This Toorak Mansion Could Break The Victorian Record

Discreet and luxurious, Blair House is unquestionably one of Melbourne’s most significant estates.

Set within approx. 7800sqm of botanic parklands in what is Toorak’s most coveted boulevard comes a solid brick three-storey Georgian Revival pile of 10 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and 4 car parking.

The home was originally designed in 1836 by architects Hughes and Orme and occupies what once was the grounds of Victoria’s first Government House.

The grounds themselves see the home sit behind a high-walled garden and a row of rare Alnus Glutinosa trees line the drive leading to the home.

The grandeur of the home is met with warm oak flooring, timber panelling, Georgian windows and simple arches that accentuate the home’s refined elegance.

Here, the reception hall at the centre of the home leads to a series of formal and family rooms – each with its own garden outlook. Elsewhere, a drawing room is fitted with a fireplace, as is the sitting room while a stunning garden room all embraces the glorious north-facing hedged garden.

Further, the grand formal dining room (with yet another fireplace) is serviced by a separate kitchen featuring an AGA oven, breakfast room and a butler’s pantry.

Built to entertain, the reception hall flows outwards towards a large terrace with views of the grounds and a sprawling Oak tree.

Upstairs, via a broad staircase sees an abundance of accommodation including three double bedrooms — each with ensuites and robes — and four additional bedrooms, a fourth bathroom and two dressing rooms. Also upstairs is a library area, retreat and a study.

Up a third level and overlooking the garden through dormer windows comes a palatial living room, studio or bedroom, accompanied by a large dressing room and bathroom.

Also on the property is a double-storey converted stable that provides an additional 2/3 bedroom self-contained family or guest accommodation with its own car access from Dalriada Street.

Additionally, the gardens too are split into a series of “rooms”. For example, the north-south lawn tennis court, the Victorian glasshouse, a rose garden and kitchen gardens serve as separate spaces.

This listing is only the second time that “Blair House’ has become available, and such a unique opportunity is unlikely to be seen in Toorak within this lifetime. As such, the price guide for the property is set at a record-breaking $65 million – $70 million.

For more information contact Marshall White’s Marcus Chiminello (+61 411 411 271) or Sonja Sendin (+61 406 811 040); marshallwhite.com.au

Former Aussie Rules player Jeff Chapman’s dream beach house, which has had its praises sung by The Independent in the UK, is back on the market with a revised – and more competitive – price guide.

The contemporary pavilion-style residence Alinghi, created by celebrated architect James Grose, was voted one of the top five beach houses in the world by the British newspaper and has been operating as a luxury holiday rental earning up to $7000 a week.

The one-time Melbourne forward and founder of Bennelong Funds Management, and his wife Carena Shankar, listed the five-bedroom getaway back in mid 2024 with hopes of about $8 million. The prestige property is now back with new agent Pauline Karatau of Ray White New Farm and the amended guide now sits at $6.5 million.

As part of the private 5ha Rocky Point estate, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef overlooking Honeymoon Bay, the glamorous holiday home shares not only a private beach with just four other neighbours, but also a 30m saltwater pool, a full-size tennis court, a beach cabana with barbecue facilities and a full-time live-in caretaker on site.

Alinghi seemingly floats against the cliffs of North Queensland’s Capricorn Coast consisting of two pavilions and shallow reflections pools for ultimate serenity. Residence number 5 is home to a two-storey main pavilion with large living spaces spilling onto semi-enclosed areas framing enviable ocean views. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, including two with ensuites. The second pavilion is a private retreat housing the main bedroom suite with an additional study or wellness space.

Crafted by Grose to leave minimal impact on its natural environment, the house features external materials sourced locally including rich cedar, plus glass and Travertine stone specifically chosen to blend and weather with the landscape over time.

The low maintenance property is also relatively self sufficient thanks to water tanks collecting the region’s abundant rainfall. Despite it’s northern Queensland address air-conditioning is an after-thought due to the clever cross-ventilation design principles and deliberate orientation capturing ocean breezes that flow through the large footprint.

Alinghi’s external lightning has also been carefully designed to be low voltage with minimum impact upon the local wildlife including wallabies, echidnas, goannas, turtles and even a diverse range of native birds. From the private terraces throughout winter, homeowners can also track the migratory whales.

Alinghi is a 90-minute drive away from Agnes Waters and its sister town of 1770 (also known as Seventeen Seventy). It is approximately 120kms from Bundaberg, which is home to a well-serviced domestic airport.

Alinghi is listed for sale with a price guide of $6.5 million via Ray White New Farm agent Pauline Karatau on 0418 733 773.

This Toorak Mansion Could Break The Victorian Record

Blair House presents itself as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.