This Annandale home shares much in common with some of Sydney’s iconic buildings including Boomerang in Elizabeth Bay, Central Station, the State Library, the Capitol Theatre and St Mary’s Cathedral. 

All these spaces are home to tiling, mosaic art, and terrazzo handiwork from the Melocco Brothers. And it was here in Annandale where those famous brothers made their home.

Peter, the elder, built 86 Johnston Street for the brothers and 84 Johnston Street was created to entice their mother to come and live in Sydney. Originally from Friuli, the brothers left pieces of Italy dotted throughout each house.

 

This particular villa was built with a classical Italian pond (featuring a lion, the Venetian mark of strength), a glorious entrance of terrazzo floors. The stairs were handcrafted in their own creation called Scagliola, a concrete made to look like marble.

The fireplace is a replica from their family home in Italy and the ceilings are handcrafted with spectacular detail, giving the luxury feel of a piano nobile. In the back garden, the stone bench from the family photos still remains.

The Melocco Brothers were one of Sydney’s great artistic families, crafting interior details for our cities most memorable buildings.

– Mosaic work in the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park. 
– Frieze and mosaic in the Central Station ticket office.
– The Tasman map mosaic floor of the State Library of NSW
– Decorations throughout the State Theatre.
– The Capitol Theatre, cinemas, offices and banks.
– The Commonwealth Bank in Martin Place.
– The crypt within St Mary’s Cathedral

Around 90% of the decorative work in marble, terrazzo or scagliola in Sydney between 1910 and 1965 is thought to have been done by the brothers’ firm.

Now on the market with Chris Nunn from BresicWhitney, this offering is of Johnston Street’s stately homes with a premier address on 370sqm of land. From the conservatory-style living space that connects with a courtyard, to the outdoor entertaining area with pizza oven and firepit, it’s a snapshot in time that has been through fully preserved.

These rare pieces of Sydney history are always sought after.

View more: 84 Johnston Street, Annandale