Melbourne’s most expensive mansions revealed
A BILLIONAIRE is building what will be one of our most expensive homes. So how will his $50m palace compare against Melbourne’s most luxurious properties?
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BILLIONAIRE property tycoon John Gandel is building a lavish new Mornington Peninsula estate that will be one of our most expensive homes.
Estimated to have cost up to $50 million to build, industry insiders have revealed details of a residence unrivalled in sheer extravagance.
But what makes this property stand out from Melbourne’s most luxurious homes?
MUIR PROPERTY, TOORAK
When Good Guys whitegoods boss Andrew Muir came knocking on celebrity Steve Vizard’s Toorak mansion to offer him about $18 million for the place in 2007, it became what was believed to then be Melbourne’s highest house price.
Steve and Sarah Vizard bought the 100-square, two-storey English mansion-style home at Orrong Road, Toorak, about five years earlier for $5.4 million.
AVON COURT, HAWTHORN
It’s got two pools, seven kitchens and room for 10 cars.
The Hawthorn mansion’s private fitness centre is bigger than most public ones and the main bedroom is bigger than most one-bedroom flats.
The luxurious Avon Court, at 18-20 Shakespeare Grove, is considered one of Melbourne’s best properties.
When it changed hands last May, it reportedly netted its owners more than $20 million.
Set over four storeys, the home boasts a billiards room, marble fittings and an 18-seat Teppanyaki kitchen.
There are 9 bedrooms, more than a dozen bathrooms and a 400-plus bottle wine cellar.
Added to that is a flower room, gym, sauna, maid’s quarters and rooftop entertainment space.
A Melbourne businessman bought the mansion after seeing off strong competition from two international buyers.
Former Richmond president Clinton Casey paid $5.7 million for the property in 2003, before spending about $9 million on an extensive refurbishment. That’s a tidy profit.
GANDEL PROPERTY, MERRICKS
Clad in stone imported from Italy and set on top of a 10-car basement garage, sources say the estate will be a luxurious seaside playground for the very private Mr Gandel.
Mr Gandel is Australia’s sixth richest person and part-owner of the Chadstone shopping centre.
Solid oak floorboards flow throughout the home, which has three palatial living zones, three kitchens, four bathrooms and a helipad on the gym roof.
Remarkably there are just four bedrooms, including the servants quarters in the basement and a main bedroom encased entirely in steel.
All this is included in a sprawling 1860sq m floorplan — which is around 10 times the size of an average family home.
Outside a swimming pool is fitted with wave generators and enjoys breathtaking views of Western Port Bay.
The opulent house is the star of a majestic rural development at Merricks near Point Leo that will include a 150-seat restaurant, a winery, cellar, wine store, art gallery and a sculpture walk for the public to explore artworks by prominent Australian artists.
The art pieces have been acquired and commissioned by the Gandel family for their private collection over a number of years.
Construction of the house is almost finished on a massive parcel of land Mr Gandel compiled by combining several large blocks with uninterrupted, private views of the bay.
An army of tradesmen has worked tirelessly for more than two years to create the holiday home of unparalleled luxury in the sleepy, summer holiday destination.
But by far the most striking feature of Mr Gandel’s summer retreat is his bedroom. With a walk-in robe as big as a normal bedroom, the entire bedroom is fortified by steel.
An elaborate network of security cameras also monitors the house and grounds of the safety-conscious tycoon, estimated by Forbes to have a net worth of $3.6 billion.
Described as a “development of architectural and design excellence” in plans submitted to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, the property is dotted with vineyards and enjoys stunning water views.
The site has heritage and cultural significance. Mr Gandel has relocated and restored the historic farmer’s cottage “Kalimna” that was built on the site in the early 1900s. An earthwall outbuilding constructed about 1870 has also been restored.
Expected to be one of Australia’s most expensive homes, the property will rival Mr Gandel’s lavish Toorak mansion that industry experts have estimated is worth more than $70 million.
MIEGUNYAH, TOORAK
‘Miegunyah’ at 641 Orrong Rd, Toorak set a record price for a Melbourne property when it sold for about $23 million in 2009.
The six-bedroom home was sold by former Pacific Dunlop boss Phillip Brass and his wife, Vivien, who bought the mansion for around $2 million in 1992, giving them a tidy $20 million profit or growth of $1 million a year just for living at home.
Miegunyah, which also boasts a pool and grass tennis court, is hailed for its magnificent botanic gardens and is thought to be the second or third largest home in Toorak.
TOWERS RD, TOORAK
The mansion at 1 Towers Road, Toorak, set the record for Melbourne’s most expensive property after it sold in 2013 for $25 million.
Former JP Morgan Australia chairman Brian Watson and his wife Edwina sold the six-bedroom, seven-bathroom luxury home more than 18 months after first putting it on the market.
The 3900sq m block was bought by the Watsons for just over $11 million 12 years ago.
Businessman John Elliot is a previous owner of the house.
The house was originally predicted to sell for between $26 million and $30 million.
ORRONG RD, TOORAK
The lavish Toorak estate owned by prominent couple Norman and Tania Smorgon sold for a reported $20 million last December.
The 5500sq m property at 750 Orrong Rd, Toorak, was tipped to challenge Melbourne’s record $24 million sale price when was initially listed but it failed to sell after more than a year on the market.
The expansive grounds contain a swimming pool, tennis court and pavilion with a gym, cinema, bar and living areas.
MOULE AVE, BRIGHTON
12 Moule Ave, Brighton, sold last year for around $18 million.
The large bayside property boasts a dual-heated pool with spa and a tennis court overlooking a beach-access boathouse.
Its position near the marina provides a handy berth for yacht enthusiasts, but also a quieter stretch of sand from the popular beach down the road.
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