434 Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne

From the street, the brick wall and the canopy of green give little away. That's part of the appeal. Step inside and the generously scaled home reveals itself around a central atrium open to the sky and enclosed on all sides, with two towering palms glowing atmospherically after dark from lighting below. The dining and living rooms look directly into it through floor-to-ceiling glazing, giving the whole ground floor a quiet connection to the outside. White floor tiles reflect the light upward, timber-framed windows bring warmth, and the brick pressing through the glass adds a textural edge to every room that faces it. The kitchen opens to the dining room, and the living room beyond leads to a generous undercover, paved courtyard, leafy, private and made for easy outdoor living. A European laundry completes the ground level. Upstairs, the main bedroom is set well apart from the rest of the floor, with a walk-in robe and ensuite, creating its own tranquil end of the house. Two further bedrooms, one with robes, share a bathroom at the other end of the landing. The upper level looks out to trees in every direction. A secure, enclosed, undercover car space is also included. Zoning for University High School and North Melbourne Primary School, one of the most sought-after school combinations in the inner north, makes it a strong choice for families. Trams, North Melbourne and Arden stations, Queen Victoria Market, the University of Melbourne, the Parkville Medical Precinct, Melbourne Zoo, Royal Park, Pleasance Gardens, North Melbourne Recreation Centre and Arden Gardens Shopping Centre are all close by. Some homes announce themselves. This one, in its own world, waits to be found.