Walter Burley Griffin is best known as the architect of Canberra, but several suburbs across Sydney and Melbourne were also heavily shaped by his visionary designs.
Now, buyers have been given a rare glimpse inside not one, not two, but three iconic Griffin homes that have hit the market in residential estates designed by the American architect and town planner, and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin.
“It’s a specific market, but that market certainly is very keen on the architecture and unique charm that these properties offer,” said Chris Keane from Stone Real Estate, the selling agent of Sydney’s historic Johnson House.
The Johnson House is one of just 13 surviving Griffin homes in Castlecrag. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The entrance to Johnson House in the 1920s. Picture: Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc. Collection, courtesy of V. Freame and G. Nash
The Johnson House is one of two Griffin-designed homes currently listed for sale in Castlecrag, a small harbourside suburb founded by their development company, the Greater Sydney Development Association (GSDA) in the early 1920s.
An experimental ‘garden city’, Castlecrag’s Burley Griffin estate was designed to embrace the natural Australian landscape – with stone buildings, communal parklands and walking tracks down to the harbour.
The Sydney suburb ‘Castlecrag’ was named after a towering crag of rock overlooking Middle Harbour. Picture: Getty
The suburb plan of Castlecrag and Haven Estates, designed by the Griffins. Source: Griffin Society Incorporated
But while dozens of Griffin homes were designed for the subdivision, just 15 were built. Today, only 13 survive.
“They are very rare to trade,” Mr Keane said. “They don’t transact very often, these particular clients have been in the property for nineteen years.”
The Griffins moved to Australia in 1913 after winning a design competition for the city of Canberra. Picture: The Collection of National Archives of Australia
The Johnson House, Castlecrag, NSW
Built in 1922 for Sir William Elliot Johnson, the federal member for Lang, and his wife, the heritage listed Johnson House has been carefully restored to highlight its unique architectural features with luxurious modern updates.
Original sandstone walls are some 1 metre thick in places. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The Johnson House (left) sits next to the Grant House, where the Griffins lived from 1925 until 1935. The Castlecrag ridgetop was stripped bare of trees for firewood prior to GSDA purchasing the estate in 1921. Picture: Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc. Collection, courtesy of Max Dupain
Encapsulating the signature Griffin style of a modest sandstone home set within its natural landscape, Mr Keane says this home was built to last.
“It’s the only Walter Burley Griffin home [in Castlecrag] that has a subfloor and pitched roof,” he said.
“So compared to other Walter Burley Griffin’s that I’ve sold, it’s in fantastic condition.
“We’ve just had a building and pest report back which is glowing, and that’s not usually the case with these properties simply because of the flat roofs and building straight on to sandstone without subfloor ventilation.”
Retaining its unique Griffin style, with soaring 3 metre high beamed ceilings and a grand stone fireplace. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
A peaceful garden overlooks the saltwater pool. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The three-bedroom home sits on a sprawling 750 sqm level square block with serenely private gardens that flow to a saltwater pool, just footsteps from Castlecrag village.
The home retains its original sandstone walls, some 1m thick in places, that were locally quarried on the site.
Most Griffin homes in Castlecrag were modest in size. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Johnson House roundel window, built in 1921. Picture: Walter Burley Griffin Society Incorporated Collection, courtesy Max Dupain
The soaring 3-metre-high beamed ceilings, grand stone fireplace and custom-made replica Cedar windows blend seamlessly with modern luxuries including gas underfloor heating and high-end appliances.
The galley style kitchen and dining room with stone bench tops and Bosch appliances. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Two renovated bathrooms offer luxury and character. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The Johnson House is scheduled for auction on Saturday 16 September, with a price guide of $3.9 million.
The Fishwick house, Castlecrag
With panoramic views over Middle Harbour and set over more than 800 sqm, Fishwick house is one of the most historically significant early 20th century buildings in Australia.
The Fishwick house underwent a major restoration in the 1990s and retains much of its original fabric. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
This photograph of Fishwick House was taken from “Edinburgh Castle” rock, Tower Reserve, the highest point at Castlecrag. Picture: Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc. Collection
One of just two Griffin houses in the suburb built to such a grand scale and budget, the property underwent an award-winning restoration in the late 1990s and remains the jewel in Castlecrag’s crown.
The iconic home captures picturesque Middle Harbour views from a landscaped 809sqm parcel. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The formal lounge and dining area with windows that frame its harbour views. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Designed to gracefully unite with its bushland and harbour setting, windows frame never-to-be-built-out views across Middle Harbour and the distant Pacific Ocean.
At one with nature in the master bedroom. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Set over two storeys – rare for a Griffin home – Fishwick house includes ducted central heating, a built-in garage, large rooftop terrace and library.
A lavish library looks out to the garden. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The Fishwick house is scheduled for auction on Sat 23 September.
Lippincott House, Eaglemont, Victoria
Described as one of Australia’s most significant residential treasures, Lippincott House sits within the Glenard Estate – another Griffin-designed ‘garden city’ subdivision in Eaglemont in Melbourne’s north east.
Lippincott House was designed in 1917 by Walter Burley Griffin, Marion Mahony Griffin and their brother-in-law Roy Lippincott. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The iconic residence was home to Walter Burley Griffin’s sister, Genevieve and her husband. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Designed in 1915 and predating Castlecrag, the entire estate is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
With its emphasis on nature, craftsmanship and simplicity, Lippincott House features a soaring gable roofline, geometric windows and decorative brickwork that exudes the Griffin’s signature architectural style.
A chance to own a piece history brimming with early 20th century architecture. Picture: realestate.com.au
Owned by several generations of the one family, the three-bedroom home’s history has been celebrated while tasteful updates have been commissioned to bring in modern comforts.
Natural timber accents of ceiling beams, window frames and polished floorboards extend throughout the evocative two-level interior, complemented by hydronic heating, split-system air conditioning and a security alarm system.
Geometric windows showcase Griffin’s signature style. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The solid timber kitchen has been updated with Smeg and Miele appliances. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
At the rear is a triple carport and a separate north-facing, single-level apartment in the modernist style that offers incredible flexibility.
A home of important historical significance, Lippincott House was the original residence of Roy Lippincott and his wife Genevieve – Walter Burley Griffin’s sister – with the Griffins building their home ‘Pholiota’ next door.
Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin in 1930. Picture: National Library of Australia
Lippincott House has a price guide of $2.1m-$2.3m. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Lippincott House is listed with a price guide of $2.1m-$2.3m. Expressions of interest close Tuesday 26th September at 5pm.