Victorian-era grandeur meets this South Melbourne home regarded as one of the suburb’s best.
Dating to the 1880s or 1890s, the 11 Mountain St property has had an overhaul at the hands of celebrated architect Stephen Akehurst.
While the home is listed for $6.7m-$7.1m with offers due by September 12, Mr Rae said the home had been in fairly basic condition when they bought it about 20 years ago.
But it has always been well loved, with only two owners across the home’s more than 100-year history before then.
Soon after buying it, they had the home renovated to bring it up to speed, but it was not until about eight years ago that they tore down the back and brought in Mr Akehurst.
“We wanted to have the grandeur of the house, but modernise it with a Hamptons-style feel for the newer part,” Mr Rae said.
Sash windows, high ceilings with ornamental cornices and the home’s classic veranda all throw back to yesteryear.
But the 18-month rebuild on a 560sq m corner block also helped them add more light to the home and validated it as an entertainer’s dream with a high-end kitchen decked out with Carrara marble benchtops and European appliances.
A butler’s pantry is tucked out of sight, adding more storage space and a laundry that opens to a storage room and the driveway (accessed via Iffla St).
It is adjoined by a dining space, but guests are likely to gravitate to the home’s living room, which is warmed by a fireplace and spills out to a patio.
Outside, the backyard pool is a relatively recent addition to the house, and with heating and a spa it is one that has plenty of use throughout the year – much like the rest of the home’s outdoor entertainment spaces.
The garden is green most of the year, but comes into its own in summer when a pair of jacarandas that are almost as old as the house provide a purple canopy.
A magnolia tree in the front yard flowers in winter for a burst of cool-weather colour.
The home’s four ground-level bedrooms still have plenty of period charm, including a fireplace in each. The main also has a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite.
Upstairs, a retreat adds a second living area. It is joined by a storage space and two more bedrooms with a dual-entry bathroom between them.
Mr Rae said the decision to downsize had been difficult, given years spent hosting family events and how much they loved the feel of the house.
The home’s location made the decision to sell that little bit harder, with St Vincent Gardens, cafes and eateries in Albert Park as well as the South Melbourne Market and beach all within walking distance.
Melbourne’s CBD is easily reached by nearby tram or light rail.
Marshall White Port Phillip director Oliver Bruce said the home was often referred to as “the best house in South Melbourne” thanks to its impressive size and 17m frontage to Mountain St.
