THE old adage don’t judge a book by its cover was never more appropriate than at this Bateman Road home in Mt Pleasant.

From the street it’s a blank, dare I say dreary canvas, not helped by a very sad garden – and totally denuded block next door.

But then you look again, and there’s a shift in perception because there’s a magnificent liquid amber and a soaring gum tree to use as the base for a beautiful garden.

Entry is via a door onto an atrium, which is open to the two-car garage, and like the garden is in need of a bucket of TLC.

So things are not looking good for this 1956 home you’re thinking; but you’d be wrong because inside the architecturally designed abode are great bones just waiting for a facelift to make it a 21st century showpiece.

Step inside and your realise this place really has something, as you take in river and hill views thanks to timber-framed floor-to-ceiling windows.

Add a sweep of jarrah floors and a stunning raw brick fireplace and this is classic 1950s.

Like most of the fittings the kitchen is original, and it goes without saying needs work.

But what it has in spades is space – and great views from the kitchen sink.

Pink was in for bathrooms in the 1950s, and this one is either a vintage delight, or a shocker, depending on whether pink walls, bath, pedestal basin, and grey and pink tiled floors are your thing.

Two of the bedrooms are on this level, one with river views.

Each is original down to the built-in-robes, which would benefit from a sledge hammer approach.

Featured in the paper as a prime example of modern architecture and a property that cleverly utilised the lay of the land to showcase panoramic views of the river and hills, the home was constructed on solid limestone foundations.

Which allowed a third bedroom (with river views), laundry and a huge games/alfresco area tucked under the massive foundations.

The large terraced gardens beyond needs work, but with 1053sqm to work with it would be a labour of love.

by JENNY D’ANGER

115 Bateman Road, Mt Pleasant
auction February 18, 1pm
Shelley Clayton
0417 963 670
Mark Clayton
0411 552 309
Shelmark Real Estate
6267 5151