ARCHITECTURE of the ancient city of Byzantium later Constantinople later Istanbul melds with early Australiana in this fascinating character home in North Perth.
Huge double gates with brass lion knockers guard the entry to the Grosvenor Road home, which, with its pleasant front garden and timber decked sitting area, seems a modest abode.
Inside ceiling roses abound and there’s no shortage of fireplaces, wide skirting and gleaming jarrah, and two of the four bedrooms have french doors onto the walled front garden.
But step through the arched doorway to a soaring extension and your’e on a magical mystery tour, which will have you thinking you’ve been transported to a different time, and place.
Wrought-iron balustraded stairs lead down to the ground floor, where ornate timber columns hold aloft an exotic multi-arched ceilinged vestibule.
A towering wall of glass stretches up to the second level, drawing the eye to the lush garden, while limestone rendered walls rising majestically to the upper level, and massive terracotta tiles on the floor add to the look and feel of the domain of an eastern potentate.
For today’s family there’s a small theatre room, that currently doubles as a kid’s play area.
The kitchen has an intimate ambience, despite its size and hatch to the dining/living area, while the walk-in-pantry leads to an old cellar, just the shot for storing amphoras of wine and oil.
Which will be handy when it comes to alfresco entertaining reclining under the shade of a huge robinia tree in the walled garden.
Should the heat be too much there’s the raw-stone walled shower at the bottom of the garden to cool off.
The main bedroom is a gargantuan domain floating above the living area, with city skyline views, walk-in-robe, ensuite and space for an office or a sitting room.
Centrally located, living here, you an wander down to Hyde Park for picnics, or for the kiddies to play in the water playground, or head over to Beatty Park for laps, or the nearby Loftus Centre to work out.
And when you’re done the Beaufort Street cafe strip is mere metres away.
by JENNY D’ANGER
173 Grosvenor Road, North Perth
from $1.38 million
Pam Herron 0413 610 660
Jen Jones 0415 662622
Beaufort Realty 9227 0887
Perth Voice Interactive 
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