Buyers snap up $1.205m South Yarra Victorian-era home with big plans ahead

A classic Victorian-era home in South Yarra has sold under the hammer, with its new owners set to transform the heritage home into something special.

Victorian charm meets modern potential—this South Yarra home, sold for $1.205m, offers its new owners a rare chance to restore a freestanding classic in one of Melbourne’s most sought-after locations.

A South Yarra home has sold for $1.205m under the hammer, with two determined bidders going head-to-head to secure a freestanding Victorian style home in the suburb’s tightly held golden triangle.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 6 Tyrone St had a $1m opening bid, drawing strong interest before the price pushed past the home’s $1.1m-$1.2m price guide.

Whitefox Classic’s Michael Torcasio said the home’s prime position, dual street access, and renovation potential made it a standout.

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“This one had all the right ingredients,” Mr Torcasio said.

“Freestanding homes in this pocket are hard to come by, and buyers recognised the opportunity.”

Mr Torcasio said bidding came down to just two parties, with competition intensifying as the price edged upwards over 16 bids.

A centrepiece of history — the home’s original fireplace sits on a solid concrete foundation, one of many heritage details the new owners plan to preserve while modernising the space.

Rare dual street access and a garage at the rear make this South Yarra property even more valuable in a tightly held inner-city pocket.

“It wasn’t the frenzy we expected, but the final battle was tense,” he said.

The home’s heritage character and 172sq m block opposite the historic Braille Library Hall attracted buyers looking for a classic Victorian era home with scope to restore or rebuild.

The winning buyers, CK Mak and Yvonne Ho, had long wanted to buy in South Yarra but previously found it out of reach.

From fixer-upper to dream home — the buyers plan to restore the Victorian facade while transforming the interiors into a stylish three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with a master retreat upstairs.

Dated but full of potential — the existing kitchen is functional but will soon make way for a sleek, contemporary redesign tailored to modern living.

Now downsizing from a larger home in Hawthorn East, they were determined to win.

“We just looked at each other — we knew this was it,” Mr Mak said.

Mr Mak said while the home is rich in Victorian charm, the home needs significant renovation, with cracked walls, uneven floors, and outdated interiors.

“It’s got beautiful bones but needs work,” he said.

A fresh start — the new owners envision a reconfigured layout, with a brand-new kitchen flowing into an open-plan living space, perfect for entertaining

“We’ll keep the facade, restore the front rooms, and modernise the rest.”

Plans include a new kitchen, additional bathroom, and a master suite upstairs, all while retaining key heritage features like fireplaces and decorative ceilings.

Mr Torcasio said location played a major role in the result.

Ready for an upgrade — the home’s single bathroom, featuring gold-trimmed shower screens, will be completely redesigned as part of the renovation.

A dream come full circle — the buyers, who once saw South Yarra as out of reach, have returned to the suburb they’ve always loved, ready to create their forever home.

“South Yarra is the ultimate lifestyle suburb,” he said.

“With Chapel Street, Prahran Market, and Fawkner Park all within walking distance, buyers know properties like this don’t come up often.”

For Mr Mak and Ms Ho, it was more than just a purchase — it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream to return to a neighbourhood they had always loved.

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Originally published as Buyers snap up $1.205m South Yarra Victorian-era home with big plans ahead