Tucked into the leafy streets of Flemington on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, this graceful Victorian beauty has had quite the glow-up. Melbourne architects Martino Leah, in collaboration with builder Contour Projects Group, didn’t just give this old dame a facelift—they gave her a full identity reinvention. And yet, she hasn’t lost an ounce of her soul.
From the front, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were looking at any old (albeit charming) Victorian terrace. But peek around the back and boom!—a slick, open-planned extension makes a confident, contemporary statement. It's got steel-framed doors, recycled red brickwork, and more natural light than your average influencer’s Instagram grid.
Inside, things just keep getting better. The kitchen is a minimalist dream: marble benchtops, no handles in sight, and enough bench space to host The Great Flemington Bake-Off (we made that up, but honestly… it could work). The green-tiled bathroom? A moody, luxurious retreat with just the right splash of glam thanks to gold tapware.
But what really ties it all together is the way the architecture dissolves the boundaries between inside and out. Those steel doors in the living room open up to a lush, well-composed garden—because yes, of course they do. This house doesn’t do anything halfway. It’s thoughtful and elegant, but also totally liveable. You get the sense that it was designed for both entertaining and napping. A rare combo.
Every detail has been considered. From the recycled materials giving the home its honest warmth, to the spatial planning that makes every corner feel just right, Martino Leah have delivered a home that balances contemporary flair with timeless comfort. It’s grounded, refined, and full of little surprises—just like the neighbourhood itself.
This isn’t just a renovation. It’s a love letter to what happens when you respect the past and make bold moves toward the future. Flemington House might be low-key from the street, but behind those heritage walls, she’s serving serious main-character energy.
