An Illawarra musician with a past as an Elvis impersonator has placed a distinctive Cringila residence on the market, a property lauded as a charming Art Deco hidden gem.
A Unique Home in Cringila
The three-bedroom home at 124 Lake Avenue, Cringila, is now for sale with a price guide of $920,000. Seller Thomas David, who purchased the property in 2004, undertook extensive renovations to transform it into a one-of-a-kind dwelling.
“We did a lot of work; the artwork on the cornices, the roses on the ceiling,” Mr David said. “We hand-painted all the old cornices, it looks like Anita’s Theatre.”
Adding to its distinct presence, the home is watched over by gargoyles. “We added the gargoyles… They keep the evil away,” Mr David laughed. “I just like the look of them. It’s not like any other home in Cringila. We just like that style; it just happened.”
Art Deco Features and Colourful Design
The character home boasts high ornate ceilings and hand-painted Art Deco features. One standout is the bedroom with French doors opening onto a covered deck. Other features include established fruit trees, a full-length driveway running deep into the site, and a U-turn bay already in place.
“We put a little colour into the house,” Mr David said. “Everything is so bland these days; everything is white and black, there’s no stimulation for the brain anymore. My wife and I being artists, we’re both musicians… We needed to add some colour.”
Mr David and his wife Vanessa, both regulars on the pub and club circuit, have also utilised the home as a workspace, recording music in the office. He is a former Elvis impersonator but moved on from that world due to market saturation.
“I still sing Elvis here and there,” he said. “But there’s nothing about ‘The King’ in the house.”
Moving to Queensland
The couple are selling the home to move to Queensland and be near family. “I want a bigger property with more space, so I can build a nice studio out the back that won’t disturb the neighbours when I’m rehearsing,” he said.
Cotality records show the median house value in Cringila is currently $823,080. Selling agent Louie Piculovski from The Agency Illawarra described the home as “charming, Art Deco and a hidden gem”.
“You wouldn’t expect to find it there… It’s not your typical home in Cringila,” he said.
