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Inside Melbourne’s first $100 million house that’s set to smash records

By Elizabeth Redman

Potential property buyers with the deepest pockets can now get their first look inside what will likely be Melbourne’s first $100 million mansion.

The Myer family’s historic Cranlana in Toorak hit listings websites on Wednesday afternoon with a price guide of $96 million to $105 million.

A sale at that level would reset Melbourne’s house price record, which stands at $80 million, set by cryptocurrency casino entrepreneur Ed Craven for a St Georges Road knockdown.

But Cranlana on Clendon Road is in rarefied air. On an oversized block of more than 11,000 square metres, the grand residence is known for its garden setting and offers opportunities to entertain at scale.

The property is bordered by a stone wall and Italianate wrought iron gates, and features a circular drive.

The sunken formal garden — the finest in the state, according to Heritage Victoria — was designed by Harold Desbrowe Annear and includes a pond and fountain. The gardens include century-old trees and plants.

Cranlana’s gardens are a standout.

Cranlana’s gardens are a standout.Credit: Marshall White

It comes with a tennis court and swimming pool, plus a self-contained cottage, gardener’s headquarters and triple garage.

The home has a tennis court and swimming pool.

The home has a tennis court and swimming pool. Credit: Marshall White

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It features a marble foyer, reception room, morning room, drawing room, library and formal dining room plus a ballroom with French doors that lead to the garden.

The home is on the market for the first time in a century.

The home is on the market for the first time in a century.Credit: Marshall White

Keen entertainers will be well equipped with sculleries, preparation rooms and kitchens featuring multiple ovens.

The ballroom offers space to entertain.

The ballroom offers space to entertain.Credit: Marshall White

The eight bedrooms include a main bedroom, guest bedroom, self-contained one-bedroom apartment and one-bedroom housekeeper’s apartment.

Well-heeled buyers have their first glimpse inside.

Well-heeled buyers have their first glimpse inside.Credit: Marshall White

The home is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register due to its association with the Myer family and its outstanding landscape design.

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Any buyer would be likely to consider a renovation to the home, which is changing hands for the first time in a century. Businessman and philanthropist Sidney Myer bought it in 1921 and lived there until his death in 1934. His widow, Dame Merlyn, lived there until she died in 1982.

Marshall White selling agent Marcus Chiminello was not immediately available for comment. Transaction advisers are Charter Keck Cramer’s Scott Keck, Tom Byrnes and Patrick McNulty.

Middle Park suburb record smashed with $13 million deal

The Middle Park house price record has been smashed by the sale of childcare entrepreneur Simon Kelly’s stylish home for just north of $13 million.

The five-bedroom home on sought-after Beaconsfield Parade had been listed with a price guide of $12.5 million to $13.5 million.

Kelly paid $8.6 million for the residence in 2019, public records show.

Two sources with knowledge of the transaction but not authorised to speak publicly put the price at just above $13 million. The buyer is said to be an out-of-area family.

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The luxurious home set on 610 square metres offers front-row bay views, five bedrooms, an al fresco setting and heated swimming pool.

Jellis Craig Port Phillip selling agent Simon Gowling and Michael Paproth of the eponymous real estate agency both confirmed the sale but declined to comment on the price or buyer.

The previous Middle Park record was $12.3 million on the same street, sold by Computershare co-founder Chris Morris.

Gowling said Melbourne’s market was solid but price-sensitive. “Renovated homes are selling really well. Unrenovated [homes are] a bit more challenging,” he said.

Paproth added: “It is a good sign for what we believe is a strengthening market into 2025.”

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5kgze