PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: FROM MANSE TO MANSION
Built in 1880, Brighton’s historic John Knox House blends Gothic Revival grandeur with a striking contemporary extension and resort-style living.
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Once the home of a Presbyterian minister, John Knox House has had a distinguished journey over the past century and a half.
The former manse next to John Knox Church on North Rd is now a glamorous Gothic landmark complete with a private tennis court, swimming pool, and a sophisticated 21st century addition.
Today’s John Knox House is a modern mansion offering all the creature comforts of a contemporary family home, with period details celebrating the residence’s holy history.
Built in 1880, the Gothic Revival manse was designed by prolific Melbourne architect Lloyd Tayler, who also drafted St John’s Anglican Church in Toorak and St Paul’s in Sale. Tayler’s other work includes Marden House in East Melbourne and the 1880s additions to the iconic Sunbury mansion Rupertswood, birthplace of The Ashes.
By 2026, John Knox House will remain a significant piece of Melbourne’s architectural history, even featuring on the John Knox Architectural Trail Walk.
It remained in the church’s hands for more than a century before the Uniting Church sold both the place of worship and the manse in 2007, with the latter selling for $2.701 million.
Since then, the Brighton trophy home has traded several times, most recently in 2017 for $6.75 million. Back on the market this month, John Knox House is listed with Kay & Burton Bayside agents Matthew Pillios and Melissa Grinter with a price guide between $10.5 million and $11.5 million.
The heritage-listed residence sits on a vast 1647sq m block in one of Brighton’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, less than 1 km to the bay.
While the grand estate has a colourful history, it also features a sophisticated modern renovation showcasing a blend of old-world charm and 21st-century flair fit for a growing family.
Original Gothic touches include ornate detailing, tessellated tiles, a period fireplace, and stained-glass windows. Meanwhile, the striking contemporary addition, with its unique cantilevered roof, is defined by concrete, steel, and glass walls.
At the heart of the newer wing is a large open-plan living zone with a stone kitchen featuring Miele appliances, a large island bench, and a walk-in pantry. The adjoining dining and lounge spaces spill out to the alfresco entertaining area with a built-in fridge, pizza oven, outdoor television, and integrated seating.
The long list of resort-style features includes a pool, an outdoor fireplace, a full-size tennis court that can be used as a basketball court, plus landscaped grounds, established trees, and a children’s playground.
A ground-floor palatial primary suite has a fireplace, dressing room, and a vast marble ensuite with a freestanding tub and twin vanities. Upstairs, there is a spacious rumpus room, a family-friendly bathroom, and four more bedrooms, each with built-ins.
Additional features at John Knox House include an underground cellar, hydronic heating, surround-sound systems, CCTV security, intercom and C-Bus home automation throughout.
The historic house is close to Brighton Beach, North Road Reserve, Kamesburgh Gardens and Martin St shopping and dining precincts.
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The grand harbourside residence combines sweeping Sydney Heads views, resort-style entertaining and refined designer finishes with a reported $36 million price guide.
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Media executive Hamish McLennan and his wife Lucinda have just listed their elegant Sydney harbourside mansion, with a price guide of $36 million.
Their luxurious four-bedroom family home in Darling Point is being offered through an expressions-of-interest campaign with the Ray White Double Bay duo Elliott Placks and Ashley Bierman.
McLennan, who is chairman of ARN and REA Group, incoming chairman of DroneShield, and a director at Light & Wonder, and his wife, Lucinda, are reportedly planning to downsize from the 771 sq m block.
Last traded in 2023 for $29.25 million, the McLennans purchased 19a Eastbourne Rd from Olympic gold medal-winning recruitment executive Mark Kerry and interior designer Lynda Kerry.
The Kerrys had engaged architect Andrew Barnyak to completely transform the Californian Mission-style property after buying it for $11 million in 2020.
In March this year, a neighbouring home at number 15 sold for $21 million. That 1920s five-bedroom residence had undergone a thorough renovation by owners Tasmin Johnson and bespoke tailor Patrick Johnson.
Apartment developer, Eduard Litver, sold his six-bedroom residence at 29 Eastbourne Rd in 2022 for $24 million. According to Cotality records, the street price record was set in 2017 when number 21 sold for $31.8m.
Positioned on the harbour side of Eastbourne Rd, the three-storey home at number 19a offers panoramic northerly views of the water from Manly to Sydney Heads. It has 687sq m of internal living space, including a dramatic central double-height void at the heart of the footprint.
The spacious ground floor features several large formal and informal living areas. Past the stately arched entrance way, the central void opens up above the dining and kitchen area, creating a mezzanine gallery level crowned by a grand illuminating skylight.
In the commercial-grade gas and marble kitchen, there is a vast eat-at island bench, a hidden butler’s pantry and high-end appliances.
The spacious lounge zone features a Jetmaster fireplace, a sunroom nook, a separate media room with another fireplace, and French doors opening to a long terrace overlooking the harbour.
At the same level, a guest bedroom has built-ins and an ensuite bath.
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, including a large main suite with extensive walk-through wardrobes, a hotel-style ensuite featuring a freestanding tub with a view, and a terrace that spans the full width of the home.
On the lower level, a spacious family retreat opens onto another terrace. This area includes an informal rumpus room with a fireplace, a sandstone wine tasting room and cellar, a bedroom, and a bathroom.
Resort-style alfresco features include a heated swimming pool and spa, complemented by a barbecue cabana with its own cosy fireplace.
The Darling Point home has a long list of added extras with a lift to all three levels, a big family-friendly laundry, luxury detailing such as high coffered ceilings, timber floors, premium wallpaper, and natural limestone finishes, plus a lock-up garage.
Eastbourne Rd is close to Double Bay shops, the Double Bay Sailing Club, wharf, Steyne Park, Double Bay Public School, and transport.
On the market via an expressions of interest campaign with Ray White Double Bay, 19a Eastbourne Rd, Darling Point is expected to sell around $36 million.
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