A Northgate property transformation has resulted in a custom-built home now available for purchase after food influencer Shannon Cooper converted what she called “the most expensive shed in Northgate” into her dream residence.
The property at 107 Gympie Street represents one of two adjacent properties Ms. Cooper purchased from the same owner before subdividing the land into three plots. The original structure on this particular plot was an older house being used as a shed, which the local council had determined was unsafe for habitation.
The unsafe conditions included “massive cracks all through the ceiling” and floors that were “sunken in places,” according to Ms. Cooper, who runs the Instagram account My Food Religion.
Rather than attempting to renovate the dangerous structure, Cooper opted for a complete rebuild while residing in the neighbouring home. She collaborated with RedDoor Architects to design a house that would meet council requirements while complementing the character of other buildings in the Northgate streetscape.
The new design focused on maximising space on the small Northgate lot while maintaining attractive outdoor areas. This approach has proven successful, with Place Ascot agent Janelle McKenna noting that many potential buyers mistake the new construction for a renovation, believing it to be seamlessly integrated with the neighbourhood’s aesthetic.
The Northgate home features architectural elements designed to enhance spaciousness, including high ceilings and large voids, plus significant glass openings connecting to the backyard. This design allowed Cooper to monitor her daughter in the backyard pool from various vantage points inside the home.
Cooper and her family have now decided to relocate to the Sunshine Coast, though she expressed that she’ll particularly miss the kitchen, which served as an ideal space for her content creation and recipe development work.
The Northgate property is scheduled for auction on Saturday, March 29.
Published 15-March-2025