Michael Whitehead’s heritage passion project a baptism of fire

This Ballarat church renovation created plenty of challenges.

Michael Whitehead’s attention to detail has brought new life to the former Ballarat Baptist church. Pictures: Craig Mitchell

Ballarat anaesthetist Michael Whitehead spent 17 years waiting to snap up a derelict Romanesque-style Baptist Church after missing out on it when it was last on the market.

“I used to walk by, and I just had a vision of what could be done – it was a heart before brain decision at the time,” he says.

The CBD icon was built during the gold rush days of 1867 and has had a chequered past – it was The White House restaurant and The Power Station and the Playground night clubs. For a decade it was also a pigeon paradise.

“It had extensive water damage and the front of the building was leaning forward due to the foundation deterioration – there were so many challenges, but we worked through them when we started in 2016,” says Whitehead, who climbed scaffolding and helped strip back paintwork when possible.

Following the extensive and expensive renovation – it took more than three years and $3m all up – it’s now a unique home.

“The brief was to honour the ­architecture of the building and create a liveable modern residence and separate rental apartment,” Whitehead says.

Michael Whitehead.

The grand exterior, 10m vaulted ceilings and heritage-protected walls remain, while a freestanding two-storey glass-walled home has been built within the bluestone framework.

It’s impressive and reflects Whitehead’s passion for perfection and attention to detail.

“Now it’s a sheer joy to be living here and everyone who visits reacts favourably,” he says.

“It’s big but homely and areas can be divided off – the old and the new sit well together and there’s so much natural light from the grand windows and 12 new skylights.”

The imposing entrance has four elegant, fluted Corinthian columns and ornate friezes that have been restored.

The foyer leads to a striking wood pod under the former choir stalls that’s a living area with red leather couches and an entertainment dock.

A slick black kitchen conceals the laundry and butler’s pantry, where Whitehead, who enjoys cooking, often prepares his favourite mushroom risotto for family and friends. The original in-ground baptismal bath near the dining and lounge areas remains.

“It’s quite the talking point and I tossed up what to do with it but due to heritage restrictions put glass over the top, it was so well preserved even from the nightclub days,” he says.

A glassed walkway leads to the upstairs master bedroom and small study and two bedrooms for adult daughters Madeleine and Olivia when they visit.

A simple but striking decor was chosen by Whitehead with statement pieces from his travels.

“My bedroom was designed like the bow of a ship and when I open the glass walls you can really see the fabric of the building with its ornate cornices and friezes,” Whitehead says.

A blue light under the cornices is a subtle nod to the former nightclub days.

A lover of modern art, Whitehead’s curated collection includes Picasso and Miro from Spain, Damien Hirst from the UK, Larry King and Richard Kauffman from the US, Romero Britto from Brazil and photography from the Ballarat International Foto-Biennales.

A simple but striking decor was chosen by Whitehead with statement pieces from his travels.

Hydronically heated flooring throughout keeps it cosy.

Although it’s been an ambitious project, he’s had a great local team with Peter Dunn Associate Architects, Nat Twaits Building and Ballarat restoration experts.

Bliss for Whitehead, who has been the president of the Ballarat Lyric Theatre for the past 12 years, is sitting upstairs with a book listening to music.

Would he do it all again? “The difference is now I know what I am in for – but definitely, yes,” he says.