From laundrette, to landmark home.

Known to locals as the Puddle Duck Laundrette, its retro machines spun from dawn to dusk. It was part of Elizabeth Bay’s charm – a modest landmark on a quiet street with stories soaked into its walls.

When the property first came on the market, Emma and Adam Marshall initially stepped inside not as homebuyers, but as neighbours intrigued by a quirky space with potential.

“We were living just around the corner and had always admired this unique building – it didn’t have a kitchen and hadn’t been lived in for years,” recalls Emma. “So when it lingered unsold, we looked at it again and began to imagine what might be possible. The opportunity to breathe new life into such an iconic building, in a suburb we already loved, sold us.”

That new life came with a twist. With the keys, the Marshalls also inherited the laundrette itself – staff, retro commercial machines and all. Overnight, they were running a business they’d never planned for, one that may not have been profitable but was loved by locals. When its doors finally closed for the Marshalls’ renovations, many residents – themselves included – felt genuine sadness at its farewell.

“We were always mindful of the building’s history and place on the street, alongside such a beautiful row of terraces. It was important that the building’s heritage – and that of our neighbours – was respected,” explains Adam. “At the same time, we wanted to add something modern and playful. Working with the architect, we explored some pretty out-there ideas before landing on a design that felt timeless and balanced.”

Much of the transformation lay beneath the surface, unseen but essential. Decades of commercial use had left behind hidden challenges, requiring reinforcement before any beauty could emerge. 

“Once we started peeling back the layers, we uncovered the extent of the work in front of us,” recalls Emma. “So much of the time and money went into underpinning and structural repair – the type of work visitors would never see, but that gave the building its strength for another hundred years.”

Today, the home reveals itself gradually, each level offering a different rhythm of life. At its crown sits a rooftop garden – a green surprise built bag by bag of soil carried skyward.

“Over the years, the rooftop garden has flourished and it has never looked better – the citrus are fruiting, the mulberry is budding and the vegepod is on the cusp of its annual spring flush,” Emma shares. “All of this we created from scratch, lugging hundreds of bags of soil, plants and pots up four flights of stairs. And now it is a mini sanctuary in the heart of Elizabeth Bay.”

Beyond its walls, the suburb itself adds another layer to the story. Elizabeth Bay is a postcode of contrasts – harbour access and foreshore parks on one side, and Potts Point’s cafe and dining scene buzzing on the other. Its community flourishes in the small rituals – lingering at Beare Park, exchanging hellos at delis, or stepping into the cultural energy a block away. 

“Aside from the architecture and character of the suburb, it’s the people. Elizabeth Bay is unlike any other suburb in Sydney – a true melting pot of ages, backgrounds and professions. There’s a vibrancy and eclectic spirit here that is always energising.”

View the listing: 11 Roslyn Gardens, Elizabeth Bay