25 Sydney Street Albion, VIC 3020

Once upon a time, in a hidden corner of the inner west where shadows dance and palm fronds whisper secrets, there stood a house that dared to be deliciously different.

Built in 1923, this iconic residence has been possessed by the vision of Joncol - transformed through an obsessive labour of love, a project crafted for himself where builder became creator, craftsman became artist. The result would make Alexander McQueen weep with envy. Here, in Albion's hushed embrace, Art Nouveau melancholy meets meticulous craftsmanship.

From the street, a deceptively charming weatherboard facade conceals the wonderfully twisted tale within. Step through the threshold and tumble into a world where darkness and light perform an eternal waltz, where every corner harbours curiosities.

The heritage bones remain honoured with reverence. Soaring ceilings cast dramatic shadows, whilst original wallpaper preserved in the library and master bedroom whispers of bygone eras. Baltic pine floorboards, stained in lustrous black Japan finish, stretch like pooling ink through hallways. Feature fireplaces stand sentinel, their brick hearts still beating. Heritage windows refurbished with gleaming brass hardware catch light like old coins, whilst the extension introduces double-glazed windows - a marriage of past and present. This ground-up resurrection was executed with surgical precision: substantial 32mm skirting and decorative cornices, insulated walls, Philips Hue smart lighting shifting moods like theatre gels, CCTV eyes watching, ducted heating, evaporative cooling, and solar panels completing the picture.

Offering up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms, the floorplan unfolds like chapters in a peculiar novel. Multiple living zones include formal lounges, a library/study, and expansive open-plan living. The master ensuite embraces theatrical darkness with black cabinetry and sculptural swan-neck tapware, whilst upstairs, a sanctuary floats beneath twin skylights.

The kitchen commands attention. Draped entirely in deep emerald cabinetry - the colour of forests at midnight - it features a magnificent 110cm Falcon Classic Deluxe in Stone Black and quartzite natural stone benchtops. But here's the magic: motorised cabinetry rises from the island bench like a mechanical phantom, revealing a fully appointed bar concealed within-pure sorcery.

Somewhere within lies an even darker secret. Pull the correct book from an unassuming shelf and watch as the bookcase swings inward, revealing a hidden chamber possessed by the spray-paint artistry of renowned local artist Heesco. This clandestine cigar and wine sanctuary features full extraction that whisks away smoke like departing spirits.

Beyond lies 836sqm of peculiar paradise. The west-facing backyard bathes in golden afternoon sun. A heated pool with brand-new heat pump, outdoor cinema, and barrel sauna create an entertainer's dream. For makers: a monumental 7 x 12-metre workshop with 4.5-metre ridge height, accessible via motorised gates and rear-of-way.

The setting? Albion - the inner west's most exquisite secret. Twenty metres from Elephant Cafe, a brief walk to Albion Station, surrounded by Perth Avenue's cosmopolitan delights. Selwyn Park offers green escape, whilst freeway access delivers swift city passage.

This is not merely shelter. This is theatre. This is art.

Step through the looking glass. Your peculiar paradise awaits in Albionland.