A record sale for Ilyuka Estate?
Melbourne is all abuzz with the rumoured sale of the historic Ilyuka Estate in the prestigious holiday hotspot, Portsea.
Although not confirmed yet, the $20 million price tag that was on the property has possibly been trumped by a record-breaking offer in the vicinity of $26 million. It is rumoured that an Australian buyer put the offer forward, however agents from Kay & Burton declined to comment or name the purchaser.
The sale would parallel the prices only a few of Melbournes city estates have fetched in recent years. Previous records for properties in Victoria were set by ‘The Sisters’ in nearby Sorrento, a coveted property which forms part of Victoria’s first settlement site and fronts the exclusive Sullivan Bay. The historic property was sold as part of millionaire Peter Rand estate, who died in 1997. The Sisters was sold by Rands family in 2008 for $18.4 million as a cash sale.
Similar ground breaking prices have only been seen in Melbourne’s best inner city suburbs, including the sale of ‘Avon Court’ in Hawthorn for $25 million, and the sale of ‘Miegunyah’ in Toorak for $23 million last year. Before that, art dealer, Rod Menzies, paid $18 million for the Stonington mansion in Glenferrie Road, Malvern, in 2007.
Ilyuka made headlines when it was first put on the market due to its heritage and its exorbitant marketing campaign, which included a five-minute movie reportedly costing more than $200,000 to make. The movie features Channel Nine personality and the face of spring racing Brodie Harper, with her husband Heath Meldrum, who play out a charming rendition of a ‘Great Gatsby’ style afternoon in the estates gardens and grand rooms.
The property was owned by former Computershare director and mother of two, Michele O’Halloran, who bought the mansion in 1999 for $7.5 million.
The restored and renovated Hollywood-style home was built for American oil tycoon, Harry Cornforth, in 1929-30, and is situated atop Portsea's coveted cliff top, next to the likes of trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and investment banker John McIntosh.
Portsea is widely regarded as an exclusive holiday destination for Melbourne’s elite. Its iconic ‘Portsea Pub’ has been a long time hangout for the rich and famous, and it’s been a the home of regular iron man competitions, the Portsea Pro-Am Classic, the Pier to Pub Swim, the Portsea Swim Classic, and the Melbourne to Hobart and Melbourne to Davenport Yacht Races.
Ilyuka includes eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, basement cellar, and generously proportioned living, dining, and entertaining rooms.
The grounds sprawl over two acres and feature a full–sized grass tennis court, sweeping driveway, private steps to the exclusive Point King beach and access to a private jetty.
For further information, find it on Millionplus.
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