Heritage Terrace, Lavender Bay

Lavender Bay Terrace – Heritage Sensitivity with Contemporary Comfort

Located within a Heritage Conservation Area, this 1880s terrace in Lavender Bay was carefully restored to celebrate its original character while making the home lighter, more functional and better connected to its incredible surroundings.

Our clients wanted to retain the existing configuration of the home rather than dramatically alter its footprint, so our approach focused on identifying opportunities within the existing architecture to improve the way each space felt and functioned. Working with the clients from concept through to approvals, heritage consultation and construction, we were able to carefully balance these changes with the heritage significance of the terrace.

One of the most transformative interventions was within the master bedroom. What had previously been a window with limited outlook was opened up to create a new balcony, giving the bedroom expansive views towards the city and a much stronger connection between indoors and outdoors. In another bedroom, we took a similar approach, transforming an existing window into a Juliet balcony to introduce more light, fresh air and a greater connection to the surrounding views.

At the front of the home, the façade was revitalised through restoration works and a fresh coat of paint, bringing back its original charm. Inside, old carpet was replaced with timber flooring, while the original staircase was carefully retained and complemented with a custom handrail that introduces a subtle contemporary detail.

We also introduced a new ground-floor bathroom and laundry, which had previously only been accessible through the courtyard, making everyday use of the home significantly more practical. Large doors opening onto the courtyard and new skylights bring natural light deeper into the interiors and create a stronger relationship with the outdoors.

Rather than changing the character of this beautiful 1880s terrace, the project was about finding opportunities to make the existing home work harder: opening it to views that were previously limited, bringing in more natural light and creating better connections to the outdoors, while preserving the heritage qualities that make the home special.

Photography: Graham Jepson