Inside the sprawling real estate portfolio assembled by slain Melbourne fruiterer John Latorre

Melbourne mafia-linked fruiterer John Latorre owned a string of properties across Melbourne’s northern suburbs and Shepparton, including a $1.7m “magnificently lavish” residence.

Melbourne mafia-linked fruiterer John Latorre owned a string of properties across Melbourne’s northern suburbs and Shepparton, including a $1.7m “magnificently lavish” residence which appears to have been his dream retirement home.

Real estate records show Mr Latorre – gunned down in a professional pre-dawn execution – owned at least six properties spanning residential, commercial and agricultural interests.

This included his family home in Buchanan Place in Greenvale, a four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence set on a large block estimated to be worth $1.6m.

Mr Latorre – regarded as a captain in the Calabrian mafia’s Melbourne arm – was shot dead in the home’s driveway about 4.30am on March 12 in a cold-blooded killing that may have involved a fly-in, fly-out hitman.

Mr Latorre’s most recent property purchase was this luxury residence in Greenvale. Picture: Supplied

The property was described as ‘magnificently lavish’. Picture: Supplied

The Greenvale residence’s home theatre. Picture: Supplied

Mr Latorre and his wife paid $1.7m for the former display home in April 2022. Picture: Supplied

The 64-year-old’s most recent bricks and mortar purchase was for a four-bedroom plus study, four-bathroom, double-storey homealso located in Greenvale.

Mr Latorre and his wife paid $1.7m for the former display home in April 2022.

The property was billed as “magnificently lavish” and “spectacular” with “opulent designer finishes” when it was sold in an online auction.

“This extravagant four-bedroom plus study, four-bathroom double-storey family home impeccably delivers grand proportions, sensational entertaining, plus opulent designer finishes,” the sales advertisement read.

“Beyond the lavish facade, wall-to-wall gloss tiles, luminous pendant lighting and bespoke floor-to-ceiling windows add to the luxurious feel.

“Combining multiple living domains, the versatile front lounge adjoins the library/home office, while a theatre room comprising projector and screen makes watching cinema-grade movies from home a total breeze.”

Mr Latorre was shot dead in the driveway of his family home in Buchanan Place, Greenvale. Picture: Supplied

Mr Latorre’s large Buchanan Place home. Picture: Supplied

Mr Latorre’s property portfolio also includes two large double-storey homes in Thomastown – a four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence and a similar five-bedroom brick home.

Both of these properties are valued at between $800,000 to $900,000.

Other real estate interests include a warehouse spanning 697sq m in Tullamarine and at least two farms in Shepparton in northeast Victoria.

Mr Latorre owned this property in Thomastown. Picture: Supplied

Another Thomastown home owned by Mr Latorre. Picture: Supplied

Mr Latorre’s real estate portfolio also included this warehouse in Tullamarine. Picture: Supplied

Mr Latorre ran a successful fruit and wholesale business from Melbourne Market in Epping.

He was killed as he walked to his car to make the daily commute to the market.

Detectives are focusing on a four-hour window leading up to his execution and are keen to speak to anyone who was travelling through Greenvale or Gladstone Park between 2am and 6am on Tuesday.

Mr Latorre was a good friend of “tomato tin” drug trafficker Frank Madafferi and regularly visited him in jail.

His brother, Vincent Latorre, was jailed in 2009 for 11 years for his role in blackmailing rival farm and produce owners in the Goulburn Valley region.

Originally published as Inside the sprawling real estate portfolio assembled by slain Melbourne fruiterer John Latorre