One of Sydney’s true trophy warehouses, this building is perhaps best known as the original home for the Oh Boy Candy Company in Lilyfield.

Along the way, comedian Merrick Watts commissioned architect Virginia Kerridge to convert it into a residential home, creating a bold expression of both history and urban design.

Now owned by renowned renovator Cherie Barber (co-host of Channel Nine’s Space Invaders and founder of Renovating For Profit), the residence has won multiple accolades, including two prestigious honors at the Australian Institute of Architects Awards in 2013.

Much has been said about the building’s rich narrative, heralding its salvaged design elements, reclaimed wharf timbers and ship masts, while also nodding to its life as a family home and entertainer.

Now offered to market by BresicWhitney’s Shannan Whitney and Chris Nunn with a guide of $9 million, we sat down with Cherie to go beyond the incredible design.

Looking at 42 Alberto Street, Lilyfield as a home gives us a glimpse of what life is like for Cherie, her fiancé Matt, her daughter Milan, cat Snowbell and teacup Chihuahua Bella.

 

 

 

BW: It’s a warehouse that seems to speak to its Inner West location. How does it fit into its surrounds as a home and unique space?

Cherie: The Inner West has a strong industrial history and this home was proudly part of that. The original warehouse was built in 1920 and was home to the Oh Boy Candy Company, a lolly factory. I sometimes try to visually imagine all the workers, machines and products being manufactured in the property, back in the day. I’ve even searched for historical photographs of the property, but wasn’t able to find anything. I’m someone who loves it when our old buildings are preserved and re-invented in a modern way and this home has very successfully retained so many original features of the warehouse factory such as fire hydrants, old cogs, original brickwork. It’s a visual feast, depending on which way you look.

 

 

BW: Much fanfare has been made about the carefully curated details. What has become your favourite feature?

Cherie: I love all the exposed timbers right throughout the warehouse, but especially in the original roof trusses. They are such a beautiful feature of this home and at different times of the day, can have a completely different look. The 400-year-old ship mast over the courtyard area is a very special feature of this house with all its original notches in it. I love that there is so much history to this one piece and it’s just another thing that makes the home so unique.

BW: And as an entertainer? It must have made some memories?

Cherie: We hosted a 50th birthday party that I threw in the warehouse for a family member. We had about 100 people at the party and the space could have easily fitted another 200 or 300 people. It’s obvious from your first impression that the house is ready-made for parties and events, with all the areas so large.

 

 

 

BW: How do you think this space goes beyond the norm of a family home? How does it encourage us to live?

Cherie: This house is the true definition of open-plan living with the perfect indoor/outdoor connection, especially with all the big glass sliding doors and windows that open up or disappear away. The home is a large concrete, brick and timber structure that feels almost fortress-like however, because the residential conversion has been so strategically thought out, it has this incredible feeling of being outdoors. This makes you feel super relaxed while in the space. The large banksia tree in the middle of the warehouse is home to so many birds and even a few native possums that all make the home feel like it’s got the most perfect connection to outside life.

BW: And the location in Lilyfield itself?

Cherie: I’ve spent the last 22 years living in Balmain and Birchgrove but have really loved my time living at Lilyfield. There’s a lot less traffic to contend with, the streets are super quiet, they’re much wider in size which means easier accessibility and finding a car parking spot is never a problem in Lilyfield. Callan Park is only 200 metres away from here, and being such a large, beautiful waterfront parkland, it’s perfect for anyone who loves to exercise. You can easily walk up the street with a picnic basket and blanket and spend a very relaxing day there. I think Callan Park is now better than Centennial Park, and will only continue to get better as they roll out all the improvements they’re currently making here.