The Battle for the Brunswick Converted Church

Yesterday was a busy auction day for us. After a strange few weekends either side of the election, Saturday 16th July delivered some strong results in the tightly held inner ring suburbs, and we certainly felt the brunt of the energetic bidders out there.

One of the few we missed included this stunning church conversion on Blyth Street Brunswick, and sadly a few hearts were broken when the hammer fell on the final bid of $1,252,000. Eight bidders fought it out; some from the other side of town and one from Sydney.

Converted churches are interesting propositions at auction. They always attract strong numbers at the open for inspections, but they don’t always sell easily. Whether the emotional feelings associated with living in a place of worship sway buyers away from bidding, or the non-traditional layout of the internal spaces are too quirky for most, or perhaps the heritage overlays and limitations on changing the dwelling discourage buyers, converted churches are not often mainstream-appeal properties.

 

However this one attracted many and proved my theory wrong.

Was it the winter stock shortage that increased the buyer numbers? Was it the campaign? Or was it the incredible incredible spaces and glorious windows? We think it was all of the above.

The conversion was clever. A four unit subdivision offering private access via side street access to unit three, with open plan living and kitchen with private front courtyard and sunshine streaming in was hard for any buyer not to note. Second level bedrooms and separated lounge area zoned the home beautifully, but the most incredible space was the upstairs bedroom with full vaulted ceilings and beautiful church window detail. This Gothic styled piece of history was indeed special.

We all gathered in the rear courtyard to battle it out in the bright sunshine our beautiful Melbourne winter’s day delivered. Commiserations to the seven who missed out, including our lovely buyers. That’s the thing with property. There are no second prizes on offer at auction.

Illustration by Kate Bond