172 Peel Street, Windsor VIC 3181

THE DEAL

For almost a 100 years this magnificent building served as Windsor’s post office, telephone exchange and mail sorting centre. Today it stands as a meticulously restored and renovated masterpiece, showcasing one of the area’s most unique and recognisable residential homes.
Originally designed by Horace John Mackennal and engineered by Sir John Monash, this home emanates grandeur and period detail the moment you step into the formal entry room. Featuring 4.5-metre-high ceilings, original jarrah floorboards, and 19th century tessellated tiles, the historic charm is palpable.

Ascending the original staircase reveals embellished brass handrails and the open-plan living area unfolds. Adorned with 11 meters of decorative leadlight north-facing windows offering leafy vistas across a treelined street and Melbourne Bowling Club, tremendous wall space expands to display art and artefacts. Bathed in natural light, soaring ceilings cover a palatial and intelligently zoned area to create multiple living and dining spaces. The kitchen, equally impressive, boasts stainless steel appliances and large island bench. Behind it lies a spacious laundry and separate bathroom with elegant bath and waterfall shower.
Moving upward, we arrive at the retreat quarters. The sizeable master bedroom features plantation shutters, ceiling fan, his-and-her walk-in robes, and an ensuite. Across the hallway, two generous bedrooms offer comfortable guest or children’s accommodation. An internal sliding window pane cleverly allows natural light and ventilation from the lower living area to fill both this level and the one above. Ascending further, the third floor retains clerestory windows and original steel truss beams, and currently serves as a writing studio and gym/yoga space — yet offers potential for conversion into a 5th bedroom with built-in robes.
Proceeding back to the ground floor, a green laneway runs from front to back, and a door off the side gives way to a subterranean tempered wine room, insulated by walls six bricks thick — a feature reminiscent of a bygone era. Another door accesses the three-car garage and offers ample storage.
The location is unbeatable, adjacent to the ‘Parisian end’ of Chapel Street, with popular dining spots such as Maha East, Hawker Hall, Henrietta and Jungle Boy just a short stroll. Windsor Railway Station provides rapid access to the CBD, while nearby Albert Park offers a plethora of recreational opportunities and Prahran Market is a short drive or walk away. Melbourne’s prestige schools, Wesley, St Michaels and St Mary’s are walking distance, as is the iconic Astor theatre.
SEALS THE DEAL

Returning to the first floor, a large fully self-contained studio emerges as a hidden gem, presenting a multitude of functional possibilities. Whether utilised as an office or creative studio, guest accommodation, or a teenager’s retreat, this space epitomises the versatility and uniqueness of this true Melbourne treasure.