Extravagant mansion worth $20m abruptly demolished in Toorak

UPDATE: WHY would someone spend $20 million on a Toorak mansion, only to tear it down two years later?

House Being Demolished

A HISTORIC Toorak mansion worth about $20 million is being torn down, despite the local council’s efforts to obtain heritage protection for it.

Locals say the demolition of the grand house at 16 St Georges Rd — one of Melbourne’s most exclusive streets — is “sacrilege”.

Some residents fear the 1913 home and its manicured gardens will be replaced by units or apartments.

Demolition started on the property this morning, with the front portion of the home torn open by an excavator.

The property was last sold to wealthy Chinese businessman Wang Hua and his then-wife Xiao “Kylie” Yan Bao in September 2013 for $18.5 million, with prestige real estate firm Kay & Burton as the selling agency.

Fairfax Media reported at the time the buyer had flown into Melbourne on his private jet to purchase the property, named Idylwilde, which also boasts a tennis court and pool on 0.4ha of land.

This $20 million mansion in Toorak as it used to look.

The home pictured when listed for sale.

Mr Wang, founder of Chinese conglomerate Jeshing Group, applied to the City of Stonnington for a permit to knock down the mansion in December 2013.

The council initially refused to grant consent for the proposed demolition and instead approached then-planning minister Matthew Guy to introduce permanent heritage protection for the home and 18 neighbouring properties, all within the Toorak House Precinct.

The homes were each built between 1850 and 1961.

Heritage consultant Nigel Lewis investigated the precinct for the council at the time, determining the area was of “regional and state historic and architectural significance”.

But the council’s request was refused in May 2014 based on advice from Heritage Victoria that “the building was not of sufficient architectural significance to warrant ministerial intervention”, a Department of Environment Land Water and Planning spokesman said.

City of Stonnington mayor Melina Sehr said the council had been disappointed that Heritage Victoria and the then-planning minister Mr Guy would not protect the property.

“Council works hard to ensure that the heritage of Stonnington is protected,” she said.

Toorak Village Residents Action Group president Eddie Young said locals had also been angered by the decision.

A bulldozer demolishes part of the house. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It’s sacrilege. You can’t imagine why people want to spoil something so good,” Mr Young said.

“We had protested, of course, about not only this house but others that we felt were part of the streetscape of Toorak.

“From a lawful point of view, ... it’s (the owner’s) place to do with it as they wish. But it’s not what 99.9 per cent of residents had wished for.”

Mr Young, a resident of nearby Orrong Rd, said residents feared what type of building would go up in the mansion’s place.

“We’re worried about all the properties as they come on sale — they are large block areas, so they can be used for multi-residence developments.”

Mr Young said residents had suspected the home would be demolished, as it had been vacant for some time and the property’s “magnificent” gardens had not been cared for.

Passer-by John told 3AW this morning that he was strolling past the house when he saw it being pulled down.

“It’s not every day you see a property worth $20 million getting a bulldozer taken to it,” he said.

John said the house had not been “cared for like St Georges Rd is usually cared for”.

“It was one of the original beautiful homes along the street,” he said.

“One of the stately homes.”

Mr Wang and Ms Bao bought 16 St Georges Rd from the director of building company LU Simon, Peter Devitt, and his wife Jo. The couple had purchased the property for $4.4 million in 1997.

Ms Bao also owns the exclusive Heritage Golf and Country Club in Chirnside Park, which she took control of late last year in a separation agreement with Mr Wang.

Members have reportedly been upset with the state of the club since the change over, due to a spate of sackings and a decline in service, cleanliness and management standards.

The St Georges Rd home was described as “a rare and beautiful piece of Australian real estate” when it was last on the market.

“Set on one sprawling acre, this historic villa represents art nouveau styling at its finest,” the house description read.

“Off the grand entrance hall are four enormous living areas — a sitting room, library, lounge and extravagant formal dining — all finished with intricate plasterwork and marble detailing.

“Behind the Gaggenau kitchen is the conservatory and four elegant bedrooms.”

The City of Stonnington has been contacted for comment.

Twitter: @SamLandy