After falling for a character-rich former milk bar occupying a prominent corner in Ascot Vale, our clients took their time getting to know its unique personality — and, inevitably, its quirks.

Converted into a four-bedroom residence prior to buying it in 2014, the two-storey red brick building already had plenty of charm, from its distinctive period detailing to the tell-tale signs of its previous life as a corner shop. But while full of character, it was also dark, lacked privacy, and featured a compact kitchen and bathroom opening onto an outdated lean-to and an external laundry. The existing staircase was also not exactly user-friendly.

Our clients had already made a solid start, updating the two existing bathrooms, rewiring, and reglazing the original shopfront windows. We were brought in to deliver the next, more transformative chapter of their renovation enterprise.

On the brief: a generous open-plan kitchen/living/dining zone connecting seamlessly with a courtyard garden that doubled as an small off-street car park, a third bathroom, a relocated laundry, improved natural light at the centre of the home and a pool. And importantly, a new safe and compliant staircase.

With a 180 sqm block that was both narrow and tight, we needed to get creative. Retaining the front of the house was non-negotiable, as it had heritage classification not only with an overlay covering the building but an original painted sign for Nestle chocolate that was listed with Heritage Victoria.  The new spaces needed to feel open and easy without compromising on movement, form or functionality.

Planning delays during Covid presented another challenge, and by the time we received approval, post Covid construction costs had soared by 30–40%. This meant making some difficult calls, including removing the plunge pool, a studio underneath and an overhead gantry linking the studio with the upper level deck, from the original scheme.

That said, the final design holds true to the spirit of the brief. A two-storey rear extension now accommodates a light-filled kitchen/living/dining space on the ground floor, anchored by large glass sliders that open to a private courtyard. A curved dining nook, finished with a striking green velvet banquette, maximises the footprint while making a bold visual statement.

Tucked behind this is a new bathroom and powder room, leading to a reimagined staircase — compliant, comfortable, and crowned by a retained stained-glass feature window. Upstairs, a multi-purpose space with a concealed laundry and bar flows onto a large rooftop terrace with great views of the city, complete with a custom steel pergola to balance the structural line of the existing with the new.

Materiality was key. Exposed brickwork brings warmth and texture, playing beautifully against concrete, timber, and metal elements. The original façade along the front and side was restored and retained, while the new addition is clearly defined at the rear. A cladding detail in metal shingles gives a nod to the site’s heritage and adds a layer of contemporary visual interest.

Once underway, the build was smooth. Our builders, Cody and Nathan from Lynmar Constructions, delivered the project six weeks ahead of schedule. And our clients were absolutely thrilled not only with their new home but with the ease of process. The result is a considered, responsive transformation that honours the past while creating a comfortable, contemporary future.

The old milk bar may no longer be serving its local customers, but it’s still very much a neighbourhood icon — reborn as a warm, vibrant home, and still a visual delight on the corner for years to come.

Fixtures & Fittings

• Appliances: Fisher & Paykel rangehood, induction cooktop, oven, dishdrawer, and fridge; ILVE microwave; Schmick bar fridge; Heat pump dryer.
• Sinks & Basins: ABI Interiors black granite kitchen/laundry sinks, matte white and gloss white bathroom basins.
• Tapware: ABI Interiors mixers, spouts, shower sets in matte black and brushed copper; Reece washing machine taps.
• Bathroom Accessories: Heated towel rail, robe hooks, towel holders, toilet roll holders, all by ABI Interiors.
• Joinery Hardware: Blum hinges and drawer systems, Hafele bin drawer, Lo & Co pulls.
• Miscellaneous: Lockwood door handles, Tradco magnetic door stops, Stratco hose cocks, Milkcan letterbox and house numbers.

Finishes & Materials

• Cladding & Roofing: Colorbond metal cladding and roofing in ‘Basalt’; James Hardie cement sheet cladding.
• Screens & Balustrades: Powdercoated aluminium batten and perforated mesh screens.
• Flooring: Mechanically polished concrete, recycled red brick, grass pave, carpet with Airstep underlay.
• Joinery & Panels: Laminex AbsoluteMatte in black, white, pewter; Navurban timber panels; Screenwood T&G panels.
• Paint & Powdercoat: Dulux ‘White on White’, ‘Tīrau Double’, ‘Daintree’, various powdercoats for external use.
• Tiles: Perini tiles including Pamir Night and Yubi series.
• Other: Grafico wallpapers, Easycraft VJ linings, Altro shadowline skirts and jambs, Concrete Collective benchtops.

Lighting & Electrical

• Lighting: About Space downlights, pendants, wall lights; TECLED LED strips and recessed lights.
• Exhaust & Sensors: Mercator bathroom fan, Clipsal motion sensors and smoke alarms.
• Switches & Power: Clipsal Iconic series switch plates and outlets.
• HVAC: Daikin/Fujitsu ducted reverse cycle AC with Holyoake bar diffusers.
• Hot Water & Solar: Stiebel Eltron heat pump, Edge Solar PV system (12 panels, 4.8kW).