This rare and remarkable Battery Point home was designed by celebrated Hobart architect Eric Round, who created other classic Hobart buildings such as the Empire Hotel (now The Republic) in North Hobart and the heritage-listed Jet Service Station in Sandy Bay.
A spectacular and cutting-edge design in 1939, the house carries its history with style and enters the 21st century as a timeless example of its era.
Rising majestically from the high side of Clarke Avenue, Tasmania’s premier residential address, the three-bedroom, two-storey brick home is large, light-filled and comfortable, with sweeping 180 degree views of the harbor and estuary of the River Derwent.
This fine and much-loved home is an outstanding example of Art Deco Moderne architecture. It retains many interesting and original features of the period, including Saturne light shades, Bakelite door handles, beveled glass panelled doors and stepped architraves and skirting boards. Many of these architectural items were imported from America and are still in excellent condition.
The architect’s brother Harry was the first owner. He enjoyed entertaining and No. 17 was known in Clarke Avenue as ‘the party house’. The room where Harry’s guests danced has narrow Tasmanian myrtle floorboards, which make a dense and beautiful floor. The rest of the house is floored with polished Tasmanian Oak.
The lower level of the house includes a generous entry foyer, the main curved living room with open fireplace, the ‘ballroom’ or dining room (or potential 4th bedroom), separate lavatory/hand basin, kitchen and sunroom.
The refurbished and modernised kitchen has quality European appliances and stainless-steel benchtops. It leads through to a bright, open and sunlit breakfast room with glass walls that give a picturesque view of the landscaped rear garden, with its quince, greengage, plum, nectarine, cumquat and olive trees, as well as multiple standard and bush roses, peonies and many unusual shrubs and flowers.
Back inside, wide carpeted stairs rise up to a generous central landing, off which are three bedrooms, each with built-in robes. There is also a dressing-room/storage area, large bathroom and separate lavatory on this level.
The main bedroom has an expansive curved window, maximizing light and views. Another bedroom opens through a glass door to a Juliet balcony with sensational elevated views downriver and up to the Tasman Bridge. The entire final stretch of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, from the Iron Pot lighthouse to the finish line, is in full view from these rooms. The right-hand bedroom or study opens onto a glassed-in balcony with its own magnificent panorama towards the city.
Other features of the house include a downstairs lavatory, laundry, a storage room and a very large workshop with house access. There is off-street parking in a secure garage.
17 Clarke Avenue is within easy walking distance of Battery Point’s historic village precinct, the bistros, galleries and famous Saturday market in Salamanca Place and the colourful waterfront and docks of Hobart.
RE/MAX Properties sales consultant Judith Viney is privileged and proud to present this beautiful property. To arrange an inspection, please call her on 0417 101 936.

All information contained herein is gathered from sources we believe to be reliable. However we cannot guarantee its accuracy and interested persons should rely on their own enquiries.