Crafting a Suburb Record - The Story Behind 126 Heath Street, Port Melbourne

Some projects test your skills. Others test your resolve. Then there are those rare projects that do both, and redefine what’s possible.

For me, that was 126 Heath Street, Port Melbourne.

This wasn’t a client brief. It wasn’t part of a portfolio strategy. It was personal. I bought the block with a vision to create something unique, on my own terms. The aim? To push the boundaries of what could be done on a compact site and deliver a high-performance home that was both beautiful and unapologetically functional.

With just 200 square metres to work with, every decision had to be deliberate. We maximised vertical space, introduced natural light through clever orientation, and injected luxury into every inch. The result? A multi-level home with:

• A cantilevered pool over the garage

• A fully soundproofed theatre

• Rooftop deck with city views

• Three bedrooms and a commercial-grade office

• Seamless integration of form and function across all levels

This project went on to win House of the Year at the Master Builders Awards and broke a suburb price record at auction, with over 200 people showing up to see it sell. But what stood out even more to me was the reaction from the trades. I’ll never forget a few of the guys walking in after completion, falling silent for a moment, and then one of them just muttered:

This is next level!

That moment said it all.

This project reminded me why I build. It’s not just about finishing homes - it’s about pushing the envelope, surprising people, and creating spaces that evoke emotion. I built 126 Heath Street to prove that a builder, when driven by pure intent and passion, can elevate a project beyond expectation.

It’s a reminder that the best results come not from compromise, but from clarity of vision, care in execution, and love for the process.