The Melbourne mansions at the very top end of the market
A TOORAK mansion this week became the latest home to join Melbourne’s exclusive $20 million club. So we’ve found five sales that provide a glimpse into the very top end of the market.
VIC
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE record sale of a Toorak trophy home this week has provided a glimpse into the very top end of the Melbourne market.
The city doesn’t see $20 million house sales too often. When it does, they’re typically shrouded in secrecy.
RELATED: Toorak mansion becomes Melbourne’s most expensive home
We’ve found five recent mega sales that have secured the lofty price tag, for your daydreaming pleasure.
4 Robertson St, Toorak: more than $24 million
THIS French Provincial-style stunner broke the Melbourne price record when it sold this week, after just 22 days on the market.
Selling agency Marshall White is keeping mum on how much the colossal 18-room house earned.
But it’s been confirmed that 4 Robertson St has beaten metropolitan Melbourne’s benchmark, which was set at $24 million by 39 St Georges Rd in 2010.
Tony and Jennifer Smorgon, of the prominent business family, sold the house they finished building in 2012 to a local buyer, who fended off two other interested parties to win the keys.
The mansion boasts seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, three kitchens, a dining room that seats 20 people, a den for business meetings, a separate office and formal sitting rooms, as well as manicured gardens featuring a lap pool and spa.
Its custom-designed furniture was sold with the home.
5 Yar Orrong Rd, Toorak: $20 million
THE sale of this trophy home last November was top secret.
CoreLogic RP Data records have since revealed the four-bedroom house on 1858sq m of land at 5 Yar Orrong Rd fetched $20 million in an off-market deal.
The buyer was former tobacco executive Bill Webb and wife Marijke, who it’s understood were downsizing from Sydney after offloading their $40 million Point Piper mansion in May last year.
The home was never publicly advertised for sale, so details about it are scarce.
It’s nestled among fellow multi-million dollar houses on the short, windy Yar Orrong Rd, known as “triple-A Toorak”.
Houses on the street are typically tightly held.
According to CoreLogic, No. 5 last changed hands in August 2004 for $9.3 million and before that, in July 1978 for just $225,000.
39 Seacombe Grove, Brighton: $22 million
THIS waterfront mansion broke blue-ribbon Brighton’s price record when it sold in May last year.
It was snapped up by Beverley Barlow — who owns Australia’s 7-Eleven business with her billionaire brother Russell Withers — for $22 million via private sale.
The palatial three-storey residence at 39 Seacombe Grove on Brighton’s illustrious golden mile once belonged to former St Kilda president Rod Butterss.
The Kay & Burton listing from last year states that the European-inspired home boasts 18 rooms, including five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, “an array of living rooms”, a library and “bespoke kitchen”.
Australia 108 penthouse, 70 Southbank Blvd, Southbank: $25 million
THIS yet-to-be-built penthouse became the most expensive single apartment ever to sell in Australia last April.
A Chinese businessman seeking a Melbourne base forked out $25 million in an off-the-plan deal for the apartment, which will spread across the entire 100th floor of the Australia 108 tower.
The 319m-high skyscraper will be the southern hemisphere’s tallest building when it’s completed, scheduled to be in 2019.
The deep-pocketed owner will have access to a private entrance foyer on level 98 and their own glass elevator to ascend to level 100.
The home, sold by CBRE, will contain at least four bedrooms, each with huge walk-in robes and ensuites, with the buyer given the opportunity to customise their 750sq m floorplan.
39 St Georges Rd, Toorak: $24 million
IT’S been six years since property tycoon Harry Stamoulis splashed $24 million on this half-hectare property on arguably Melbourne’s most exclusive street.
But the property earns a mention in this list because it’s bound to be worth much, much more now.
Mr Stamoulis has spent a rumoured $40 million to demolish the former Bailieu family estate that once occupied 39 St Georges Rd and build a colossal palace in its place over three years.
The monolith, which has been likened to the Greek parliament and Palace of Versailles, was completed last year and looks to be a contender for Australia’s most expensive property.
The agent who handled its off-market sale in 2010, Rodney Morley now of Rodney Morley Persichetti, told the Herald Sun last June he believed the property would fetch more than $60 million if it came up for sale.
But Mr Morley said it was unlikely to change hands again for decades.
Nearby 14 St Georges Rd also breached the $20 million in September 2014, when it sold to businessman David Prior for $23.3 million.