TOTNES, A BRIGHTON ICON SINCE 1890, RETURNS TO THE MARKET
Brighton icon Totnes hits the market with history, luxury and a $9.25m price tag.
2 min
There’s nothing middle of the road about Middle Crescent in Melbourne’s coveted bayside suburb of Brighton.
The celebrated semi-circular street is not only known for its Victorian-era architecture, but it has also been home to a long list of remarkable residents.
Number 32 was famously owned (not once, but twice) by the late, great test cricketer Shane Warne, while 43 Middle Crescent featured in the final season of The Bachelor Australia. Brighton’s “White House” at number 31 is also another architectural icon.
Right across the road, at number 36, Totnes has come to market with $9.25 million to $9.75 million price expectations through Kay & Burton Bayside agents Alex Schiavo, James Driver and Shantelle Francis.
The four-bedroom parkside residence last sold in December 2013 for $3.752 million.
Completed around 1890 for local dentist John Davy, the elegant period property is situated on a vast 1,169 sq m block surrounded by a mix of ultra-modern mansions and heritage dream homes.
For more than 130 years, Totnes’ storybook facade has remained largely unchanged, making it one of the neighbourhood’s most iconic homes.
Beyond its fairytale frontage, complete with wrought-iron fences and ornate lacework, Totnes features a traditional tessellated-tile veranda and manicured gardens.
Behind the commanding front door with stained glass detailing, an elaborate entry hall awaits, featuring stately archways, herringbone parquetry, and high patterned ceilings that set a great first impression for the rest of the house.
Centred on the spacious footprint, there is an illuminated open-plan family room with a conservatory-style glass ceiling and a kitchen featuring Miele appliances, a huge island bench, and a wine room. The icing on the architectural cake is the combined butler’s pantry and laundry with a secret wrought-iron spiral staircase leading up to the “tower” office and roof top terrace showcasing city and bay views.
Spoiled for choice, homeowners have two separate living rooms with fireplaces, as well as a louvred alfresco dining area and an integrated barbecue for poolside entertaining all year round.
In the palatial main bedroom suite, there is a long walk-in wardrobe and a deluxe ensuite, while two more bedrooms share another ensuite, and a third family-friendly bathroom has a tub.
Additional highlights at Totnes include intricate stained-glass and sash windows throughout, garden irrigation, a security system, and a two-car garage.
Facing Wilson Reserve from its corner block, Totnes is close to Brighton and Firbank Grammar Schools, Bay and Church St eateries, local shopping, swimming beaches, and the foreshore’s Yacht Club.
Totnes at 36 Middle Crescent, Brighton is listed with Kay & Burton Bayside with a price guide of $9.25 million to $9.75 million.
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Buyer demand, seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme are setting up a frantic spring, with activity likely to run through Christmas.
2 min
The spring property market is shaping up as the most active in recent memory, according to property experts Two Red Shoes.
Mortgage brokers Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton and Brett Sutton point to a potent mix of pent-up buyer demand, robust seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme as catalysts for a sustained run.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of activity, with high auction numbers already a clear indicator of the market’s trajectory,” said Sutton. “Last week, Sydney saw its second-highest number of auctions for the year. This kind of volume, even before the new First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHGS) changes take effect, signals a powerful market run.”
Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton added a note of caution. “While inquiries are at an all-time high, the big question is whether we will have enough stock to meet this demand. The market is incredibly hot, and this could lead to a highly competitive environment for buyers, with many homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their reserve.”
“With listings not keeping pace with buyer demand, buyers are needing to compromise faster and bid harder.”
Two Red Shoes identifies several spring trends. The First Home Guarantee Scheme is expected to unlock a wave of first-time buyers by enabling eligible purchasers to enter with deposits as low as 5 per cent. The firm notes this supports entry and reduces rent leakage, but it is a demand-side fix that risks pushing prices higher around the relevant caps.
Buyer behaviour is shifting toward flexibility. With competition intense, purchasers are prioritising what they can afford over ideal suburb or land size. Two Red Shoes expects the common first-home target price to rise to between $1 and $1.2 million over the next six months.
Affordable corridors are drawing attention. The team highlights Hawkesbury, Claremont Meadows and growth areas such as Austral, with Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains posting standout results. Preliminary Sydney auction clearance rates are holding above 70 per cent despite increased listings, underscoring the depth of demand.
The heat is not without friction. Reports of gazumping have risen, including instances where contract statements were withheld while agents continued to receive offers, reflecting the pressure on buyers in fast-moving campaigns.
Rates are steady, yet some banks are quietly trimming variable and fixed products. Many borrowers are maintaining higher repayments to accelerate principal reduction. “We’re also seeing a strong trend in rent-vesting, where owner-occupiers are investing in a property with the eventual goal of moving into it,” said Jarrett-Dalton.
“This is a smart strategy for safeguarding one’s future in this competitive market, where all signs point to an exceptionally busy and action-packed season.”
Two Red Shoes expects momentum to carry through the holiday period and into the new year, with competition remaining elevated while stock lags demand.
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