Kew has long held a particular place in Melbourne’s imagination. Perched above the bends of the Yarra River, the suburb combines expansive parklands with a rich architectural history, creating a neighbourhood that feels established, yet quietly evolving.

The area around Studley Park is distinctive. Streets curve gently toward the river valley, and mature trees forming a leafy canopy overhead. From here, residents can step directly into Yarra Bend Park – one of the largest areas of natural bushland that remains so close to the city – where walking trails, cycling paths and riverbank views allow for a certain kind of daily rhythm.

It’s also a pocket that features some of the most iconic mid-century homes, from Anatol Kagan to Robin Boyd, Graeme Gunn to McGlashan Everist. Architecture throughout Kew reflects the suburb’s layered past. Edwardian and Queen Anne homes sit beside mid-century residences and newer contemporary additions. With such a rich design background, the area has attracted influential voices in Australian architecture, including John Wardle and Corbett Lyon have made the neighbourhood their home. Adding to the cultural cache of Kew, Lyon even built the Lyon Housemuseum, a public gallery to showcase his private collection.

Despite its tranquillity, Kew is far from removed. High Street and Kew Junction remain the social centre where cafés, restaurants and boutiques serve the community. It is this balance – between village life and proximity to the city – that continues to make the suburb so enduringly appealing.

For Piccolo House, this balance has been essential in selecting the site for 18 Barry Street.

“We don’t pick sites just based on opportunity. It has to feel right. I imagine the residents walking the neighbourhood – if I’m not swept away by it, our residents won’t be either,” says Managing Director Michael Piccolo.

For Hecker Guthrie Director Stacey van Harn, the interior vision and material palette for Barry Street draws on the modernist references while responding to the character of Kew. The interiors combine soft white tones, whitewashed oak and vein-cut silver travertine to create spaces that feel calm, generous and enduring. As van Harn explains, the intention was to craft homes that feel cohesive and liveable – interiors that provide a refined backdrop for art, furniture and the rhythms of everyday life.

Piccolo House  – 18 Barry St, Kew will begin construction in April 2026. For those considering a home within this remarkable setting, private appointments are available for a limited time.