Essendon homes McCracking reno has amazing bar, pool and 500-bottle wine cellar installed

A once “tired and grumpy” California bungalow has been transformed into an Essendon entertainer’s paradise that can easily host 80 guests.

The owners of 82 McCracken St retained the house’s original facade but “gutted and renovated” the interior to create a contemporary home to suit them and their three children.

They bought the 1920s-built house after falling in love with the location near Leake St, Keilor Rd and Buckley St’s cafes and restaurants.

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The amount of space the 850sq m block offered for their youngsters to play also appealed.

“When we bought, the house was like when you get old, it was a bit tired and grumpy, we have given it a lot of love,” the owner said.

Jag Homes Developments completed the 18-month renovation about 2.5 years ago.

Period details remain in three front rooms, such as the hallway’s 3m-high ceilings, an original fireplace and decorative front windows.

But the update means the beautiful family home now boasts marble benchtops, American oak floors and large-format tiles, with hydronic heating throughout, including in the open plan living and dining area.

Many meals for family Christmases and birthdays have been cooked on the kitchen’s Miele appliances, and cleaned up in the butler’s pantry where there is a second dishwasher.

The house even once welcomed about 80 people for a 50th birthday.

Then there is the basement wine room that can store about 500 bottles, a tiled, fully automated outdoor pool and alfresco area including a commercial-grade barbecue kitchen, fireplace, pizza oven and zip blinds, making it ideal for year-round entertaining. A basketball court was even installed for their children.

“From the front it is a very humble home, you wouldn’t expect what you see inside,” the owner said.

A built-in bar and coffee station, featuring bi-fold doors and a Billi filter tap with hot and cold water, is another talking point for visitors.

“You can open it up while entertaining and the guests can help themselves,” the owner said.

“Everyone who comes in goes, ‘Wow, I wish I’d thought of that’.”

A study, separate lounge room and four bedrooms, the main with a fully fitted dressing room, add to the appeal.

One of the four bathrooms even has a freestanding bathtub that was part of the original house.

“It was green, but we got it re-enamelled and made it black and white,” the owner said.

The bathrooms’ other drawcards include concealed cisterns, frameless rain-head showers, heated towel rails, in-floor heating and sky lights.

Providing plenty of natural light via either windows or a skylight was a focus of the renovation.

Outside, a tandem triple garage and second driveway offer room to park a boat or caravan.

Matthews Essendon agent Robert Mohovich said the house was in the Mar Lodge estate, which had a single dwelling covenant.

“It’s a really sought after part of Essendon,” Mr Mohovich said.

The house was also a rarity because few homes in the area celebrated their original facades the way No. 82 did, he said.

“It’s a very unique offering for someone who wants that old-meets-new appeal,” Mr Mohovich said.

The house is being sold via expressions of interest with a $5m-$5.5m asking range.

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Originally published as Essendon home’s McCracking reno has amazing bar, pool and 500-bottle wine cellar installed

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