Ballarat: A beautiful renovation transforms a 1950s ‘ruins of a house’ into a modern masterpiece

The house at 45 Gillis Street, Alfredton, was a labor of love for its owners, who are now selling it.

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A ‘powerhouse’ couple in Ballarat have transformed a derelict 1950s house into a charming pad complete with a stunning leisure garden at the back.

The epic renovation project was undertaken by Janie McCrudden and her partner Mitch Walton, who purchased the ‘ruins of a house’ at 45 Gillis Street, Alfredton, in 2020.

McCrudden says she and Walton have a personal passion for architecture and interior design, as Walton also works in the construction industry.

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The couple engaged both a builder and an architect to bring their vision of a modern home with an industrial feel to life—and enough space for their adult children to stay when visiting.

Sumptuous kitchen with brick and wood accents.

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The main living area has floor-to-ceiling windows.

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Swimming pool and luxurious outdoor entertainment area.

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They also designed and planted a lush, low-maintenance garden, with a “fantastic outdoor entertaining area”, built entirely around a central 62-year-old gum tree.

Here, a heated in-ground pool and outdoor shower join the covered dining area with a pizza oven, two wine refrigerators, a blue fireplace, an overhead electric heater, and even outdoor blinds to keep the space warm in the winter.

“We love being outside, so when we designed it there was a list of things it had to include,” McCrudden says.

What the house at 45 Gillis Street looked like before the renovation. Photo: Supplied

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Before: What the kitchen looked like. Photo: Supplied

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After: The kitchen got a great upgrade.

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“We love going out in the morning, eating breakfast and showering outdoors…it’s a wonderful tropical green area.”

After enjoying the finished product over the past year, the couple has now put the house on the market for an asking price between $1.675 million and $1.775 million, as they prepare to complete another renovation.

One of the house’s four bedrooms.

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“We’re a real powerhouse,” McCrudden says.

“We work really well together and we have a mutual understanding that if we don’t like it, we won’t pull or push each other. It’s been a great journey but it’s definitely been rewarding.”

Inside, she describes the house as having a “luxurious and moody” feel.

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Behind the weatherboard facade, the front living room retains original features such as restored cornices, while woven wool carpeting and a built-in gas fireplace add to the mid-century charm.

The rear extension features an open-plan design incorporating a stylish kitchen complete with velor stone countertops, Bosch appliances and a butler’s pantry.

Bathroom with elegant basin.

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Covered outside space with built-in braai.

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Across the spacious family living area, vaulted ceilings, exposed steel beams and a log fire create a luxurious, rustic interior overlooking the gardens.

Additionally, there are heated wood floorboards throughout.

Jellis Craig Ballarat agent, Brooke Reynolds, says the property is in a rare location in the suburb of Alfredton, close to Lake Wendouree but offers a reasonable price.

She adds that the “prestigious outdoor living” option attracts buyers looking for a low-maintenance home with lots of green space.

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emily.holgate@news.com.au