The house is close to brand new and not much of the original has survived. It sits well on the block, with no wasted land at the front and access from both sides, though side access is limited. The landscaping at the rear needs to mature further to prevent some slight overlooking, but that is fixable and shouldn't deter anyone for whom this home is a fit.

This is where the house shines, and finally I get to sing some praises in this category. Being just completed, it should be built to the new 7 star standard, and double glazing throughout is a big plus as well as the most costly upgrade of its kind. I would have loved to see solar and hydronic heating, but it looks and feels like a good envelope, so temperature regulation shouldn't be a costly exercise. Solar would be a straightforward upgrade; hydronic heating outside the bedrooms might prove challenging, because almost every square inch of the house has been put to good use.

Looking at recent sales in the area over the past six months, 5 Gibbs Street stands almost alone for a near flawless period renovation on a compact block. Fixtures and fittings are, well, fitting. Not over the top, but good enough that they should stand the test of time. If I had to find a complaint, it would be that the sliding door to the garden is not top-hung, and that is such high level complaining I almost feel unreasonable.