Julie Stone: producer sells St Kilda pad tied to INXS, Crowded House

A filmmaker who has worked with some of Australia’s biggest bands, including INXS and Crowded House, has tuned in to a rock’n’roll result as her St Kilda home proved a new sensation.

Jayitri Smiles

2 min read

December 17, 2019 - 7:00AM

A St Kilda home with ties to bands INXS and Crowded House played out a massive result with three buyers keen on the private universe.

The three-bedroom Victorian-era property at 74 Chaucer St, owned by retired filmmaker Julie Stone, sold for $3.216 million under the hammer — a figure sure to mystify those expecting a figure closer to its $2.3-$2.5 million price guide.

Marshall White Port Phillip agent Kaine Lanyon said it was a “ripper auction”.

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74 Chaucer St, St Kilda, was sold by filmmaker Julie Stone.

The three-bedroom house sold for $3.216 million.

“It was extremely competitive because it was just a very special address that young families were keen to enjoy and bring up their children in,” Mr Lanyon said.

“The result exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

It was the first time in 24 years the house had sold, after being used by some of Australia’s biggest bands to film music videos with Ms Stone.

INXS worked with Ms Stone on their music videos.

The property was bought by a young family.

The producer said she had worked with INXS, which included filming their hit Need You Tonight.

“We used the whole St Kilda area for locations, which included coming back to my property,” Ms Stone said.

“We would often film an element of the video there, which we would cut into a clip or use as an animation. I’d like to think this house has become grounded in the history of St Kilda’s music scene.”

The big block has pretty gardens.

Original fireplaces have been retained.

The producer also worked with renowned director Richard Lowenstein, who is best known for his movie Dogs in Space and INXS documentary Mystify that was released this year.

They also worked with Aussie band Big Pig and were nominated for the Best Video ARIA award for the song Hungry Town in 1987.

Ms Stone’s property was around the corner from the offices of Halo Films, a company the duo ran together.

Mr Lanyon said the property was bought by a family who planned to extend the existing house into the large backyard.

Director Richard Lowenstein often worked with Julie Stone. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The buyers plan to extend into the backyard.

“The buyers are from South Yarra,” Mr Lanyon said.

“They will renovate the home, but keep its beautiful Victorian rooms in the principle residence, and also keep the facade.”

The 1888-built house still has elegant period features including a stained glass skylight and multiple open fireplaces.

It sold for the first time in nearly 25 years.

CoreLogic shows the property previously changed hands for $410,000 in 1995.

At $3.126 million, it’s latest price made it one of Melbourne’s most expensive homes sold under the hammer on December 14.

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Originally published as Julie Stone: producer sells St Kilda pad tied to INXS, Crowded House