7 commercial properties that started life as homes
In towns and cities around Australia, there are many business premises that originally served as residential homes.
From a Federation home converted into an office space to a grand Victorian mansion converted into a fine dining restaurant, these commercial properties – currently on the market – were once upon a time home sweet homes.
Price Guide: Offers around $2.8 million
The standard terrace-to-office transformation has been taken to another level with this brand new office building, centrally located in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Cremorne.
The former two-bedroom terrace, which occupies a 120-square-metre block, underwent a minor residential renovation from its original state prior to its current incarnation. Now it has been transformed into a three-level modern office monument, proudly rising above its neighbours.
The building is a rare opportunity for both owner-occupiers or investors in Cremorne’s tightly held office market, which has some of the lowest vacancy rates in the country. Maximum advantage has been taken of the small block, with the property boasting 308 square metres of floor space, rear lane access and end-of-trip facilities.
The interior plan provides flexibility with open-plan working, partitioned boardrooms, break-out spaces as well as a balcony offering views out to the Melbourne CBD.
Price Guide: $1 million-$1.5 million
A small row of Federation-style sandstone homes overlook a corner of Adelaide’s King Rodney Park/Ityamai-itpina, one of which has recently been offered to the market. The well-presented office space still exudes a homely feel, with the exterior showcasing the original sandstone, the brickwork facade in immaculate condition and a large front verandah extending around the building.
Internally, the central hallway leads off into spacious, light-filled rooms with new carpets and a fresh coat of paint, and a number of rooms still have original working fireplaces. A bulk of the total 235-square-metre floor space is provided by the rear extension, which presents an open office plan environment, ready to suit a range of uses.
Equally convenient for prospective buyers is the rear-lane access, allowing parking for up to six vehicles.
Price Guide: Upwards of $12 million
Across our inner-city areas, many terraces have long said goodbye to their former lives as residential premises, and have instead been transformed into a home for businesses that are attracted to the central locations these properties were typically built in.
What is a rare find, however, is an entire row of terraces that have all been developed into a multi-tenanted commercial space. Rarer still is the opportunity to buy them all at once, as is the case with this set of nine adjoining terraces which are being sold in one line.
Located moments from Surry Hills’ bustling Crown and Bourke streets, each terrace comprises three levels of commercial office space, following the addition of a third floor in a development led by H&E Architects in 2016. The design also incorporated skylights and light voids to solve one of the main issues of terrace-to-office conversions – capturing much sought-after natural light.
The building has a main 35-metre street frontage along Riley Street, comprises 10 commercial tenancies across 973 square metres of office space and even includes two off-street parking spaces in a double lock-up garage off Ann Street.
Price Guide: $1.5 million
One of the charming aspects of living and working in Brisbane would have to be the classic Queenslander homes that are dotted right across the city, prominent within the inner suburbs and even spotted within the commercial districts.
This prime Queenslander, located on the corner of an established retail strip in Highgate Hill, has long been used as a business premises with five offices upstairs including a large open-plan area and a further two 50-square-metre offices downstairs.
All the traits of the iconic architectural style are still evident in the building, with tongue-and-groove timber walls and timber arch trim details adorning the interior office spaces.
While still recognisable, the large verandah, which would have once cooled residents on hot nights or been a shelter from tropical rains, now forms the part of the open-plan office space and is enclosed with floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out onto the established trees that surround the property.
Price Guide: $4.1 million-$4.51 million
Home to fine dining establishments for over three decades, this grand Victorian mansion, located near the intersection of Prahran’s High and Williams streets, represents a very rare opportunity in Melbourne’s commercial market.
The majestic heritage building was constructed as one of two identical residences in the 1880s as a wedding gift. Ornate details adorn both the exterior and interior, and all features – structural and decorative – have been immaculately well kept, thanks in part to its long history as a hospitality venue.
The 1010-square-metre land allotment still sits within a well-held residential precinct but could be repurposed into a number of uses (subject to council approval).
The former residence is currently fitted out as a restaurant, complete with a full commercial kitchen, however it’s possible to convert the structure back into a residential home or luxury apartments or into another hospitality venue, medical centre or education facility.
Price Guide: $499,000
Many of Tasmania’s historical buildings have now been reimagined into a vast array of purposes to serve a growing population and strong tourism industry. The most notable and grandest of buildings are located in the main centres of Hobart and Launceston, but small country towns can also offer a glimpse of Tasmania’s yesteryear.
One such place is Forth, a tiny town in the Devonport region of Tasmania’s north coast, just a stone’s throw from the River Forth, and home to this humble little cottage. The building, nestled along the town’s main road, was built in 1898 and has been used most recently as a cafe, with multiple dining spaces and a central kitchen.
The property is only a short drive from the town of Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania calls into port, and is also located along a main tourist route to Cradle Mountain.
Price Guide: By expressions of interest
The inner-city Perth suburb of West Perth was historically an exclusive suburb for wealthy merchants and politicians, hence the wide, tree-lined boulevards edged with a number of stately homes. Although the suburb has gone on to house a mix of modern commercial office buildings and high-end residential apartment blocks, some of the historic residential buildings still remain.
One such structure that has held out against the changing aesthetics is this free-standing, Federation-style property. Showcasing a charming street appeal, the home still retains many of its period trademarks, such as the front balcony and high ceilings.
The property is currently used as a medical facility with 10 separate rooms of various sizes, as well as a large waiting room upon entry, a shower and kitchen space and separate staff and client toilet facilities.
