TOWERING AMBITION BY THE BAY ON THE MARKET
A grand, heritage-style beach house with a tennis court, tower rooftop and bay views is redefining Sorrento luxury living.
2 min
It’s a beach house, but not as you know it. Despite its heritage-inspired facade, Tower House in the coastal pocket of Sorrento has all the hallmarks of a grand estate with the benefits of a contemporary build.
Although the striking residence with a tennis court and pool on Victoria’s coveted Mornington Peninsula was only built in the 1990s, it oozes old-world charm, echoing the classic Sorrento tower houses that pepper the beachside suburb.
Sorrento real estate has had a rollercoaster ride in recent years after surfing a significant price wave during the pandemic.
The 12-month median house price in the area was down 23.9 per cent to $1.75 million over the June quarter last year, according to Domain data – the steepest drop on the peninsula. However, by the close of 2025, REA Group’s PropTrack figures showed Sorrento was down only 3.2 per cent over the 12 months to December, indicating that values are on a slow climb.
Tower House has been held by the same family since 2002, last changing hands for $1.47 million according to CoreLogic records. Today, Rob Curtain and Danielle Vains of Peninsula Sotheby’s International Realty have listed the 1711sq m four-bedroom, four-bathroom property with a price guide of $7.3 million to $8 million.
Inside the palatial family residence, there are multiple living areas for formal and more casual entertaining spaces, which spill out onto traditional wraparound terraces.
The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, a double oven, a unique black-and-white checkered floor, and an adjoining sunroom.
All bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, three have their own ensuites and the fourth sits beside a full family bathroom. An additional multipurpose room could be a fifth bedroom or home office with a fireplace.
Beyond the entry portico and foyer, a statement spiral staircase rises up to the tower and vast rooftop terrace, complete with a built-in bar and sweeping views across Port Phillip Bay.
The grounds at Tower House have been designed for relaxed beachside living, ticking all the boxes for resort-style entertaining, from the full north-to-south-facing tennis court and heated pool to the spa and private manicured gardens. To showcase its peninsula setting, the property also features a row of iconic “Brighton beach boxes” as a colourful alternative poolside cabana.
Bonus features at the property include ducted heating, air-conditioning, and a double lock-up garage with loft storage.
Buyers seeking more space or an added income stream can seize a neighbouring opportunity with a three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage on seperate title fronting Hotham Rd for sale by the same owners.
Tower House is close to Sorrento’s shopping strip, Sorrento Park, the beach and coastal walking trails.
The property at 3395 Point Nepean Rd, Sorrento is listed with Rob Curtain and Danielle Vains of Peninsula Sotheby’s International Realty.
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A former Paul Bangay estate in the Macedon Ranges blends heritage charm, sculpted gardens and pavilion living across 108 hectares.
2 min
Seemingly borrowed from a scene in Bridgerton, or plucked from the pages of a Brontë novel, St Ambrose in the picturesque Macedon Ranges of Victoria is a masterclass in English-inspired charm.
It’s no surprise, then, that the expansive 108ha estate, whose grounds are known as The Enchanted Garden, is the former home of celebrated landscaper Paul Bangay.
St Ambrose is a property with a genuine narrative. The story begins in the 1880s, when the original bones of the modernised homestead were just a humble schoolhouse.
Just over a century later, Bangay bought the country compound and spent a decade transforming it into a magical escape showcased in his iconic book, The Enchanted Garden.
Arranged as a sequence of “rooms”, the grounds are connected by sculptured hedges and framed planting that has been handpicked to connect with the surrounding Macedon landscape.
Now the estate is back on the market via an expressions-of-interest campaign with Campbell Kilsby and Tony Ryan of Kay & Burton Bayside, who are seeking offers between $8 million and $8.8 million. According to title records, it last traded in 2023 for $8 million.
A line of perfectly placed pencil pines frames a structured forecourt, anchored by a central, calming water feature.
Beyond the landmark gardens, the residence has also been revived, crafted into a series of connected pavilions balancing old and new. The former schoolhouse is still part of the story, now integrated into the main living zones.
Inside, the house features epic proportions with high ceilings, big fireplaces, spacious rooms, and expansive glazing that captures the romance of the outdoors from every angle.
The central country kitchen has stone surfaces, an island bench, shaker cabinetry, and French doors to the patio.
There are four bedrooms, including a main suite with a quiet garden outlook, while additional bedrooms are positioned for privacy. At the far end of the vast floor plan, there is also a fully self-contained one-bedroom guest residence for extended family or visitors.
Two separate garages have raked western red cedar ceilings, polished concrete floors, and custom timber doors that open the space up for entertaining in the stately setting. Ordinarily, the garage can accommodate more than five vehicles.
In addition to the heritage-style gardens, the grounds feature a newly rebuilt 20m wet-edge pool with an integrated spa, as well as an upgraded reflection pond complete with new filtration and lighting.
Other recent behind-the-scenes renovations include hydronic heating, air conditioning, irrigation, and water storage.
St Ambrose is close to Woodend Station and is approximately 70kms from Melbourne’s CBD.
St Ambrose at 7 Wood St, Woodend, Victoria, is listed through an expressions-of-interest campaign with Kay & Burton Bayside. Offers close on May 27 at 5 pm, and the price guide is $8 million to $8.8 million.
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