Property of the Week: 13 Prince Albert St, Mosman

Prince Albert House is a stately Federation manor showcasing just how Mosman’s grand architectural past can be expertly coupled with a contemporary renovation.

Surrounded by some of Mosman’s greatest estates, the regal residence once known as Candida underwent a rebranding and a significant renovation several years ago before it last changed hands in 2016 for $10 million.

Today’s vendors, publican Matthew Fallon and his partner Tamara Martin, have engaged Michael Coombs and Tia Naris of Atlas Lower North Shore to market the property with the auction guide sitting at $15.75 million.

Only the fourth owner in the property’s 117-year history, Fallon is one of three brothers behind The Buena in Mosman. Matthew, Luke, and Tim Fallon bought the Middle Head Rd watering hole Buena Vista Hotel in 2015 for more than $13m before renaming it.

Sitting on 1254sq m of estate-like grounds on Prince Albert St, one of Mosman’s most sought-after streets, this stately house is a blend of old-world charm meets modern luxury, coupled with enviable views of the iconic Harbour Bridge and water.

The period property’s transformation was initiated by the previous owner, recruitment boss Jeromine Alpe, who enlisted Giles Tribe Architects for the bulk of the renovations. Fallon and Martin added their own personal touches later on.

“This is a really beautiful house with lots of space. So many Federation homes have pokey rooms and a difficult layout but this one has been really opened up to be a historic home with a very modern floor plan,” said Coombs.

Inside, Prince Albert House has a host of charming historic detail paying homage to its Federation roots including high ornate ceilings, intricate leadlight windows, and grand marble fireplaces. The 21st Century additions like the Calacatta marble kitchen with custom butler’s pantry and seamless connections to the great outdoors are also perfectly suited to today’s must-have Sydney lifestyle.

The large layout features formal living and dining rooms with bay windows, casual family zones and big bedrooms with built-ins. In the primary bedroom suite, separated from the rest of the house on the first floor, there is a walk-through wardrobe to a deluxe bath ensuite as well as two balconies, a sitting area and an adjoining home office. Two more bedrooms also feature ensuites.

Resort style amenities of the Mosman property include a swimming pool surrounded by manicured gardens, sandstone feature walls, a gym with a sauna and ensuite, plus a large wine cellar.

Close to a long list of lifestyle locations, the house is near family-friendly harbour beaches, Taronga Zoo, Mosman’s shopping precinct, coveted schools and city ferries.

Prince Albert House at 13 Prince Albert St, Mosman is currently listed with Michael Coombs of Atlas and is scheduled to go to auction on November 2.

Toorak’s reputation has been built on grand estates, tightly held boulevards and some of Melbourne’s most valuable residential land. Yet one of its rarest attributes is largely hidden from the street: direct frontage to the Yarra River.

Although the river traces much of Toorak’s northern boundary, just over 20 homes in the blue-chip suburb are believed to border the water—and fewer still provide genuine river access. There is no definitive public register of Toorak homes with private jetties, but prestige agents have consistently described them as only a handful.

It is rare, then, for a property offering both river frontage and direct water access to become available in Melbourne’s so-called billionaire’s playground. The newly built Solara on Orrong Road presents precisely that opportunity.

Set on approximately 1,129sqm, the five-bedroom residence descends towards the river, culminating in a private, double-tiered jetty. Here, the Yarra is more than a distant outlook: it becomes part of daily life, offering a place to launch a boat, relax beside the water or travel towards the city from home.

That distinction is significant in Toorak. Many of the suburb’s finest properties offer scale, security and architectural pedigree, but very few combine all three with direct access to the river.

Architecture shaped by the site

Designed by Melbourne studio Alta and constructed by EASTON, Solara has been conceived as a series of interconnected levels descending towards the Yarra.

Rather than presenting as a single imposing volume, the house responds to its sloping site through stepped terraces, landscaped outdoor areas and large expanses of glazing. The architecture gradually reveals the water, drawing the eye through the interior and towards the river below.

The design has earned Solara a nomination in the 2026 Master Builders Excellence in Housing Awards.

Inside, a restrained material palette allows texture, proportion and natural light to carry the design. Stone, timber, glass and finely detailed joinery establish a sense of permanence without overwhelming the river setting.

The principal living area is arranged beneath a dramatic double-height ceiling, giving the room the scale expected of a major Toorak residence while maintaining a strong connection to the garden and water.

Full-height glazing opens the house to its outlook, while multiple living and entertaining spaces allow the property to transition between intimate family use and larger gatherings.

A private resort beside the Yarra

Solara’s principal living spaces open onto an expansive river-facing terrace containing a swimming pool and spa.

The outdoor area has been positioned to take advantage of both the northern light and the relative seclusion of the riverbank. Mature landscaping provides another layer of privacy, softening the architecture and creating the atmosphere of a private resort.

Below, the grounds continue towards the double-tiered jetty.

The residence also incorporates a dedicated wellness area and gym, reinforcing the sense that the home has been designed to provide a complete lifestyle within its boundaries.

Its accommodation includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms, with the principal suite occupying a private domain of its own. The house also provides garaging for four cars—an important consideration in a property of this scale.

Across the residence, the emphasis is less on overt decoration than on volume, outlook and craftsmanship. Sightlines have been carefully managed so that the river is encountered repeatedly, rather than being confined to a single formal room.

A different expression of Toorak prestige

Toorak’s luxury market is often associated with historic mansions and large European-inspired estates. Solara represents a more contemporary interpretation of the suburb: architecturally ambitious, highly private and organised around lifestyle rather than formality.

Its position also places it within a particularly scarce segment of the market.

Riverfront homes have previously appeared along addresses including St Georges Road and Edzell Avenue, although they tend to remain in the same ownership for long periods. Even among these properties, private jetties and convenient access to the water are not universal.

That scarcity separates Solara from other prestige homes that may offer river views without actually reaching the river.

For buyers operating at the upper end of Melbourne’s residential market, the value proposition is therefore not simply the size of the house or its list of amenities. It is the combination of new architecture, substantial land, resort facilities and an attribute that cannot readily be recreated: private access to the Yarra from Toorak.

Solara is being marketed with a guide of $16.8 million to $18.3 million through Jamie Mi of Kay & Burton.

Property snapshot

Address: 803 Orrong Road, Toorak, Victoria

Guide: $16.8 million–$18.3 million

Agent: Kay & Burton agent Jamie Mi

Land: Approximately 1,129sqm

Accommodation: Five bedrooms, six bathrooms and four-car accommodation

Design: Alta

Builder: EASTON

Key features: Private jetty, direct river access, gym, indoor spa and double-height living volume