In Melbourne, a Modern House With a Classical Air

Listing of the Day

Location: South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia

Price: A$11.5 million (US$9.7 million)

This city pad, in one of Melbourne’s most exclusive roads, has a grand, Victorian air about it, but was built just seven years ago.

Ceilings are 3.5 meters high, there are fireplaces and the sweeping staircase in the "vast entrance hall" recalls "Gone With The Wind," said agent Greg Herman, of Melbourne Sotheby’s International.

It’s a home he describes as perfect for a buyer who appreciates luxury, low maintenance and highly secure living.  "This is ideal for someone leaving a very large house with land who wants the same proportion of rooms, but without the maintenance of a huge property," he said. "I’d guess a prospective buyer would also have a country or beach house, wants the convenience of a home just 10 to 15 minutes drive from the city."

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Stats

The 800-square-meter (8,611-square-foot), four-story house has three bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Design pedigree

The current owner commissioned Melbourne-based architect Nicholas Day, known for high-end residential design, to build the house with classical proportions. The building with cement render has an austere but imposing appearance and the air of a much older historic home.

The entrance hall separates a formal living room and formal dining room, with space to seat 16, on the ground floor level, with glossy American oak parquet floors throughout.

All rooms have large windows. Some, such as those in the informal living area, open up fully to an outdoor seating area and patio. The high-spec kitchen has Gaggenau appliances.

All bedrooms, on the second floor of the house, are en-suite, and all bathrooms are marble. The master bedroom has the biggest bathroom, with a large, standalone jacuzzi bath. The bedroom leads onto a master dressing room with bespoke cabinetry.

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Amenities

The house has a private pool in its backyard, and, for less sunny days, a movie theater in the basement. On the third floor is a study with its own sitting room. All floors can be reached by an elevator, which also connects to the basement’s six-car garage.

Neighborhood notes

The house is in one of the most popular parts of South Yarra, a short walk to the "magnificent parklands" of Como Park, and not far from some of the city’s best fashion boutiques and hip restaurants on Chapel Street.

The property is in good company. On the same road is Como House and Gardens, a historic home now owned by the National Trust of Victoria, built in 1847, and home to the aristocratic Armytage family for 100 years.

Agent  Greg Herman, Melbourne Sotheby’s International

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