‘Hug House’ embraces buyers with character, warmth and exquisite design

A renovated Federation beauty in inner Melbourne sets a new benchmark in blending old and new with precision and care.

The inner Melbourne suburb of Fairfield is full of gorgeous renovated Federation homes, but it’s hard to find one as special as this one.

The house at 174 Rathmines Street, Fairfield, just 6km northeast of the CBD, presents a pretty white façade with a bullnose verandah, ornate timberwork and leadlight windows.

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But step inside what is affectionately known as ‘Hug House’, along the hallway and past the stunning bedrooms with ornate ceiling rosettes and mantled fireplaces, and this home unfolds into another world — where angles, light and clever design play to create a very modern type of paradise.

Freshly renovated, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom stunner has been the passion project of vendor Corey Baker and his wife Prue, who bought the house in 2023 with a view to flip it.

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The Bakers designed the home with FIGR Architecture and Design after employing the studio to create their family home in neighbouring Northcote.

The home on Rathmines wasn’t heritage listed and had been modernised, with the Bakers determined to reinject some of the property’s original charm.

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“We reinstated everything to the feel of the original to create a beautiful family home that people would fall in love with. I’m quite proud of what we’ve produced; it’s very hard not to move into it ourselves, to be honest,” Mr Baker said.

“Part way through the build, the architects visited and said they felt as though they were embraced in one big hug. Hence the name.”

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The rear of Hug House offers two luxurious living areas, a tempting choice of dining areas, a plush study and an entertaining deck. It all embraces a private lawn and an electric mineral pool with heat pump.

The craftsmanship is meticulous. Semi-vaulted ceilings and north-facing sliding doors welcome the sun, which illuminates Blackbutt joinery and panelling, burnished concrete, engineered oak floors, Terrazzo tiling and marble surfaces. The entire home is harmonised by a warm neutral colour palette.

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“There’s certainly a number of homes that are renovated behind a period façade, but the number of renovations that have this architectural pedigree to them are few and far between,” said agent Sam Rigopoulos at Jellis Craig Northcote.

“In every angle and corner, there’s a distinctive detail that makes that space feel really special. It’s one of those rare properties that’s been designed to sell, but has the detail of someone who was going to live in it.”

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Special features include a suspended Oblica rotating fireplace in the living area; a study with a built-in desk; a kitchen with curved standalone island, Siemens induction cooktop and double pyrolytic oven; and a master with a deep walk-in robe and private ensuite.

Additional highlights are a WiFi-enabled heating/cooling smart climate system, 4.5kW solar power (upgradeable to 10kW), double glazing, a full-size laundry/mudroom, powder room (third WC), pull-down attic storage, lockable shed, remote-controlled gate to off-street parking, and a fast car charger.

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The Bakers purchased the home for just under $1.6 million, close to the current median price for houses in Fairfield of $1.57 million. It’s now being listed for $3.1 million to $3.4 million.

Mr Baker said the project was about creating something unique.

“We could have pulled back. We could have done something quite generic, and I suppose probably done better from that financially. But we wanted to stay true to the property and showcase what was possible.”

The property opens up onto Rubie Thomson Reserve and is moments to local cafes, shops and transport options. It’s also around a five-minute drive to Northcote Plaza, All Nations Park and leafy Darebin Parklands.

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