Heritage Home Renovation in Glen Iris
- Client: Young professional couple with a toddler
- Property: A heritage-listed home over 100 years old
- Location: Glen Iris, Melbourne, Victoria
- Renovation: Full internal restoration including new kitchen, bathrooms, roofing, backyard transformation, and facade restoration
- Project Duration: Completion of stage one was an 8 month project
BEFORE The Stage One Home Renovation
When our clients first reached out to us, they had just secured a large parcel of land in one of Glen Iris’s most sought-after pockets that’s surrounded by parks, schools, shops, and with easy access to public transport. But while the location was perfect, the property itself told a very different story. The existing house, aged over 100 years, was in a severe state of disrepair. It was neglected, structurally worn, and virtually uninhabitable.
Because the home is heritage-listed, demolition was not an option. Instead, the vision was clear: restore and reimagine the existing structure, giving it a new lease on life while maintaining its historical charm.
The Vision: Two Stages, One Seamless Plan
The homeowner, a busy IT entrepreneur and father to a young daughter, came to us with a thoughtful approach. He knew the scale of the renovation would require a significant investment, so he proposed a two-stage plan. The priority for Stage One was to make the existing house liveable, creating a warm, functional home that his family could move into while plans for the second stage (a future modern extension) were developed.
We were engaged not only for our experience in high-end home renovations, but for our ability to deliver complex work without needing to be micro-managed, something that was particularly important given the client’s demanding professional life.
The House Renovation Process
We began by walking through the site with our architect, who immediately recognised the potential to enhance the home’s period character. It was agreed that the original heritage aesthetic would be restored and respected throughout the first stage, with the possibility of introducing a modern contrast in the second stage’s upper level.
The focus was on getting the bones of the home right. Internally, the entire space was stripped back and rebuilt with new bathrooms, a fresh kitchen, structural reinforcements, updated paintwork, roofing, and a transformation of the rear garden to create a peaceful green space.
Given the staged approach, the clients opted for classic, quality finishes in Stage One, prioritising timeless functionality over high-end luxury, knowing that more expressive elements would come later.
Externally, the home’s charming facade was lovingly restored with fresh paint and a new front decking area to reinstate its street appeal. The entire roof was replaced, and the backyard cleared and levelled to provide a usable, family-friendly lawn.
Throughout the eight month project, our team managed every aspect of the renovation process with minimal disruption to the clients. Weekly updates and walkthroughs kept them involved without needing to oversee the daily operations which was an ideal solution for this busy young family.
AFTER Stage One Renovation
This first phase has completely transformed what was once a rundown structure into a warm, liveable family home, ready to welcome its new occupants. The kitchen and bathrooms are now clean, functional spaces, blending classic design with thoughtful detailing.
The home’s renewed facade feels like a celebration of its history whilst balanced beautifully with the practical, fresh interiors that support modern family life. The backyard, once overgrown and inaccessible, is now a simple and serene green space that offers room to play, relax, and entertain.
LOOKING AHEAD: Stage Two Renovation Plans
With the first phase of the renovation now complete and the family comfortably settled into their revitalised home, planning is well underway for Stage Two, an ambitious transformation designed to expand and elevate the home’s functionality, luxury, and overall footprint.
The client’s vision for Stage Two reflects their long-term goals:
A spacious garage to house a growing car collection
A cinema room designed with the children in mind
An expansive open-plan kitchen and dining space
Additional bedrooms and bathrooms via a second-storey addition
A beautifully integrated outdoor pool and entertaining area
Designing for the Future
The Architectural Process
To bring these ideas to life, we engaged our architect early in the design phase to begin shaping the next chapter of this home. Working closely with the client, the architect translated the wish list into carefully developed preliminary sketches.
These were accompanied by high-quality 3D visual renders, an invaluable tool that helped the client clearly see and understand the proposed layout, materials, and flow of the future space.
For clients who prefer visual clarity over traditional architectural plans, these renders offer reassurance and creative inspiration, allowing them to confidently make decisions throughout the process.
From Council Approvals to Site Preparation
Once the designs were refined and finalised, we submitted the plans to council to begin the planning approval process. With that successfully obtained, we moved on to securing the building permit and preparing a comprehensive project proposal. Upon approval and deposit, Stage Two works will commence, bringing this heritage meets modern vision fully to life.
We look forward to continuing this journey with our Glen Iris clients, creating a truly exceptional residence that honours the original charm of the home while embracing the lifestyle and needs of a modern family.
3D visual render of proposed completed home renovation
Want Master Home Renovations to Renovate for you?
If you have a home renovation project in mind, get in touch with us today on (03) 9007 2202 or use the contact form below and one of our professionals will be in touch.
At Master Home Melbourne we understand renovating can be a daunting experience which is why we value walking you through every step of the way so that like our Moonee Ponds Family you can enjoy your home for years to come.
Contact Master Home Renovations
If you’re thinking about a mid to high-end bathroom, kitchen, home or laundry renovation, contact MASTER RENOVATIONS using the contact phone number or form below.
Note: We do not do budget renovations. If you have a tight budget, then we won’t be able to help you. Our speciality is mid to high-end renovations where we can deliver high-quality results.
If this is you, you can arrange a consultation with specialists in your area who will help guide the way and ensure everything goes smoothly for everyone involved throughout this process.
Telephone: (03) 9007 2202
Address: Suite 6/1010 Doncaster Road, Doncaster East, VIC 3109