Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, not even the towering green “walls” of virginia creeper of this White Gum Valley home would stop Superman dropping in on Lois Lane.
But if he isn’t careful he might catch his red outside undies on the manicured wall of colourful bougainvillea fronting the lane that bears his sweetheart’s name.
A super sense of direction is needed to avoid getting lost in this quirky ‘50s–modernist-design home with its industrial chic style.
Sitting on 500sqm, the four-bedroom abode is really two homes in one.
The ground floor was originally an enormous studio for the vendor, artist Andrew Hayim-de-Vries, before being converted into a super-sized open plan living/dining kitchen–with an uber-industrial edge–and two massive bedrooms.
The upstairs has the look and feel of a funky New York warehouse conversion, and has even bigger open living spaces than the ground floor.
Garage Mahal is high on the WGV rise, and a plethora of glass doors and windows have views of the ocean, the port, the monument and a green swathe that is the golf course.
By deliberate design this home is really just a big shed, a very big one, and a brilliant example of passive solar design.
Interior walls are Tek-screwed in place, which means they can be moved around to change rooms virtually at will.
The virginia wall grows over recycled fencing a metre or so off the building, creating a shade-filled breezeway that helps keep the home cool in summer.
In autumn there’s a spectacular display of colour as the leaves fall, allowing winter sun to pour in through the north facing windows during winter.
Rain and shower water is diverted to a subterranean grey-water irrigation system watering gardens and lawn.
The system in the gorgeous outdoor bathroom ensures a stand of fruiting banana and frangipani trees flourish.
Downstairs has a delightful courtyard garden and vegie patch, and an undercover barbecue kitchen, to enjoy the great outdoors.
Upstairs there’s a huge patio/deck, with a walkway running the length of the building, louvres give cooling cross ventilation and soothing green views to the coast.
There’s no shortage of storage space at the rear of the home or in the generous double car garage at the front.
Just around the corner there’s a great local cafe, you can smell it brewing I’m sure, or wander across Carrington Street to find an assortment of shops and cafes.
Or jump on a bus on South Street and you’re in Fremantle in no time.
If you’re after something that screams “21st century Fremantle” you wouldn’t go far wrong with this very modern Marvel (yes, I know, I know, Superman is DC).
by JENNY D’ANGER
Lois Lane, White Gum Valley
$949,000
Stefanie Dobro
0409 229 115
Caporn Young | 9335 5977