Heritage mansion a rare piece of Melbourne’s architectural past

Just over a dozen of John Beswicke’s residential designs remain today. So, when one of his unique heritage mansions resurfaces after more than half a century off the market, it’s enough to turn some history-lovers’ heads.

A rare piece of Melbourne’s architectural past is 13 Harcourt St, Hawthorn East—previously known as Tudor House or Hilton House—which is listed for the first time in 52 years with Davide Lettieri and Nikki McCarthy of Marshall White Boroondara.

Beswicke certainly influenced Melbourne’s built environment, designing hundreds of public and private buildings between the 1870s and 1915.

A prolific designer, he is credited with creating approximately 300 buildings, including more than 200 houses, 44 commercial buildings, 14 churches, 11 hotels, nine banks, and six town halls including prominent spaces such as, Brighton Town Hall, Malvern Town Hall, Essendon Town Hall, Dandenong Town Hall, and Hawthorn Town Hall.

He called Hawthorn home, specifically Harcourt St in Hawthorn East, where he and many of his family resided. Of the houses he designed in the coveted street, 14 still stand, including Rotha, his own home at 29 Harcourt St.

In March last year, number 35 made headlines when the impressive manor named Charlton set a new street record. The restored circa-1882 Hawthorn East home on 3422 sq m with Paul Bangay gardens was set to become the suburb’s first sale above $20 million, but only just missed the mark at $19,986,888.

Before that exchange, the previous benchmark for the street was $19.5m, set in 2022 with the sale of Ellerslie, a 3340sq m estate at 16 Harcourt St.

Today, the smaller but no less impressive residence at 13 Harcourt St, which is 2114 sq m and has a price guide of $13.25 million, is on the market.

Completed around 1875, the solid brick Victorian residence features a unique chateau-inspired facade and retains many of its period finishes by Beswicke.

The home is framed by lush private parkland gardens with a fountain, rolling lawns and a backyard pool.

Beyond the elegant castle-like exterior, there are voluminous interiors, including an impressive double-arched entrance hall featuring oak parquetry floors and leadlight windows. At the front of the floor plan sits a vast sitting room with a marble fireplace and a stately library with a gas fireplace and walls of bookshelves.

The showstopper is the grand former ballroom, now a combined living and dining area. It has a double-height timber-lined vaulted ceiling, yet another marble fireplace, and arched French doors opening out to the lush north-facing grounds.

The contemporary kitchen, which also spills out onto the yard, has stone bench tops, an integrated fridge/freezer, a meals area, and a hidden laundry.

On the ground floor a self-contained wing features a bedroom with ensuite and sitting area, ideal for a primary suite or guest quarters with direct access to the gardens.

On the first floor, three more bedrooms have built-in wardrobes. They share a full family-friendly bathroom and a balcony overlooking the large front lawn.

Outdoors, there is ample room for entertaining beside with a stone terrace and solar-heated pool.

Despite its 150-year-old status, the property also features many modern conveniences such as an alarm, ducted heating, reverse-cycle air-conditioners, irrigation, storage and multiple car spaces.

The Hawthorn East home is close to Auburn amenities and station, Burke Rd trams, sought-after schools, and Rathmines Reserve.

13 Harcourt St, Hawthorn East, is on the market via private sale with Marshall White Boroondara and has a price guide of $13.25 million.