A luxurious mansion linked to one of Australia’s most influential families has hit the market with the potential to break property records.
The Myer family’s historic Cranlana estate in the exclusive Melbourne suburb of Toorak went on sale on Wednesday with a guide price of between $96 million and $105 million.
An within-guide sale would break Melbourne’s current price record of $80 million set by cryptocurrency gaming billionaire Edward Craven just a kilometer away in 2022.
While Craven plans to knock down the property for a $145 million redevelopment, Cranlana is on the Victorian Heritage Register due to its historical significance.
The eight-bedroom house sits on more than 11,000 square meters of land surrounded by a stone wall and Italian-style iron gates.
Its grandiose sunken garden was designed by architect Aarold Desbrowe Annear, its only known garden, and one of the few remaining in the suburb.
Heritage Council Victoria notes that the garden was influenced by Myer’s founder, Sidney Myer, who extensively remodeled the property after purchasing it in 1921.
He lived in the house until his death in 1934. His widow, Dame Merlyn, lived there for another 48 years until she died in 1982 and it was then given to Myer Family Investment.
The Myer family’s historic family home in Toorak (pictured) has been put up for sale for the first time in more than a century and is expected to fetch more than $100 million.
The eight-bedroom house was built in 1903 but redesigned by Myer founder Sidney Myer after he bought it in 1921.
The property listing describes the garden as “completely private, absolutely tranquil and filled with rare, centuries-old trees and plants, it is a botanical wonder.”
“Behind a 100-year-old wisteria ‘hedge’ lies a modern north-south grass tennis court and a picturesque swimming pool with pool house,” the listing reads.
‘Numerous outbuildings, including a detached cottage, former stables, potting shed, workshop, gardener’s office and triple garage, are located to the rear of the main residence and are accessed via a second driveway.’
Since then, the Myer family has used the property for programs run by the Cranlana Center for Ethical Leadership and for philanthropic events.
“Cranlana has been an important and treasured home where many generations of our family have gathered,” Myer Family Investments chairman and grandson of Myer founder Sidney Myer told Domain last month.
It features a unique garden (pictured) designed by architect Aarold Desbrowe Annear who helped place the house on the Victorian Heritage Register.
It also features sinks, prep rooms and kitchens with multiple ovens for entertaining fans.
‘Indeed, Cranlana in its own right has significant cultural and historical significance in Victoria.
“With over 100 years of family ownership and our expanding fifth generation, the time has come to pass the keys to our home and its magnificent garden to a new owner and custodian.”
In addition to the historic gardens, the house also features a marble hall, library, reception rooms, morning and drawing rooms, a formal drawing room and a ballroom.
It also has the ability to entertain multiple people with sinks, prep rooms, and kitchens with multiple ovens.
Also among the eight bedrooms are a master bedroom, a guest bedroom and two separate one-bedroom apartments on the property.