A Balmoral retail and residential character building housing a book shop owned by Christina Brazier, mother of Hello Sailor lead singer, Graeme Brazier, will be auctioned next month.
"This special 1920s property was the home of Graham and his mother, and patrons of the bookshop would sometimes find him here strumming his guitar," says Michael Greer of Ray White Broadway who is marketing the affordable work-live property at 714 Dominion Rd for sale by auction at the agency's office at 136 Broadway, Newmarket at 6.30 pm on Wednesday March 16.
Greer says the 156.04 sq m vacant building over two levels encompasses a 71.53 sq m ground floor retail shop with an upstairs 84.51 sq m two bedroom and one bathroom flat.
He says Graham Brazier's parents, Philip and Christina Brazier, purchased the property in 1963 and converted it from a cake shop to a book shop which she named Dominion Books.
"The generally level freehold 331 sq m site comes with a garden and parking at the rear that allows for future development, while its B2 zoning permits a wide range of uses including retailing, office and service related activities. The zoning is designed to recognise the importance of main retail frontages for pedestrians in traditional suburban retail centres," Greer says.
"This is an opportunity for a buyer to acquire a notable property in an original condition to enable them to get into the commercial market and earn potential income."
Dual access to the upstairs residence is from either the side of the building or through the shop with a direct entry onto the Dominion Rd and which is located within a suburb block of retail shops which also date back to the 1920s.
"Having exposure to the main arterial route of Dominion Road, this property is in a good suburban location with high visibility to passing traffic," Greer says.
Surrounding tenancies include a Chinese restaurant, convenience store, cafe and mixed use commercial building housing a physiotherapist and healthcare facilities.