3rd June 2019: Motor Ace Bassist Matt Balfe’s Blackburn House a Smash Hit at Auction

Motor Ace bassist Matt Balfe with wife Sophie, Rex (right) and Rupert (left) have sold their Blackburn home.
Picture: David Crosling

Written by Jayitri Smiles for realestate.com.au

Motor Ace bassist Matt Balfe's Blackburn slice of modernist magic has hit the right note with buyers at a competitive auction.

The four-bedroom house at 11 Jeffery St, which had a creek running through its huge backyard, sold under the hammer for $1.92 million.

It was called on the market at $1.85 million before quickly racing to its final sale price.

The modernist gem sold for $1.92 million under the hammer.

A formal lounge room with cathedral-style ceilings is a highlight.

The sprawling property, designed by architect David Edelman, attracted three buyers who placed 13 bids between them.

It eventually sold to an architect, who did not want to be named. He said he appreciated the mid-century style of the house and planned to live there with his family.

"We want to do a renovation using the bones of the architecture," he said.

"We also really liked the trees, nature and the creek that runs through the backyard — that's something we've never seen before."

The kitchen looks out across the backyard.

The huge backyard has a creek running through it.

Jeffery St is one of a number of streets surrounding Blackburn Lake Sanctuary with heritage listing due to the native trees and large variety of bird species that frequent the area.

Mr Balfe, who was part of the alternative rock band that gained popularity in the early 2000s, said living there with his family for a few years had been a dream gig.

"I'd always fantasised about living in that street — my sister lives around the corner in the old Masonic lodge," Mr Balfe said.

Balfe was the bassist in the popular alternative rock band Motor Ace.
Picture: David Crosling

The two-storey house was lived in by the family for nearly three years.

The musician said he was moving interstate and playing with his Motor Ace bandmates was also "back on the agenda".

"The band got back together about six months ago and it had been 20 years since we'd played together," he said.

Fletchers Blackburn agent Michael Richardson said the rare property had been very popular with young families who were hoping to break into the tightly-held area.

A casual living area flows out to the garden.

The brick house is on a tranquil and leafy street.

"It's a substantial house with a creek running through the block of land, which is perfect for a family," Mr Richardson said.

The property was a light-filled sanctuary with large windows, timber-lined cathedral ceilings and multiple living spaces.

Visit the REA website with the article here: Motor Ace Bassist Matt Balfe's Blackburn House a Smash Hit at Auction