50 Wybalena Grove, Cook, ACT 2614

Wybalena Grove just seems to get better, perhaps it's the timeless good design or the felt sense of preciousness - a preserved retreat from the ever enclosing hustle and bustle. As you turn onto the private road that winds through the bushland, you feel an immediate vibe– serene, hidden, informed by a soulful and sustainable architectural wisdom. 

No.50 bears all the hallmarks of this unique experience – access via a leafy path, glimpses of the encircling open reserve, low lying form bookended by decks that float you amidst a green tranquillity. The magical front entry sequence includes a small bridge across a pond, set beneath the reaching arms of a wattle tree, an enclosure of beautiful plantings. The iconic 70's form - natural timber, dark tiled roof, dark bricks - lending this peaceful two-bedder a bespoke modernist allure.

Nestled on the slopes of Black Mountain, within the coveted suburb of Cook, the home is enviable for its easy proximity to a mix of bohemian cafes and larger metropolitan centres. Designed by the famous architect, Michael Dysart, the complex of townhouses is an example of the 20th century Sydney regional style. Collaboratively built on 11 hectares of reserve, the buildings were designed to blend within the site, offering a combo of privacy and easy access to communal spaces. Playing oval, pizza oven and children's playgrounds and community garden engender a lovely, shared spirit. A solar generation system powers the lighting to the public areas. 

We love the pop of spearmint green that adorns the foyer, the eye drawn upward to the lofty voids, the rich timber of the stairwell. We love the walls of glazings that open to the north and the earthy timber of the planation shutters that filter a golden light. And we love the clever upgrades that have created a fusion of harmonious mid-century design alongside modern comforts like air-conditioning, built-in-storage and boosted insulation. 

Living and dining are informed by sumptuous textural bagged brick walls, exposed timber beams, soaring ceilings. From here you can open the room to embrace the sheltered alfresco decking, the curated gardens and the magnificence of the far reaching bush. The western side of the home is double-glazed, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing rows of camellias and roses. The split level design following the natural contours of the sloping bush site, stepping you up to the renovated kitchen, nestled beneath the floating study above. 

The tree-house design comes into its own as you ascend the stairs, past the bathroom combined laundry on the left, finished in concordant nougat, and up to the top level. The master bedroom opening to a private balcony, floating you among the treetops. The second bedroom also frames bushland views and both rooms have ample built-in-storage and the delight of new pendant lighting, like so many floating clouds. The study hovers in place and gifts views out and across the kitchen; a floor to ceiling window adding a lovely exclamation point of light. 

Cook occupies a leafy corner in the Belconnen district and is flanked by reserves. Boasting thriving community gardens, parkland, Mt Painter reserve, walking and biking trails, it is a mere 8 minutes' drive to the Arboretum. There is easy access to Jamison Plaza, Belconnen precinct, and Aranda shops. The home is also close to transport, schools, the AIS, Bruce Stadium and the UC. And only ten minutes' drive to the CBD and the ANU.

features.
.beautifully renovated two-bedroom townhouse in coveted Wybalena Grove
.pristinely private and deeply quiet
.opening to large alfresco decking on two sides
.designed by renowned architect Michael Dysart
.beautifully preserved architectural features – terracotta roof, oiled timber, internal timber joinery and timber floors 
.split level design
.light filled and airy with high ceilings
.elevated modern kitchen with banks of cabinetry, Westinghouse electric oven and ceramic cooktop, rangehood and dishwasher from Samsung
.sunken living combined dining
.wall of glazing with timber plantation shutters opening to rear Merbau decking with pergola 
.welcoming foyer with bathroom combined laundry to one side
.generous master bedroom with wall of timber framed robes and glass sliders onto a private balcony
.second bedroom with built-in-robe and bushland views
.new woollen carpeting to bedrooms
.RC split system to each bedroom
.floating office 
.George Nelson reproduction 'bubble saucer' light shades upstairs
.double glazing to western windows 
.freshly painted interiors
.meter box rewired
.new cement rooftiles, sarking and Earthwool ceiling insulation
.gutter-guard 
.new subfloor drainage system 
.new hot water system with stainless steel tank (2018) 
.storage shed
.dedicated covered parking space
.beautifully maintained communal facilities including playing field, pizza oven, playgrounds and community garden
.a few steps from bike paths and bush walking with scenic views
.handy to Mt Painter Reserve
.short walk to local primary and secondary schools, Jamison Shopping Centre, and health and fitness facilities
.nearby bus stop with quick, direct connections to the ANU, CSIRO, and the CBD
.close to the bustling Belconnen precinct

fine details (all approximate)
.eer 2.5
.living size 82m2
.rates $726.95 p/q
.body corporate $630.82 p/q (subject to change at upcoming AGM) 
.strata manager LMM Solutions 
.build date 1976