A Japanese Zen home in Hawthorn designed in part by former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu for a famous Victorian family is up for grabs.
The five-bedroom estate at 20 Berkeley St was built in 1988 and can be likened to a Japanese tea house, featuring a Zen pond and gardens, and interior walls imitating the traditional shoji partition doors found in many Japanese homes.
It was originally built for Louise and Martyn Myer, members of the prominent Melbourne Myer dynasty, who also own luxury Wanaka accommodation site, Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet in New Zealand.
Enter into tranquil bliss.
The home has a strong Japanese influence.
The design was also led by Mr Baillieu, who worked as an architect before turning to politics, alongside John Mayne at their architectural firm Mayne and Baillieu.
Marshall White Balwyn agent Perry Zhou said the property was located on the Riversdale Rd end of Hawthorn’s Scotch Hill, which was a major drawcard for family buyers with children attending the prestigious Scotch College nearby.
“It’s a one of a kind home and the front rooms all look out onto the pond, it’s sort of a botanic garden,” Mr Zhou said.
“It’s entirely private but close to all the action and amenities like Kooyong lawn tennis club.”
A foyer featuring a striking dome ceiling joins a study, living room and bedroom with an ensuite in the entrance.
Further in, a walkway connecting the main living zone and entrance is placed over a tranquil water garden that wouldn’t look out of place in the heart of Japan.
A glamorous kitchen features Miele appliances and stone benchtops.
A separate dining area leads into the open-plan living room and kitchen, which boasts high-end Miele appliances and a stone-topped island bench, all overlooking the spacious rear entertaining deck and swimming pool.
There’s also three bedrooms on the ground floor, while a fifth bedroom with an ensuite, kitchenette and balcony is found upstairs.
“The vendors did a renovation last year which really just brought new life to the house,” Mr Zhou said.
“It was a small renovation but keeping with the original spirit and authenticity of the home and giving it a new refreshed feeling.”
He added the original design was completely custom-made and built to the Myer family’s “exact standards”.
Mr Zhou has the glitzy $10.95m-$11.95m listing in conjunction with Abercromby’s Real Estate Armadale agents Ada Taylor and Hugh Hardy.
A spacious deck and entertaining area is found at the rear alongside a swimming pool.
“It’s a beautiful, big parcel of land which is one of the real drawcards, the land on that top end of Scotch Hill is a bit of a rarity,” Mr Hardy said.
“The exceptional gardens surround the house which has a lovely Japanese style and feel to it, which is quite unique in terms of today’s architecture and design.”
Mr Hardy said the home would suit a family seeking a refined property with a tranquil feel to it, located in a tightly held pocket of Scotch Hill.
“The bridge over the pond was designed for you to linger for a moment and appreciate the garden … the owner said it was his favourite place,” he added.
“(The Myers) had good taste and a good vision to create something unique, it has a lovely appeal and a design you don’t see much of today.”
CoreLogic records show the property last sold in 2020 for $7.85m.
Leave a Reply