Inside Kew’s Grand “Prague House”
The expansive pile is one of the finest Victorian-style homes in Melbourne.
2 min
The landmark Victorian slate-roofed residence, “Prague House”, formally known as “Dunboe” is arguably one of the finest period mansions in Kew, Melbourne.
Set back from Sackville Street, the circa 1880s-built home of 6-bedrooms, 6-bathrooms and 4-car parking is set on approximately 3400sqm of lush gardens with beautiful mature trees that speak to an era of gracious living undertaken on a grand scale.
Today, Prague House offers a heady combination of Victorian elegance — through the restoration of character features such as the original staircase, arches and mantles — and modern amenities for entertaining and living.
Inside, the home’s generous proportions are complemented by 4.5-metre ceilings and exquisite period attributes including ornate external rendering, stained glass windows and ceilings ornately decorated cornices, arches and columns.
Downstairs the entrance hall features a tessellated tile that leads to a large study, formal sitting room and dining room with an arched bay window and Black Belgian mantle alongside a billiards room. The home sees 12 (yes, 12) marble mantels, with eight of them in original condition.
Central to the home’s function is the expansive contemporary family domain boasting herringbone parquetry floors and incorporating a kitchen equipped with stone benchtops, an island bench and prestige Smeg appliances plus a butler’s pantry.
Upstairs features the flexibility of five bedrooms including a sumptuous main with walk-in-robes, and a glorious ensuite with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking the rear gardens as well as a retreat or playroom and a family bathroom.
The covered pool helps the home’s entertaining space transition from indoors to outdoors and accompanies the alfresco entertaining area that is completed by a barbeque kitchen that overlooks the night-lit tennis court.
Also found on the grounds are large lawn areas, retreats and rebuilt Victorian stables uses as a pavilion, outdoor entertainment area or possible self-contained guest accommodation or home office.
The listing is with Marshall White’s Marcus Chiminello (+61 411 411 271) with a price guide of $16.5m – $17.5m; marshallwhite.com.au
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
The construction sector is roaring back to life in some Australian states while others languish in the doldrums
< 1 min
The home building market is on the rebound as building approvals rise, new data reveals.
Information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the total number of dwellings approved in August was up 7 percent seasonally adjusted, with apartments leading the way.
Private sector house approvals gained 5.8 percent in August while private sector residences excluding houses were up 9.4 percent. This follows on from a decrease of 14.6 percent in July and indicates a solid recovery in the Australian construction sector as the end of the year approaches.
Approvals for total dwellings were strongest in the two largest states, with Victoria recording a rise of 22.2 percent and NSW 12.5 percent. Western Australia also saw a significant rise of 12.3 percent.
In Queensland, the results were less positive for the sector, with total dwelling approvals falling by -26.9 percent. Tasmania also experienced a drop in approvals in August, down -10.1 percent and South Australia -6.9 percent.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
