In some homes, paint on the floor might be a deterrent for a buyer. Not for Michael Slezak and Amy Corderoy, the current owners of 26 Mackenzie Street Leichhardt.

It was Autumn 2019 when they got the keys to the former sign printing factory; a unique warehouse-turned-home that was rich in industrial spirit, scale and potential. Since the mid-90s, it had been occupied by Accurate Signs – a Sydney-based manufacturer of commercial signage – and had the tapestry to prove it. “There were words and stencils of things like horseshoes, branding and random colours marked on the floor, which are still there now,” says owner Michael. “We were looking for ages for a warehouse, but it was very rare to find a place that was in a quiet residential area, had lots of light, was liveable now and had great potential for renovations.”

 

It was as some would say, a sign. “As soon as we walked in, Amy turned to me and whispered “I love it”. It ticked more boxes than we thought any warehouse would be able to tick,” adds Michael. It’s possible the Council-commissioned mural on the outside of the north wall by famous street artist Phibbs, and its prime park-side position, played a role in how quickly they fell for the Leichhardt residence.

“The only thing that needed immediate work when we got the place was the bathroom. We removed the cubicles, had it properly waterproofed, added a big bathtub and so on. We also created an additional 30 square metres of floor space by adding proper flooring and carpeting the area on top of the bedrooms. Because it’s all open plan, the space is endlessly adaptable without any work – so we focussed on getting the right furniture in there and tending to our beloved indoor plants,” laughs Michael.

The ‘right’ furniture for the couple was an eclectic yet considered selection of 1950’s original modernist furniture, which was Michael’s grandmothers. A wall-mounted fire extinguisher pays homage to the property’s working-class roots, as does the roller door entry. Playful vintage additions add further character and include a record player, musical instruments, and cowhide rug. They’ve also worked with leading architectural firm Welsh + Major to cement the potential of the home, with approved plans that reimagine it as a luxuriously industrial, two-story residence with three-bedrooms, an upstairs courtyard, and large windows facing the park. “The plans maintain as much as possible the industrial feel of the house. The beams remain exposed, the open feel of the space is maintained, and it keeps the existing paint-splattered floor wherever possible. We love the floor,” Amy says.

The home has been the space in which their family has come to life, quite literally, with Amy – a former journalist and now doctor, and Michael – a national ABC journalist, welcoming their daughter Billie. Now with a second child on the way, the family are searching for something a little more intimate while they adjust to life with both a school-aged child and newborn. Their time in the home does however prove that what constitutes a ‘family home’ is in the eye of the beholder; no longer defined by a picket fence and backyard. “We created different spaces in the house for the family. We have an upstairs study, and an area downstairs where our daughter plays. We love that wherever we are, we can keep an eye on our daughter, without being right near her. There are also spaces where you can have privacy – in the upstairs areas and the bedrooms,” says Amy.

They add that while the property is many things, most of all, it’s a place of calm. “It’s just the most relaxing space. There is so much room to breathe. When the roller door is open, the space is open to the sky. The street is quiet and the park it is on is beautiful. When we come home at the end of the day, it’s lovely to have so much space at home. And we couldn’t imagine a better place to entertain – it’s been perfect for dinner parties,” Michael says. And while they don’t want to think about leaving the house, they’re optimistic about its future. “It’s a dream home – we hope whoever buys it is as happy as we have been.”

 

View the listing at 26 Mackenzie Street Leichhardt.