Arts Centre builder’s family home sold in Burwood

Built by a late tradesman who worked on Melbourne’s Arts Centre and lovingly preserved for more than 50 years, this Burwood home has now been passed to another family.

A Burwood home built by the man who helped supervise works on Melbourne landmarks including the Arts Centre and RMIT has sold to a local family who plan to preserve its character.

The four-bedroom house at 30 Leopold St changed hands for $1.775m, with buyers drawn to its spacious floorplan, 836sq m block, and original features, including a spa, sauna and swimming pool, which were ahead of their time when built in the early 1970s.

Buxton Mount Waverley’s Peter Serafino said the home attracted strong local interest and was never seriously considered for demolition.

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“The buyers are a family from the area who fell in love with it,” Mr Serafino said.

“They’re planning to renovate rather than rebuild, which is the perfect outcome. It’s rare to find a home like this in such great condition.”

Seller Leonie Vella, who grew up in the home with her sister Kim, said their late father John Vella was a construction supervisor who worked on the Arts Centre and the RMIT building.

The formal lounge was the heart of family life, a place for nightly meals, Christmas traditions and decades of togetherness.

John and June Vella built the Burwood home in the 1970s. He laid every brick, and she brought it to life with her warmth and style.

“Dad was a builder through and through, but he also had heart,” Ms Vella said.

“He built this house for us. Every brick was perfectly placed, and Mum made sure it was always immaculate.

“It still has her curtains hanging from the ‘70s.”

The home’s original bathroom reflects the careful craftsmanship and solid construction of the era, a classic space with renovation potential.

Still in immaculate condition, the kitchen was where the Vella family gathered nightly, with every meal served around the table.

Ms Vella’s late mother June played a major role in the home’s interior and garden design.

“Mum had so much flair. She planted flowers along the brick walls and kept the formal lounge for Christmas only,” she said.

“It was pristine, but always warm.

“She took pride in every detail, right up to the end.”

The garden and alfresco space were designed by June, and hosted countless family milestones, pool parties and summer barbecues.

Spacious and sunlit, the bedrooms were lovingly kept, part of a family home designed to grow with its people.

The property features two large living areas, a bar, terraced gardens, and an undercover alfresco area that once hosted pool parties, family milestones and holiday celebrations.

“We had every kind of event here, engagements, Christmases, sleepovers,” Ms Vella said.
“It was the kind of house that was always full of life and joy.”