Mack Horton leads first week of Melbourne summer auctions
A swimming great heads to auction as Melbourne kicks off summer with a surge in listings and buyer activity.
Summer has barely begun but Melbourne’s auction scene is already making waves, with Olympic champion Mack Horton among the high-profile sellers going under the hammer this weekend.
Horton and wife Ella will auction their South Melbourne apartment at 12.30pm, with $900,000-990,000 price hopes.
The two-bedroom home at 192A Bank St sits inside a circa-1880s building and features vaulted ceilings, polished hardwood floors, exposed parapets and two terraces overlooking Clarendon St.
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Jellis Craig Port Phillip director Warwick Gardiner told The Herald Sun, the property had attracted younger buyers and downsizers.
“It has great light, outdoor space and a walk-in wardrobe the owners added by converting a smaller bedroom,” Mr Gardiner said.
The apartment is close to South Melbourne Market, Albert Park Lake and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Horton retired in 2024 after a decorated career including gold in the 400m freestyle at the Rio Olympics, four Commonwealth Games titles and a World Championships gold.
Melbourne enters the weekend with 1515 auctions scheduled, a 13 per cent rise on the same period last year.
Another 1481 auctions are booked for next week, a 16 per cent lift that rounds out one of the busiest spring selling seasons in recent years.
PropTrack senior economist Angus Moore said the increase reflected strong listing activity and steady buyer demand.
“Prices are about 5 per cent higher than a year ago and have risen every single month this year,” Mr Moore said.
“It has been one of the most stable growth periods Melbourne has had for some time.”
Mr Moore said the impact of new rules requiring sellers to disclose their auction reserve price remained unclear.
“Interest rates and broader price trends next year will matter more than any single change,” he said.
In South Yarra, filmmakers Nadia Tass and David Parker will also take their long-time home at 14 Lang St to auction today, with $3m-$3.3m price expectations.
The former ice-cream cone factory joined to a Victorian cottage served as the creative base for the pair while working on films including Malcolm and The Big Steal.
They raised their sons at the property, which also includes an indoor pool and 441sq m block.
Marshall White’s Richard Mackinnon said interest had come from families planning a major renovation or rebuild and from buyers considering a multi-dwelling project.
Reservoir leads the auction activity this weekend with 27 scheduled, followed by Mount Waverleym with 25 auctions, Glen Waverley and Richmond, with 22, and Craigieburn with 20.
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Originally published as Mack Horton leads first week of Melbourne summer auctions
