Property of the week: 10 Highgate Hill, Toorak

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.

Coolabah has earned its place in Sydney’s heritage for several reasons. The period Greenwich estate is not simply a prime example of Victorian era design; the property was also home to Lane Cove’s premier Lord Mayor, Jeremiah Roberts.

Dating back to 1883, the restored residence at 45 Greenwich Rd has only had a handful of owners, including vendor and interior designer Jo Ellis-Doty.

“Our family has lived here for 14 years,” says Ellis-Doty.

“It’s 142 years old and we’re only the fifth family to own it. We’ve loved every moment of restoring and living in this incredible home.”

Ellis-Doty and her husband are downsizing to an apartment, so Coolabah will be auctioned on May 31. It will be sold for a guide of $6.5 million via James Bennett of Belle Property Lane Cove.

Prior to its grand makeover, records show the property last exchanged in 2011 for $2.1 million.

The classic five-bedroom house has been masterfully enticed into the 21st Century by its owner, with meticulous attention to detail.

“Locals have told us how the sitting room was used to hold dances. They would open up the French doors to the porch and linger too late in the night,” Ellis-Doty adds.

“When we were renovating, we found a safe embedded in the primary bedroom wall, and a bag of jewellery was retrieved.

“It had been forgotten by the previous owners, and they were very happy to have it returned. We are so very honoured to have been the custodians of such a beautiful period property. We will miss it terribly.”

The original owner, Lord Mayor Roberts, made his name in publishing before entering politics. He came to office in 1895, marking the beginning of the area’s municipal independence from the borough of Willoughby.

“Homes like this don’t come around often. It’s a true Greenwich treasure,” Bennett says.

With a raft of period features, Coolabah has high ceilings and several ornate fireplaces, including an original made in the 1850s and later imported from England in the downstairs bathroom.

Now updated for modern family living, the heritage home on 663 sq m features two large living areas that spill out through French doors to terraces. In contrast, the state-contemporary provincial kitchen features a vast island bench and a walk-in pantry.

In addition to a ground-floor bedroom and palatial main bathroom, there are three more bedrooms on the upper level, including a primary suite with another grand bathroom and a private balcony showcasing city skyline views.

Outdoors, manicured hedges frame immaculate gardens and a travertine wraps around the backyard mosaic saltwater pool.

Although it was created in the 19th century, Coolabah has a host of modern day amenities from ducted air-conditioning and solar panels, to CCTV security and a gated carport. There is also a separate lock up garage.

Sitting on the corner of Greenwich and the aptly named Coolabah Ave, the stately home is close to village shops and cafes, as well as Wollstonecraft Station and a number of sought-after schools.

Coolabah at 45 Greenwich Rd, Greenwich, is being marketed by Belle Property Lane Cove Principal James Bennett with a $6.5 million price guide and will go to auction on May 31.

Property of the week: 10 Highgate Hill, Toorak

A new Toorak residence, 10 Highgate Hill tells a story of art meeting science.

A rare slice of Sydney history, Coolabah blends Victorian grandeur with modern luxury in the heart of Greenwich; once home to Lane Cove’s first Lord Mayor and now listed with a $6.5m guide.