First published 20 Aug 2026, 10:38am
Tudor beams, an open fire and near-century-old character — it's no surprise buyers have been flocking to this cosy apartment in one of Canberra's most historic buildings.
Slap bang in the middle of the capital, nudged between Lake Burley Griffin and Capital Hill, sits Canberra's oldest apartment building.
Barton Court was designed by architect Kenneth Oliphant, widely regarded as the father of Canberra architecture. Picture: realestate.com.au
But Barton Court is no ordinary block of lookalike units. It's more like a grand country house — Tudor beams, tall chimneys, finely crafted brickwork and Georgian windows, set behind a wide grass lawn.
Built in 1934, Barton Court was designed by Kenneth Oliphant, one of Canberra's early architects, in a Tudor-English rural style — a deliberate contrast to the plainer architecture found elsewhere in the city at the time.
The Tudor-style complex was Canberra's first apartment building. Picture: realestate.com.au
Back then, Canberra's population was nudging 8,000, and Parliament House — what we now call Old Parliament House — was still new, having opened just seven years earlier in 1927.
It looked somewhat lonely, standing almost alone in bushland-turned-parkland, with Barton Court rising nearby like a grand beacon in an otherwise empty landscape — a world away from the monumental precinct we know today.
The original fireplace offers a glimpse into history. At the time, wood fireplaces were Canberra's only form of heating.
In fact, buildings now synonymous with the Parliamentary Triangle like the National Library and Lake Burley Griffin wouldn't arrive for another three decades, the National Gallery for another five.
And nearly 100 years on, buyers are swooning over the chance to own a slice of local history.
Original details include sash windows, polished hardwood floorboards, and original doors and handles. Picture: realestate.com.au
The ground-floor, two-bedroom home at 6/11 Bourke Street, Barton captures the character of its era: a generous living room with an original open fireplace and recessed bookshelves, soaring ceilings, and an abundance of natural light thanks to its corner position in Barton Court.
Fireplaces weren't just a period detail back then — they were essential. Wood fires were Canberra's only source of heating in the 1930s, so every apartment in the complex was built with its own. Today, that original fireplace sits alongside more modern comforts, with hydronic heating keeping things cosy through winter.
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment sits within the Parliamentary Triangle. Picture: realestate.com.au
The kitchen and bathroom have been tastefully updated, but the bones of the apartment remain untouched: polished hardwood floorboards, sash windows, picture rails, and original doors and handles.
Outside, established gardens feature mature Manchurian pears, crab apples and oak trees.
Agent Steve Whitelock of Belle Property Canberra says Barton Court remains a standout piece of the Inner South's architectural heritage, which was exciting buyers.
"We had lots of buyers through in the first weekend," he said. "There's interest not just from people looking to buy within the Parliamentary Triangle for the convenience of the location, but from those who genuinely appreciate that 1930s architecture."
Views of the established gardens, which feature mature Manchurian pears, crab apples and oak trees. Picture: realestate.com.au
According to Mr Whitelock, the building "has stood the test of time".
"It still retains its beautiful charm and character from the '30s, and this property has been well maintained. The kitchen and bathroom have had a little updating for modern living but there's still room for someone to put their own personality into it."
The apartment is on the market for around $900,000, slightly above the Australian Capital Territory's median home price of $854,000, according to realestate.com.au's Home Price Index .
The complex sits just moments from Manuka and Kingston's renowned cafés, restaurants and shops. Picture: realestate.com.au
The neighbourhood may look nothing like it did a century ago, but its appeal hasn't faded.
Manuka and Kingston's beloved cafés, restaurants and boutiques are just a short stroll away, while Parliament House and Canberra's other major landmarks remain within easy reach.
Help us improve your reading experience
Got a minute? Your feedback will help us build a better experience for you.
