A home with the perfect combination of history and modern living in Wakefield Gardens

The beautiful extended, renovated and restored home at 94 Wakefield Gardens. Photos: Supplied.

Garden City urban design principles used in the 1920s by Canberra’s founders applied in three precincts in Ainslie, one of which is Wakefield Gardens, constructed between 1925 and 1929 to accommodate middle-income public servants. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 94 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie, was completed in 1937 and listed as a semi-detached home by the (then) Department of the Interior.

It was renovated by the government in 1949 before being sold to the tenant who was then renting the home. Successive owners have lovingly and beautifully renovated, extended and updated the home but retained the heritage features which give the home style, character and historical value.

The home is situated right across the road from the Ainslie shopping centre, and the adjoining wall of the duplex is along the kitchen and living room. The home sits behind a high, established hedge, which provides privacy, and overlooks Wakefield Gardens and playground, established in the 1920s and 30s.

The streetscape of Wakefield Gardens has a character all its own, preserved by heritage lovers and a listing on the ACT Government Heritage Register. Number 94 is no exception, and the cream render and red bricks are a welcoming, familiar sight for the homeowners.

Redbrick pavers lead to the entrance of the home, which opens into the interior of the formal living room, filled with period features, solid polished timber floors, sash windows, high ceilings, red brick fireplace and picture rails.

The front wing of the home is where the formal lounge room, bedrooms, and study are located, while the kitchen, dining, and family room are open plan and flow through the home to the rear of the block, into the architecturally designed extension, brightly lit by vaulted skylights. French doors lead to the verandah, making a perfect shaded spot for an outdoor coffee or a quiet cup of tea with a good book.

The alfresco dining is accessed through the family room or the dining room and sits under a wisteria-covered pergola amid the apple, cherry and noble olive trees.

The home’s bedrooms are spacious and have the same period features which characterise the home. With the beautifully renovated family bathroom situated at one end of the wing, the hallway runs through to the master bedroom suite, which has a walk-in robe and ensuite. The study is located opposite the master bedroom suite and could easily be used as either a home office or a fifth bedroom.

At the rear of the home, the original garage has been converted to a guest suite with its own bathroom, but it could easily be turned into self-contained living quarters with the addition of a kitchenette.

Home.byHolly Principal Holly Komorowski is enthusiastic about the home’s sensitive retention of period features and modern renovations.

“The home has been thoroughly updated but retained its integrity in terms of the period features and character,” said Ms Komorowski.

“The addition of vaulted skylights really light up the home, and the plantation shutters are practical and really suit the style of the residence.

“This home is in a wonderful location, with direct access to the Ainslie shopping centre and close access to the city, and it will be an ideal home for a Canberra family,” she said.

The home has deluxe hydronic gas heating and underfloor heating in both the family bathroom and the ensuite. There is a carport with an auto tilt door which ensures ample off-street secure parking. The home will be auctioned onsite at 6:00 pm on Thursday, 11 March.

You can view this historic but modern home at 94 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie online, and all the latest hot listings on Zango and Zango Million Dollar Homes. For further information, or to book a private viewing, contact Home.byHolly Principal Holly Komorowski on 0434 973 987.