From Bourke St to Glenroy: House transformed into a luxe pad by high

Apr 07, 2024

The renovated house at 14 Justin Ave, Glenroy.

Whether leading a Melbourne retail icon’s makeover or renovating a “completely run down” house to a luxurious standard, Michael Lusher doesn’t do things by halves.

A construction manager at building company Dewcape, Mr Lusher was project manager on the $15m refurbishment of six levels in David Jones’ Bourke St flagship department store.

Wrapping up in August 2022, that job saw 18,000sq m of floor space transformed using materials imported from 15 countries.

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Mr Lusher has worked on several other high-end retail and commercial projects in Melbourne and Sydney, while he and his wife also renovated their former Pascoe Vale pad.

Their latest “labour of love” was transforming a house at 4 Justin Ave, Glenroy, into a modern family home.

Mr Lusher and his wife originally planned to live at the house after a 12-month renovation but are selling with plans to potentially move interstate instead.

The kitchen has 900mm appliances, a butler’s pantry and a stone island.

The brutalist-inspired rear entertaining area.

A window opens from the kitchen to the alfresco dining area.

They purchased the house two years ago, which was likely built between 1950-1960.

“I just really loved these tired forgotten three-bedroom weatherboard cottages, most are knocked over to build three townhouses,” Mr Lusher said.

“I feel these old houses deserve a second life, you have beautiful bones at the front of the houses.”

He described the original house as “completely rundown but quite pretty”.

The house was renovated in sympathy with its period origins …

…. but it’s quite a change.

The main bathroom has a bathtub and a shower with a curving wall.

“We moved some walls internally and created a beautiful master suite,” Mr Lusher said.

“I think the original kitchen became the ensuite and walk-in wardrobes.”

Modernising the floor plan involved creating a second living space, plus a room that can be used as either an office or fifth bedroom.

The open-plan living and dining zone has multiple skylights and a kitchen featuring 900mm appliances, a butler’s pantry and stone island.

One of the bedrooms.

The original kitchen featured peach-coloured cupboards and brown floor tiles.

A servery window opens to the undercover outdoor entertaining area where there’s a fridge and food preparation site.

“I used a big brutalist block of Colorbond Standing Seam cladding to house that outdoor entertaining space,” Mr Lusher said.

Another highlight is the large main bathroom boasting curved walls, vibrant blue-grey wall tiles and a horseshoe-shaped shower.

“I created a bit of theatre in there,” Mr Lusher added.

“You could be in a steam room in a five-star hotel.”

There’s plenty of room to cook up a storm.

The house’s facade, pre-renovation.

Zip taps, herringbone hardwood timber floors, heated bathroom flooring, double glazing, plantation shutters and a landscaped garden complete the package.

The house will be auctioned on September 9 with a $1.6m-$1.7m asking range.

Jellis Craig Moonee Valley director Simon Mason has the listing.

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