The property market is something Aussies spend more time thinking about than theyโd like to admit to, but everyone knows not all homes are created equal. Here at On The Market, we scour countless property listings to share the best of the best, from palatially proportioned waterfront palaces to meticulously designed studio apartments.
Iโve written about more than my fair share of tasteful renovations over the years, but this is easily one of the best. From the outside, itโs a modest Chippendale warehouse. Inside, however, The Pigeon Shed is a light-filled, triple-height masterpiece by MCK Architects.
Across 735 square metres and three fluid levels, youโll find gallery-scale entertaining zones, landscaped courtyards, and a kitchen spilling onto a private pool. A copper-clad lift connects every level, from guest suites to the top-floor master retreat; thereโs also a built-in solar system and hydronic heating to bring comfort to the home.
Address: 42-44 Pine Street, Chippendale, NSW, 2008
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Car spaces: 3
Price Guide: Contact Agent
In Canberraโs sought-after Forrest, 45 National Circuit reimagines the very best of Mid-Century Modern living, hidden behind its breezeblock facade. Inside, youโll find sunlit spaces that transition seamlessly from lounge to Gaggenau kitchen, then down to a sunken, velour conversation pit.
All told, there are five bedrooms, including a master suite with a garden courtyard shower, joined by a self-contained apartment. Outdoors, private gardens frame a heated lagoon pool, cementing it as one of the capitalโs most compelling addresses.
Address: 45 National Circuit, Forrest, ACT, 2603
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Car spaces: 5
Price Guide: Auction
Directly opposite Middle Park Beach, Panorama House is an award-winning Sally Caroline creation, which fuses biophilic design with uncompromising and luxurious detail. A retractable-roof courtyard brings light and greenery into the generously proportioned living areas, from a marble-finished Gaggenau kitchen to a suspended-fireplace lounge with bay views.
The private lift links three bedrooms โ including a master suite with a walk-in robe โ to a glass-walled office, while other features include travertine and onyx finishings, sustainable technology, and a four-car basement. Itโs a rare architectural statement on one of Melbourneโs most coveted shorelines.
Address: 205 Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, VIC, 3206
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Car spaces: 4
Price Guide: $15,900,000 to $16,300,000
Backed by Mount Gravatt Mountain Reserve, 38 OโGrady Street is a hillside sanctuary by architect Brian Dudson. A bridge entry leads to a tiered plan that cascades with the terrain, from a panoramic sunken lounge to a deck that hovers over the treetops.
Inside, itโs all brick, concrete, and timber, with three bedrooms, a rumpus room, and an art studio, while the backyard pool is enveloped by trees for complete privacy. From just about every angle, itโs a rare coming together of architectural vision and connection to nature.
Address: 38 OโGrady Street, Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD, 4122
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Car spaces: 2
Price Guide: Auction
Set on a 2,400-square-metre north-facing estate, this 1920s Avalon residence carries nearly a century of architectural history with it. Careel Bay views flood the interiors with natural light from the stone fireplace, library to the vaulted conservatory overlooking manicured gardens, while there are five bedrooms to enjoy, including a master with deck access.
For when the in-laws are in town, thereโs even a sandstone-walled wing that offers its own living space, further underscoring the versatility of the home. With winding stone paths, tropical plantings, and a deep entertaining deck, itโs got historical grandeur and coastal refinement in equal measure.
Address: 137 George Street, Avalon Beach NSW 2107
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Car spaces: 4
Price Guide: $9,000,000
