Authentic Mid Century Modern, High Above the City
Zoned for Glenunga International High School, and an exceptional selection of Adelaide's most prestigious private and public schools less than a ten-minute drive.
Perched into the hillside with the suburbs, city and coastline unfolding below, this unmistakably 1965 home is a rare example of Australian residential modernism that has remained remarkably true to its origins. Custom designed by architect Ron Byrne of Woods, Bagot, Laybourne Smith and Irwin, its slate and cork floors, mosaic tiles, walls of glass and beautifully honest materials remain much as they were intended, giving the home a character and authenticity that simply cannot be recreated.
There is something wonderfully confident about mid-century design, and here it is expressed with remarkable clarity. The architecture responds naturally to the slope of the land, embracing the elevation rather than competing with it, while full-height windows draw the extraordinary outlook into almost every aspect of daily life. Faithful to the architect's original vision, this is a home that will resonate deeply with enthusiasts of the era - an increasingly rare opportunity to experience mid-century architecture with its integrity intact.
Its architectural significance was profiled in Tim Reeves' 2025 book, Adelaide Modernism: 101 Houses, a richly illustrated survey of Adelaide's modernist residential architecture from 1939 to 1974.
At its heart, open-plan living and dining provides a warm, relaxed gathering place, with a combustion heater ready for cool Adelaide Hills evenings and expanses of glass ensuring the view is never far away. Beyond, the fully glazed sunroom feels almost suspended above the landscape - a remarkable place to read, entertain or simply sit and watch the light move across the valley before another spectacular sunset settles over the coast.
The spacious kitchen remains wonderfully evocative of its era, complete with a built-in breakfast bar positioned at the window. Morning coffee comes with a view here, as does dinner preparation, washing up and all those ordinary rituals that become something altogether different when you're looking out across Adelaide.
Three generous bedrooms provide plenty of private space, while beneath the home, a double garage incorporates a wine cellar. A separate, large and lockable garage/rumpus room has its own roller door and space for at least two additional vehicles. Accessed via a discreet staircase, this versatile space offers exceptional flexibility for secure storage, recreation or future living accommodation, with the potential to create additional living quarters, subject to council consent (STCC).
Outside, the garden is deliberately natural and beautifully at ease with its surroundings. Birdlife is abundant, koalas are regular visitors and established vegetation creates a sense of privacy and connection to the landscape - remarkable when the city below remains so close.
And then there is Mount Osmond itself. Long coveted for its elevation, exclusivity and extraordinary proximity to both nature and the city, it offers a lifestyle unlike almost anywhere else in Adelaide. Mount Osmond Golf Course is moments away, schools and shopping are within easy reach, with an alternative access route connecting directly to local amenities while avoiding the freeway. The CBD is just minutes down the hill. Return home, however, and the pace shifts completely.
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