When Antonia O’Doherty takes a moment to watch the yachts on Sydney Harbour from her eastern suburbs apartment balcony, it’s a privilege that would have once seemed impossible.
Antonia, a stay-at-home mum of two, and husband Sean, a director at Princess Yachts in Australia, have pulled off what many other apartment owners could only dream of – adding an upper level with a third bedroom and a new balcony, capturing a postcard vista of the iconic bridge and Opera House.
Antonia O’Doherty and her husband Sean now have harbour views after an elegant renovation of their Vaucluse home.
Credit: STEVEN SIEWERT
The couple are selling their elegantly renovated, three-bedroom address at 4/43 Cambridge Avenue in Vaucluse, through Raine & Horne Double Bay, with an auction planned for November 18.
The scope of the endeavour – the renovation was premium and cost about $1 million – was a commitment that many home owners, juggling trades and materials costs, will understand.
When the parents bought the property around five years ago, it was single level, atop a boutique period block of four apartments. It had two bedrooms, a pokey kitchen and bathroom, and a sunroom off the kitchen.
The floor plan was tight, but it had plenty of promise, natural light, and a premier location.
The O’Dohertys bought the then-single-level property atop a period apartment block around five years ago.Credit: STEVEN SIEWERT
“The old brick building had a lot of charm and potential,” Antonia said. “Now everyone who walks in is blown away because they’re not expecting to experience the feeling and size of a house or a terrace.”
In 2022, in collaboration with Angus Donald – a university graduate of architecture – they crafted a second storey in the vacant roof space.
The extension was vast enough to accommodate a luxurious main bedroom with a Juliet balcony, deep walk-in robe and harbour views, a marble bathroom with dual showers and a soaking tub, another bedroom, and storage.
In 2022, the couple extended to craft a second storey in the property’s vacant roof space.Credit: Domain
“We ensured that the roof layout was maximised with the focus on the main bedroom location,” Antonia said. “It feels like you’re in the clouds when you wake up in the morning. It’s a truly special room.”
One of the council requirements was that the second level did not impinge upon the facade, and so it is set back, behind the hip of the gabled roofline.
Approval from Woollahra Council took about eight months, as well as a lengthy process with strata and the owners’ corporation to provide exclusive use of the roof space and approve the renovation.
One of the council requirements was that the second level did not impinge upon the facade.
Credit: STEVEN SIEWERT
Initially, the O’Dohertys had not fathomed the square metres that were concealed above. They engaged Donald upon the advice of a friend who had undertaken a similar project.
“When my friend explained what was possible it blew my mind because when we originally had draftsmen here, we were discussing not even changing the roof,” Antonia said.
Just the right pitch of the roofline made this renovation possible.Credit: STEVEN SIEWERT
Donald, experienced with attic conversions, said lodging a pre-development application with council was an extra step that helped smooth the way.
“Council came back with some great advice, we took that on board, made a few tweaks and submitted the development application,” he said. “So when we got to the DA stage, we were confident.”
The renovation included a staircase with an intricate steel balustrade, set beside a study, a concealed laundry, and a steel-framed door.Credit: Domain
Donald said there were parameters that made this renovation possible, including just the right pitch of the roofline.
“A lot of people don’t realise that the attic is a fantastic way to increase their floor space,” he said.
Below, on the first floor, the sunroom was demolished, and a balcony installed, capitalising on an enviable north outlook and harbour views.
This flowed off a dining room next to a polished kitchen. The bar is flourished in rattan and imported handmade Portuguese tiles.
A staircase with intricate steel balustrade is beside a study, a concealed laundry, and a steel-framed door that delineates the front rooms from the main living areas.
The interior nods to the sophistication of the couple’s favourite European destinations.
“I have put a Mediterranean touch on it, informed by all of the light,” Antonia said. “It feels like you are on holiday, also because the harbour and the ocean are so close.”
The fitout was a pleasurable process that nurtured Antonia’s love for interior design.
Antonia said she “put a Mediterranean touch on” the design. Credit: STEVEN SIEWERT
Listing agent Christophe Serrao said every element was bespoke and in a rarely seen level of finish.
The apartment’s size and features are attracting prospective buyers – mostly young professional couples – who would otherwise be looking at houses.
“It is so special,” he said. “It offers the same space as a lot of semis in the area, but renovated to a far higher degree. If you’re looking for a good alternative to a house because you don’t have $6 million and $7 million to buy a north-facing, renovated home in this pocket, then this is the perfect alternative.”
The apartment’s size and features are attracting prospective buyers – mostly young professional couples – who would otherwise be looking at houses.Credit: Domain
With a growing family, the O’Doherty family are departing their custom “sanctuary”.
“I’ll miss having a cup of tea and watching the ferries,” Antonia said. “To me, it’s the little details that have made this home so beautiful.”
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