Daniel and Anabela Coelho list Melbourne home after 20 years
After 20 years in their Melbourne home, bakery business couple Daniel and Anabela Coelho have decided to sell the mansion on which they have spared no expense.
It’s official: the Coelhos are chasing the sun.
It has been a long time coming for Daniel and Anabela, who sold their wholesale bakery last year and are now readying for life as retirees.
The high school sweethearts moved to Australia from Portugal after a military coup in the 1980s changed their tertiary study plans. It was a change of scenery only meant to be a few years at most, but after settling in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, it ended up lasting 43 years.
Now their two children have fled the nest – one moving closer to the city and the other to the Gold Coast – and they have reassessed their plans, deciding they will chase the summer months and split their time between Portugal and Melbourne.
“We don’t mind winter and cold, but prefer warmer weather,” Mr Coelho said.
So, they are listing their home with the hope of having their first stint overseas this winter.
The property at 31-33 Wesley Court, Keysborough is on the market with Ray White Cheltenham’s Mat Suckling and Ray White Oakleigh’s Leigh Kelepouris and Eddy He. Offers are due by May 19.
Dubbed “The Keys”, the Coelhos built the European resort-styled property 20 years ago as their forever home and they spared no expense.
The front door opens to a grand entry of dual staircases, wrapped in a wrought iron balustrade and surrounded by the finest imported European marble.
Mrs Coelho wanted to create a grand master suite that was large enough to have space to make a morning coffee before stepping out on to the private balcony to enjoy the sunshine. The room also has an area for a small sitting room to retreat from the rest of the family with a good book, and, of course, there is a large walk-in wardrobe for her collection of shoes and handbags.
Much of the artwork hanging on the walls was painted by Mr Coelho.
While they look forward to their travels, saying goodbye to the home will be bittersweet. The family loved to entertain and have many memories entertaining around the solar-heated in-ground pool, which is surrounded by Italian Grigio paving and columns.
A cabana with a bathroom has been built poolside and the party can kick on all night in the adjoining bar and games room, with dinner easily cooked up in the custom-built clay pizza oven.
Their annual Christmas party with friends from their golfing community at the Keysborough Golf Club was always a roaring affair and one they will miss dearly. The local golf course is in view of the property.
In some ways, the couple has drawn inspiration from Mrs Coelho’s mother, who at one point had a similar travel arrangement of her own – staying with her daughter and son-in-law in the home’s downstairs guest suite with ensuite access, which constitutes the fifth bedroom. She now lives full-time in Barcelos, northern Portugal, and the Coelhos visited last year for the 90-year-old’s milestone birthday celebration.
They recently bought a home in the town for when they visit and have an apartment under construction closer to Melbourne’s CBD which will become their new home base when in Australia.
While grand in size, the home is relatively low maintenance, with only a small portion of lawn at the front. The property also has integrated security and solar systems.
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