room that opens straight out to your heated in-ground pool and crazy-paved pavilion.

The upper level plays host to a fully self-contained retreat with vaulted sky-lit ceilings, bathroom, kitchen and views over a sprawling, landscaped parcel. A teen’s dream.

Kids and kelpies will roam with reckless abandon at the home’s feet. Big kids at heart will see the huge concrete five car garage/workshop as a glorious reason to start – or continue – a hobby.

Just an amble from cobbled King William Road, Heywood Park and Unley’s boutiques, Mr Torode chose his canvas well. You’ll thank him every time you leave and arrive.

More to love

• A masterfully built slice of Unley Park history
• Supremely flexible dual-level layout with up to five bedrooms plus large study and a bevy of living zones
• Periodic updates include underfloor-heated ensuite and custom kitchen with dual Miele ovens, Ziptap, granite benchtops
• Huge underground dry cellar – 5KW solar system
• Efficient split r/c and working fireplaces
• Solar heating to in-ground pool
• Monitored alarm system
• Concrete five-car garage with bathroom, CAT5 cabling
• Additional off-street parking for a fleet of family cars
• Loads of storage and separate laundry
• Established landscaped gardens
• Less than 10 minutes to the CBD
• Moments to Scotch College, Walford Anglican and other elite public and private schools

Specifications

• CT / 5281/409
• Council / Unley
• Zoning / EN
• Built / 1910
• Land / 1652m2 (approx)
• Frontage / 32.4m
• Council Rates / $3,943.60pa
• Emergency Services Levy / $360pa
• SA Water / $421.55pq
• Estimated rental assessment / $1,500 – $1,600 per week / Written rental assessment can be provided upon request
• Nearby Schools / Unley P.S, Highgate School, Mitcham P.S, Westbourne Park P.S, Goodwood P.S, Unley H.S, Mitcham Girls H.S, Urrbrae Agricultural H.S, Glenunga International H.S, Springbank Secondary College

Disclaimer: All information provided has been obtained from sources we believe to be accurate, however, we cannot guarantee the information is accurate and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions (including but not limited to a property’s land size, floor plans and size, building age and condition). Interested parties should make their own enquiries and obtain their own legal and financial advice. Should this property be scheduled for auction, the Vendor’s Statement may be inspected at any Harris Real Estate office for 3 consecutive business days immediately preceding the auction and at the auction for 30 minutes before it starts. RLA | 226409