Create your own industrial chic in inner-city Leichhardt

BUYERS have the opportunity to purchase a rambling warehouse in Leichhardt, home to an established antique and salvage business for the last 25 years, as 124 James Street heads to auction on Tuesday 27 August.

The prime 875sq m* site is in an elevated location and offers immediate access to City West Link, light rail and the Sydney CBD, and has R1 General Residential Zoning with existing commercial use rights.

The asset is being marketed and sold by Ray White Commercial NSW – Sydney City Fringe Principal Kristian Morris and Sales and Leasing Associate Lachlan Palm.

Mr Morris said the site leveraged from three street frontages in Darley Road, James Street and James Lane and offered the opportunity to create an amazing live and work concept.

“Don’t be deceived by the facade, this rambling warehouse in Leichhardt provides the perfect opportunity to create a unique space for both living and working,” Mr Morris said.

“It’s absolutely ideal for creative types who have vision and are looking for a building with an original and real industrial aesthetic.

“This warehouse certainly has some history too, housing an established antique and salvage business for the last 25 years.

“The owners knew at some point they’d be trading the inner-city life for Byron Bay, and when they found the perfect warehouse up north it was time to make the move, and they are taking their business ‘Elements I love…’ with them.”

Mr Palm said the developer knock down/rebuild option was obvious, but there had also been plenty of interest from arty types, architects and builders who could see beyond that.

“The potential of creating one very large or multiple warehouse spaces utilising the space and the bones of the building’s industrial aesthetic is an exciting prospect,” Mr Palm said.

“The ground floor offers plenty of scope for off-street parking, garaging work vehicles or high bay storage, as well as offices or commercial spaces.

“On the second level – the old floorboards, exposed metal roof trusses and original iron windows where the northern light floods in, would make great open-plan living spaces.

“There’s also a third-storey mezzanine level, accessed by a funky open staircase with windows offering wide district views.”

Owner operators Brooke Crowle and Tim McGuigan have worked their charm on this great space, and it has served them and their business well, but they are now ready for a change.

“If we’d wanted to stay in Sydney, we would have done a work/live renovation on the place. Where else are you going to find a blank canvas like this so close to the city, with abundant natural light, soaring ceilings and original hardwood floorboards,” Ms Crowle said.

“The dream of creating a space where you can live and work is a really attractive prospect to people like us. We’d love to see it retained as an art-based small business site, and they’re becoming very rare in the inner city of Sydney,” Mr McGuigan said.

The auction will take place on Tuesday 27 August at 10.30am at Sydney’s Auction Works.

*Approximately.