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

A breathtaking view and a lush quarter-acre block are high up the wish list with any lifestyle property, but this contemporary Buderim residence takes things to another level.

Designed and built by owners Stu and Nat Faid, the Sunshine Coast home reflects their vision and incredible attention to detail.

As an architect and designer, Nat believes a prime position deserves an incredible project.

“The heart of the house is undoubtedly the living area and expansive deck. At over 100sq m and elevated more than 6m above the ground, you literally feel like you’re floating. We love how the views stretch from the Glass House Mountains along the coastline to Mooloolaba. Across the ocean, you can even see the sandbanks on Moreton Island,” she says.

While the views and the 1024sq m land parcel make their mark, it’s the suspended 12m heated shipping container swimming pool that’s making waves locally.

“When people arrive, the first thing they do is look up,” Nat adds.

After purchasing the property in 2021, the pair knew the existing house wouldn’t live up to their family of four, but they fell in love with the location and outlook so decided to adapt.

Initially, the pool’s unique design was simply a reaction to an everyday Queensland problem, but ultimately became a feature.

“The pool was at first a product of practicality. We wanted to be able to watch the kids in the pool from the house, but to do that required elevating the pool more than six meters off the ground,” Stu says.

“When we looked at the engineering required, it conflicted with our minimal-touch ethos in preserving the land and the visual aesthetic of the finished design. What followed was a lot of searching for a solution, and as luck would have it, the answer was almost on our doorstep.”

Shipping Container Pools seemed like a no-brainer answer to the pool problem. Having moved internationally multiple times, the couple saw an opportunity to weave their personal story into the fabric of their new home.

“The opportunity to incorporate a nod to that chapter of our life into the build was too good to miss,” he says.

“It also unashamedly reinforces the origins of the pool construction, which ties into the rest of the design in the house. Throughout the home, we have embraced where the old meets the new, we have not tried to blend, cover or hide the origins of the home, we have chosen instead to make sure the evolution of the house is clear to see.”

The Faids’ global family journey is evident throughout the home, from the grand Middle Eastern entry doors sourced from Dubai where the couple once lived, to the remarkable views from the Glass House Mountains to Mooloolaba.

Created to enjoy every season, the house has a space for all eventualities with an open plan living area spilling out to the full-width deck and pool, a sleek kitchen with an Ilve integrated fridge and freezer, Bosch ovens, an induction cooktop, built-in coffee machine and microwave, two dishwashers, filtered water and a butler’s pantry.

Four spacious bedrooms each have built-ins, the main features a large ensuite with twin vanities and two more bedrooms share a“Jack and Jill” style bathroom. There is also a third full bathroom.

The Buderim home is 12.5kms from Mooloolaba and the Mooloolaba River National Park with the Sunshine Coast Airport 13.5kms to the north, however Stu adds that there is rarely a reason to leave.

“It would be fair to say that apart from popping down the hill to go to the beach, we often go days without ever leaving the village. It’s really is a wonderful spot.”

Packed with mod cons, the Buderim home also features six-zone ducted air-conditioning, engineered oak floors and a double-sided Stuv wood-burning fireplace, a mudroom, heated floors and sensor lights in the bathrooms. There is also a private elevator, solar power and battery, as well as landscaped gardens and a large lock up garage and shed.

The property at 10 Orient Court, Buderim is listed with Zoe Byrne and Greg Ward from Ray White Buderim and will go to auction on September 22 at 9am at Mercedes-Benz Sunshine Coast, 65 Maroochy Blvd, Maroochydore.

This Toorak Mansion Could Break The Victorian Record

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

This sky-high home on the Sunshine Coast with iconic shipping container pool is a testament to modern design and engineering.