Property of the week: 10 Highgate Hill, Toorak
A new Toorak residence, 10 Highgate Hill tells a story of art meeting science.
2 min
Highgate Hill in Melbourne’s illustrious Toorak snuck onto Australia’s most expensive street list last year, coming in 19th position according to Suburbtrends data. Although the real estate research group said the median sale price was $5.102 million, trophy homes on the exclusive cul de sac can command far more.
Number 10 is a sleek new designer residence, the brainchild of architects David Watson and Christopher Doyle with gardens by prized landscaper Jack Merlo. Listed with a guide of $20 million to $22 million, the bespoke five-bedroom family home is an innovative benchmark for modern luxury in Melbourne, showcasing a vast floor plan and sophisticated finishes topped off with enviable city views.
On describing the designer dwelling, Doyle said it is a “symphony of light”.
“Highate Hill is an excellent showcase for our passion and dedication to luxury. Every element has been tuned to create the masterpiece you see before you,” he says.
“It’s a very sharp, elegant type of modernism, it’s not a hard edge sort of modernism. The site is blessed because of its geography, it’s high on the hill and has this lovely vista towards the city which is really unusual in Melbourne. And in Toorak, when you have that opportunity, you take every advantage of it.”
Overflowing with space over three levels, the artfully designed home has a choice of entertaining areas and private retreats suitable for all the family and plenty of guests all year round.
The ground floor is the central gathering space with a formal combined living and dining room spilling out to a peaceful courtyard, a separate den with a fireplace and a casual open plan zone adjoining the dream kitchen.
This culinary heart of the home has a grand Galassia marble island bench, sleek black American oak cabinetry, a suite of Gaggenau appliances, and a full butler’s pantry housing Miele appliances for hidden meal preparation. All this flows seamlessly out to a palatial terrace complete with a barbecue area and an Italian Artusi grill. For outdoor entertaining beyond the terrace, there is an infinity pool, a spa and a private courtyard.
“Architecture is the intersection between art and science. We love creating a house that is both gallery large, yet individual and intimate. The best buildings tell a story. They evoke emotions and create a strong sense of home. Highgate Hill is a testimony to this idea,” Doyle adds.
Up on the first floor, all five bedrooms have walk-in wardrobes and ensuites, but the primary suite goes above and beyond. This spacious main has a full dressing room with a bench seat and a deluxe five-star ensuite featuring a freestanding bathtub and twin vanities.
The Highgate Hill home hits every mark on an avid entertainer’s wish list with a host of added extras, including a second-floor private lounge and bar with a top-floor terrace capturing the city skyline, plus a lower ground floor home cinema with custom-made furniture, a ultra HD 4K projector, the latest Dolby Atmos sound and a kitchenette.
Additional features include a home office, a lift to all levels, a wine cellar, gym, marble and oak herringbone floors in the living spaces, or carpet in the bedrooms.
Other high-tech extras include a Savant whole-house automation system, Dynalight intelligent lighting, CCTV, zoned heating and cooling, electric sheer curtains and solar power.
Located near Toorak’s shops and eateries, Chapel Street boutiques, sought-after schools, Como Park and the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Clubs.
The Toorak residence is listed through Kay & Burton Stonnington with Oliver Booth and Ross Savas with an expressions of interest campaign.
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Australia’s castles are rare, but this one is real. Built in 1849 and held by the same family for 50 years, Overnewton Castle in Melbourne is now seeking its next custodian.
3 min
Australia’s castles are few and far between, and the opportunity to buy one rarely pops up. There is, however, now a bona fide 35-room chateau for sale in suburban Melbourne.
Listed for the first time in half a century, Overnewton Castle in Keilor, north west of the city, has launched to market through Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a $6 million to $6.6 million price guide.
The 176-year-old Scottish Baronial-style property has been home to the Norton family for the past 50 years, but was originally built for Scottish settler, grazier and former Mayor of Keilor, William James Taylor.
On a sprawling 2.25ha estate surrounded by rolling grounds filled with sculpted gardens and 170-year-old elm trees, the ivy-clad seven-bedroom three-bathroom residence is layered with a blend of Scottish, French and English influences.
Inside the heritage-listed mansion, there is a grand ballroom seating up to 150 guests, a lavish dining room, and a private chapel that was converted from the original billiards room.
Gastroenterologist Dr LJ Norton and his family have invested five decades in Overnewton Castle, partly preserving its period features while also updating the house for the 21st Century. After a devastating fire in 1979, the Nortons upgraded the infrastructure, installed mains water and access roads, and created a 100-vehicle car park.
Many of the 1849 estate’s original features, including drystone walls, period fireplaces and the dramatic western turret – accessed via a 40-step spiral staircase with a mahogany handrail – have been meticulously maintained. Even the turret’s slate “fish scale” roof tiling and ornate wind vane are straight out of the 19th century.
“Overnewton Castle is not just a property; it is our home and a piece of local history that we have cherished for 50 years,” says Norton family member and managing director of Overnewton Castle, Emma Stott.
“Living here, respectfully updating the facilities and operating our business has been a labour of love. As a family, we have created so many fond memories here, as well as played an important role in countless weddings and other events hosted on our grounds.”
In addition to hosting weddings at Overnewton Castle, the Norton and Stott families also run historical tours and high teas on the property.
Cussell says the unique listing represents an opportunity of historical significance. “Overnewton Castle is one of the finest examples of Scottish Baronial architecture in the Southern Hemisphere and an ideal setting for a private residence, luxury retreat, education facility or event venue,” he explains.
“It represents a rare convergence of architectural grandeur, cultural heritage and enduring family legacy. The listing truly is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of Australian history.”
Overnewton’s cultural footprint reaches beyond local tourism, with the castle making its mark in Australian cinema. It played a role as the fictional Monclare mansion in the 1982 cult horror film Next of Kin.
Earlier this year, the period Victoria Racing Club nominated property to display the Melbourne Cup during its prestigious Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, and in 2024, the site was also a finalist in the Victorian Tourism Awards.
Beyond the grand residence, there are several restored outbuildings suitable for entertaining or accommodation, including The Stables for up ten guests, The Loft which sleeps eight, The Cottage that accommodates six, and The Cabin with space for four people.
The stately address is soon to become even better connected with the forthcoming Suburban Rail Loop and Sunshine Superhub infrastructure projects, improving access to the city. Overnewton is about 20kms from Melbourne’s CBD and 8kms from Melbourne Airport.
Overnewton Castle is listed with Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a price guide of $6 million to $6.6 million. The expressions of interest campaign closes on November 21 at 3 pm.
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