Classic high-ceilinged apartment in historic harbourside house, glorious gardens

FIRST LETTING!
(Hence no reviews yet - but I have 4.8 stars/5 for my previous Balmain letting from 58 reviews over several years - sold to get this beauty.)

This character-filled two-room ground-floor apartment with verandah is one of 12 units in a historic harbourside house (1880s) surrounded by lush gardens. It has polished wood floors and a huge (over 2 metres high) window that opens onto your outdoor setting on the verandah, overlooking the very private garden. The apartment was architecturally converted to a large lounge/dining room and striking wood-panelled kitchen, off which is a queen bedroom and ensuite bathroom. Kitchen has induction stove, oven, microwave, two fridges, dishwasher, espresso coffee machine, Smeg appliances. It is liberally supplied with china, glasses, cooking utensils and pantry staples.

Apartment is tastefully furnished with vintage burgundy Chesterfield sofa (three-seater) and matching wing chair with ottoman, round marble dining table (seats 4), Persian rug, bookcases (one full of good books, one half-empty for your use), a large smart TV with numerous streaming options and a workspace ‘corridor’ with a desk and ergonomic chair. The ample kitchen benchtop has a breakfast bar with two stools and plenty of chopping space. Both rooms have efficient ceiling fans. The signature marble fireplace is fitted with a gas heater that resembles a fire. Delicate Tiffany lamps and an eclectic art collection enhance the lounge room, which also features a built-in art installation that reveals the timberwork behind the walls and can be lit in different colours or switched off. It's a lovely room to relax in as the morning light shines through the enormous window, or in the evening when the wooden shutters make it even cosier.

The bedroom has a comfortable queen bed, marble-topped bedsides and a built-in wardrobe with plenty of space for clothes, spare linen and towels, plus a heated towel rack. The bathroom has a generous walk-in shower, with separated handbasin/cabinet, art deco mirror and toilet and a space to store utilities (vacuum cleaner etc). Residents share a coin-operated laundry with a large washing machine and dryer. It is clean and well maintained, costing $3 a cycle. Detergent is provided and there are clotheslines in the garden. PARKING: you will have a Visitor's Pass, which allows free unrestricted on-street parking (except for a few spaces by the school at start/closing times).

The magnificent established gardens include tall gum trees, leafy green enclaves and flowering plants, in a paved, enclosed setting with outdoor furniture settings. They are common property and can be used by any resident. A trestle table and extra chairs are stored in the laundry for occasional use by anyone – I use the table to host my book club lunch! The generous gardens have direct access to a public park, which leads down to the harbour. The street is quiet, except at school drop off and pick up times (c.9a.m, 3p.m), when the primary school opposite comes alive with children.

Balmain East is a small, friendly and safe enclave, situated at the end of a peninsula that adjoins Sydney Harbour. You can see the Sydney Harbour Bridge from our front gate; it’s a 7-minute walk to the Balmain East wharf, where a ferry will take you to Barangaroo (Sydney CBD) in six minutes, or the scenic route passing the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to Circular Quay (16mins). You can also get a bus (442) at the end of the street to central Sydney (Queen Victoria Building) - 16mins at off-peak. Light rail and trains run from Circular Quay all over the city.

Our area has a village feel, with a store 200m away that stocks fruit and vegetables, groceries, snacks, wine, beer and spirits, a good café, art and craft shops and a friendly local pub, the East Village. At the wharf, The Fenwick offers everything from a coffee and croissant kiosk to a gourmet lunch or dinner in a heritage sandstone setting with glorious harbour views.

The historic Balmain peninsula is a delight, with diverse architecture from tiny workers’ cottages to grand waterside mansions, endless laneways and wonderful parks. Once an industrial area, Balmain became gentrified in the 1970s when artists and bohemians moved in, later to be joined by lawyers, IT and finance types. It retains great character and is known for its profusion of classic pubs and an array of shops and restaurants that stretch the 3km length of its thoroughfare, Darling street. The beautifully restored Dawn Fraser baths are the oldest harbour baths in Sydney and site of the first water polo played in Australia.

I am flexible re rates and duration, though I prefer longer lets (1-3months) and don't do very short stays.

Residents in this building get on well, providing a sense of community while respecting each others' privacy. Please be mindful of this and maintain the peaceful, harmonious atmosphere.

Please let me know a little about yourself and your trip.