A converted 1890s Wesleyan church at 3/23A Gladstone St, Moonee Ponds is bucking the trend in Melbourne, with buyers paying up to $1.45m for design over a bedroom suite.
Melbourne buyers are paying a premium for houses that break the rules, with a converted Wesleyan church in Moonee Ponds showing just how far buyers will stretch traditional prices.
3/23A Gladstone St, a Moonee Ponds townhouse, carved from an 1890s Wesleyan church, has hit the market with a price guide of $1.35m-$1.45m.
That puts it just below the suburb’s median house price of around $1.6m, despite offering a non-traditional layout that agents say buyers are increasingly choosing over standard homes.
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Jellis Craig Kensington director, John Morello, said on Monday that the property showed a shift from “bedroom computing” to design-driven living.
“This is one of the most unique offerings in the northwest right now,” Mr. Morello said.
“It’s not something you can replicate, you have that 1890s Wesley character combined with a completely different way of life.
“What we’re seeing is that buyers are moving away from the standard checklist. It’s no longer just about how many bedrooms or the size of the land. It’s about how the home feels.”
That change also changes the way homes are valued.
“You can sell bedrooms and land, that part is straightforward,” Mr Morello said.
“But when you face it something like this, with design, volume and those views, becomes subjective.
The original proportions of the church remain the same, with soaring timber-lined ceilings and large volumes redefining the way space is used in this Moonee Ponds conversion.
A built-in study area highlights the shift to flexible living, as consumers prioritize living and working from home over common room calculations.
“That’s where emotion comes in. Consumers are paying for lifestyle and difference.”
The Gladstone St home lives up to that distinction.
A three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with polished concrete floors, coffered ceilings and an open-plan living area centered around a Snaidero kitchen with granite benchtops and Miele appliances.
But it’s the high-end living space that catches the eye.
Complete with its own kitchen and sweeping views back towards the CBD, the luxury living room has become a defining feature during the inspection.
A Snaidero kitchen, finished with granite benchtops and Miele appliances, anchors the open living space in the heart of the former church.
Once a Wesleyan church built in the 1890s, the Gladstone Street site has been transformed into high-end townhouses while retaining its valuable street presence.
“It’s a place that stops people,” said Mr. Morello.
“You go past the house and go up and it completely changes the experience.
“That’s the time consumers communicate.”
The listing comes as competition builds for prime homes in Moonee Ponds, where limited high-quality stock is pushing buyers to act quickly.
Mr Morello said the area’s proximity to the CBD, strong transport links and ongoing amenities continue to attract local buyers and those moving to the area.
The top floor repurposes the original elevation of the church into a flexible second living space, showing why buyers are prioritizing design over conventional architecture.
The sweeping CBD view from the luxury lounge has become the “hero” feature of the home, driving buyer emotion and compelling value beyond standard price metrics.
“It’s incredibly beautiful, and there’s a strong lifestyle here,” she said.
“But what makes it more competitive is the lack of prominent homes.
“When something really different comes out, buyers see it immediately and leave.”
He said this demand is expected to continue until 2026, especially for houses that offer something more than standard buildings.
“The days of just counting bedrooms are over,” said Mr Morello.
“For consumers, the key is to decide. If something stands out, you need to step up because the competition is not easy.”
The home will be auctioned on Saturday, April 18.
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