A historic Armadale mansion bought and sold by noteworthy Melburnians has set a new price record for the leafy inner southeastern suburb.
Namarong, at 52 Hampden Rd, fetched an undisclosed sum beyond its $22m-$24m price guide on June 2, topping the previous local benchmark of 2 Kelmscott Rd’s $23.9m in 2018.
Theatre director Michael Kantor and his wife Silvia sold the incredible six-bedroom, 3370sq m estate after commissioning leading design firm Kennedy Nolan to overhaul the interiors.
RELATED: Melissa Skirton-Cussell: High-society socialite and sculptor lists Armadale house
Kylie Minogue sells Cambridge St, Armadale, house after 31 years
Armadale: Melbourne family to pay $15m for off-the-plan penthouse
They had bought the property for $9m in 2008 from art dealer Rod Menzies, who himself bought the property from billionaire Paul Little for $3.425m in 2000.
Private Property Global director Michael Gibson said Kennedy Nolan “in essence went from the front door to the back door and re-did the house” under its sellers’ ownership.
The 1868 Victorian Italianette mansion was built on “the rural high grounds of Armadale for a shipping merchant, who required a home of great stature, surrounds, and a direct line of sight to Port Phillip Bay to watch the movements of his vessels in and out”, the listing states.
It’s now “a bold and beautiful home for the times” and “every bit as modern as it is classic” after its interior redesign.
Listing photos show a deep blue ceiling and upper walls above rich timber in a formal dining room, and burnt orange carpets on stairs and cosy corners.
Mr Gibson said the renovation was “a big asset” for buyers.
“And obviously the land component at nearly 3400sq m is a substantial parcel — it’s the perfect blend of a beautiful estate on a large allotment,” he said.
Michael Kantor was the artistic director of Malthouse Theatre from 2005 to 2010, and is the nephew of Rupert Murdoch, the founder of News Corp, which owns Herald Sun publisher The Herald & Weekly Times.
MORE: Jordan Lewis: AFL champion sells Glen Iris family home
The Wright House: Robin Boyd North Warrandyte masterpiece for sale
Docklands price record: Double-storey penthouse on another level
scott.carbines@news.com.au
Originally published as Namarong: Bold renovation helps elevate Armadale price record
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7xaKlmqaTmnyzscClZJ6rpJbBpnvMnqObp6Wnu6Z51aKaaKaRoq6zu82gZJunnJl6s7HNqK2arJmku260xKWnrGWVobK3rdOeZJqqnZaxorjEZqeroZOaerOxwqipnWeemsS0edKtpquxX22vc67DbZpqcJOWhnKwkJtommppaoGlf5RpnWxrZmaz