ABC journalist Alan Kohler’s Hawthorn mansion back on market just one month after sale

The former home of renowned journalist Alan Kohler is back on the market — just a month after changing hands. What’s behind the unexpected resale?

David Bonaddio

@daveobigbro

2 min read

February 13, 2025 - 3:00PM

A prestigious Edwardian mansion previously owned by respected financial journalist Alan Kohler is back on the market just one month after selling.

A Hawthorn house owned by ABC television personality and member of the Order of Australia Alan Kohler until last year has hit the market again less than a month after it settled.

Records show Kohler and his Miles Franklin-short-listed author wife Deborah Forster sold the home in a quiet move with an undisclosed price back in May last year.

The pair had lived there for just over 21 years, having bought 3 Linda Cres for just $1.725m.

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Kohler was previously editor of The Australian Financial Review and The Age’s business section.

Forster, an acclaimed novelist, was short-listed for the Miles Franklin Literary Award for The Book of Emmett.

Their former 1912-build Edwardian residence on over 1000sq m features a designer extension by award-winning architect Geraldine Maher.

A pressed metal ceiling, leadlight windows, and rich timber floors preserve the home’s historical charm, while there is also hidden wine cellar tucked behind a movable wall.

The Carrara marble kitchen, fitted with a Wolf oven, two dishwashers, and a walk-in pantry, connects to a bluestone terrace via bi-fold windows.

“Elegant period charm meets modern luxury” in this grand living space.

This designer Carrara marble kitchen.

The gas/solar-heated pool and landscaped gardens, anchored by a 100-year-old English Elm tree, provide a private sanctuary.

Jellis Craig Boroondara prestige listing agent Michael Beardsley said the $8.1m-$8.5m price guide reflects the home’s premium location in the Grace Park Estate, where heritage properties are tightly held.

“Grace Park Estate homes are highly sought after, and with a home of this calibre — designed by one of Australia’s top architects — it was always going to generate strong interest,” Mr Beardsley said.

Heritage leadlight windows flood the home with natural light.

Built around 1912, this restored Edwardian mansion showcases timeless architecture, set in one of Hawthorn’s most tightly held heritage areas.

The ground-floor main suite includes his-and-hers robes and an ensuite with freestanding bath, while upstairs there is a children’s retreat, home office, and two additional bedrooms.

This private home gym and studio space offers a wellness retreat complete with a bathroom.

The home’s bedrooms include a luxurious ground-floor main suite with a freestanding bath and his-and-hers robes.

Mr Beardsley said the manicured gardens were designed to withstand Melbourne’s seasons, requiring minimal upkeep and offering extreme privacy to the vendor.