Latest news with #DarrenLewenberg
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Top features in Victoria's $10m luxury mansions
A basement wellness retreat, voice-activated tech and a garage big enough for a supercar collection, that's just the entry point for Victoria's $10m+ prestige club. Buyers' agents and high-end selling agents say homes that crack eight figures are no longer just about postcode or square footage, they're about polish, privacy and absolute convenience. Industry Insider Property director and prestige buyers agent Andrew Date recently inspected a $20m Toorak fortress that ticked every box: two pools (one for laps, one for lounging), a fully automated home system, and a wellness zone in the basement. 'There was a pilates studio, sauna, steam room, the works,' Mr Date said. 'These homes are smart, secure and stacked with lifestyle features.' Kay & Burton director Darren Lewenberg said prestige buyers were increasingly turning away from renovation projects, no matter how grand, in favour of perfectly finished homes. 'They'll pay millions more just to avoid dealing with builders, permits and delays,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'Brand new or fully renovated, that's where the money is going.' And they're ruthlessly detail-focused. Mr Lewenberg said if the floor plan doesn't work, or the build quality isn't up to scratch, they'll walk. 'These buyers are globally aware, well-travelled and incredibly specific,' he said. 'They want quality that holds value.' Land is still the foundation of a prestige purchase, especially in Toorak, Hawthorn or South Yarra. Flat, well-oriented blocks close to schools and lifestyle precincts remain top of the wishlist. But the finish matters too. RT Edgar director Jeremy Fox said prestige homes that seamlessly blend heritage with high-end modern design were a major drawcard. 'Period homes with timeless architecture that have been brought into the modern era, they really resonate,' Mr Fox said. On the Mornington Peninsula, it's all about scale, views and retreat-style privacy. Buyers in Portsea, Sorrento and Red Hill want vineyard backdrops, sweeping water views and space to unwind — with all the luxuries of a city mansion. Most of the biggest sales aren't public either. Mr Lewenberg said many prestige deals above $10m now happen off-market, between trusted networks, with a recent $33m South Yarra mansion was never listed online. 'They're not just buying a home,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'They're buying time, certainty and status. 'And for that, buyers expect it all, bar, basement, butler's pantry and biometric entry, delivered upfront, no compromises.' Melb's $10m+ Property Buyer Checklist 1. Wellness retreat features – Sauna, steam room, pilates studio, and dedicated wellness zones in the basement. 2. Smart home tech and security – Voice-activated systems, biometric entry, advanced surveillance, and full automation. 3. No reno required – Fully renovated or brand-new builds only. Buyers are paying a premium to avoid permits, tradies, and delays. 4. Trophy garage space – Room for supercar collections, often underground and climate-controlled. 5. Entertainer-grade extras – Bar, butler's pantry, private cinema, lift, pool, and alfresco areas, all delivered upfront, no compromises.
News.com.au
04-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
St Kilda penthouse boasting views of Luna Park sparks overseas interest
One of St Kilda's most breathtaking penthouses has hit the market, with a $4m-$4.4m price guide. Occupying the entire top floor of 30 The Esplanade, the four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence captures sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay, the Palais Theatre, Luna Park and the city skyline. Kay & Burton Stonnington director Darren Lewenberg said the penthouse had interest from both downsizers and buyers across Melbourne, interstate and overseas. 'It's interesting, we've had a lot of inquiry from the mature market, people coming out of large family homes who still want space to entertain and host the family, but in a more manageable setting,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'But it's not just your typical downsizer. 'This home has a presence — it's commanding attention from all over because people recognise how rare it really is.' Designed by award-winning architects SJB, the penthouse was originally conceived as two separate apartments before a visionary former owner amalgamated the third floor and rooftop to create a one-of-a-kind full-floor sky-home. The swanky pad boasts its own rooftop retreat complete with a spa, sauna, outdoor kitchen, daybed, three bar fridges and two alfresco bathrooms. Wide European oak floorboards, Calacatta marble finishes and full-height glazing set a luxurious tone throughout, while the home's scale and flow feel more like a freestanding house than an apartment. The Smeg-appointed kitchen includes a 90cm gas cooktop and integrated Liebherr fridge, anchored by a showstopping marble island and a separate marble breakfast bar. The internal layout includes multiple living and entertaining zones, with a dedicated dining space framed by views of Luna Park and the bay, and a lounge featuring curved custom bookshelves and gallery lighting. The main suite includes walk-in and built-in robes plus a marble-clad ensuite, while two further bedrooms have private ensuites and the fourth is serviced by a central bathroom. Mr Lewenberg said the double-glazed windows and acoustic insulation deliver surprising serenity to buyers despite the home's buzzing Esplanade position. 'You can be standing inside, looking out over the city skyline or watching queues form at the Palais, and yet it's absolutely calm,' he said. 'That combination of visual immersion and acoustic privacy is incredibly rare.' But, the Kay & Burton Stonnington director said it's the rooftop that leaves buyers speechless. 'The lift opens into the private lobby, and straight away you're hit with uninterrupted views across St Kilda and the bay,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'People light up, there's a physical reaction. And then they head upstairs and it all elevates again. 'It's almost spellbinding.' The rooftop zone is fully self-contained, with bathrooms, entertaining infrastructure, lush planters and ambient lighting, and all just steps from the sand. 'This home offers the ultimate balance, you're in the thick of it, but you're also completely cocooned,' he said. 'It's irreplaceable.' Other highlights include zoned heating and cooling, Liebherr wine fridge, powder room, full laundry, video intercom, direct lift access and basement parking for four cars with storage. Expressions of interest close June 11 at 1pm.
Herald Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Inside $18m Toorak mansion with infinity pool, wine cellar, rooftop kitchen and bar
Melbourne's newest luxury home has landed in Toorak with an eye-watering price guide, a rooftop bar with city views, and space for a serious car collection. The newly completed home at 12 Yarradale Rd is in one of the well-heeled suburb's most exclusive cul-de-sacs, and comes with a price guide of $17.5m-$18.5m to match its location. A sculptural spiral staircase, rooftop entertaining terrace with panoramic views, and a glass-walled seven-car garage form just part of the offering. RELATED: Surprise Melbourne suburbs tipped for biggest house price rises in 2030 Penthouse gallery comes to Brighton Victoria's $5.4bn choice: level crossings or 20k homes Residents can also enjoy a cinema, cocktail bar, wine cellar and gym with steam room. Kay & Burton's Darren Lewenberg said Point Property Group and Mazzei Luxury Home Builders were behind the incredible, custom-designed address. 'We've had more than 100 groups through already,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'At this end of the market, that kind of volume tells you something; buyers are looking for the complete package, and this one delivers.' Inside, the main living and dining area is served by a showpiece kitchen featuring a stone island bench, Gaggenau appliances, and a full butler's pantry complete with dual VZug ovens and instant boiling or chilled water tap. The entertainment space flows to an outdoor terrace with built-in kitchen and an infinity-edge pool. Upstairs, the main bedroom is framed by a designer dressing room and marble ensuite with a freestanding bath. Three further bedrooms each have their own ensuites, built-in desks and wardrobes, and access to a central retreat, while a fifth bedroom on the ground floor includes its own private courtyard, ideal for guests and extended family. Downstairs, a subterranean cinema with a velvet sunken lounge sits beside a moody marble wine bar and cellar, while the seven-car garage is set up to feel more like a private showroom, visible from the adjoining gym and wellness space. But it's the rooftop level that has caught the most attention from buyers, complete with its own full kitchen, marble bar and barbecue, and sweeping Melbourne CBD views. 'It's very rare to see rooftop entertaining executed at this level, particularly in Toorak,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'There's proper integration between indoor and outdoor zones, and you've got full lift access, so it's functional for everyone.' Mr Lewenberg added that the floorplan had struck a chord with buyers seeking luxury without compromising on liveability. 'It's not just a showpiece,' he said. 'The home's been designed for real families — with zoning, light, storage and scale in all the right places. 'It works just as well for entertaining as it does for day-to-day living.' Additional features include smart-home automation, in-slab hydronic heating, CCTV security, and sheer curtains throughout, with lighting and high-end furnishings also available by separate negotiation. Expressions of interest close at 1pm, May 27. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: PropTrack: See what your suburb will be worth in 2030 Banks in rate cut war to woo borrowers ahead of RBA meeting Melbourne housing affordability crisis prices families out of their own suburbs
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Inside $18m Toorak mansion with infinity pool, wine cellar, rooftop kitchen and bar
Melbourne's newest luxury home has landed in Toorak with an eye-watering price guide, a rooftop bar with city views, and space for a serious car collection. The newly completed home at 12 Yarradale Rd is in one of the well-heeled suburb's most exclusive cul-de-sacs, and comes with a price guide of $17.5m-$18.5m to match its location. A sculptural spiral staircase, rooftop entertaining terrace with panoramic views, and a glass-walled seven-car garage form just part of the offering. Residents can also enjoy a cinema, cocktail bar, wine cellar and gym with steam room. Kay & Burton's Darren Lewenberg said Point Property Group and Mazzei Luxury Home Builders were behind the incredible, custom-designed address. 'We've had more than 100 groups through already,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'At this end of the market, that kind of volume tells you something; buyers are looking for the complete package, and this one delivers.' Inside, the main living and dining area is served by a showpiece kitchen featuring a stone island bench, Gaggenau appliances, and a full butler's pantry complete with dual VZug ovens and instant boiling or chilled water tap. The entertainment space flows to an outdoor terrace with built-in kitchen and an infinity-edge pool. Upstairs, the main bedroom is framed by a designer dressing room and marble ensuite with a freestanding bath. Three further bedrooms each have their own ensuites, built-in desks and wardrobes, and access to a central retreat, while a fifth bedroom on the ground floor includes its own private courtyard, ideal for guests and extended family. Downstairs, a subterranean cinema with a velvet sunken lounge sits beside a moody marble wine bar and cellar, while the seven-car garage is set up to feel more like a private showroom, visible from the adjoining gym and wellness space. But it's the rooftop level that has caught the most attention from buyers, complete with its own full kitchen, marble bar and barbecue, and sweeping Melbourne CBD views. 'It's very rare to see rooftop entertaining executed at this level, particularly in Toorak,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'There's proper integration between indoor and outdoor zones, and you've got full lift access, so it's functional for everyone.' Mr Lewenberg added that the floorplan had struck a chord with buyers seeking luxury without compromising on liveability. 'It's not just a showpiece,' he said. 'The home's been designed for real families — with zoning, light, storage and scale in all the right places. 'It works just as well for entertaining as it does for day-to-day living.' Additional features include smart-home automation, in-slab hydronic heating, CCTV security, and sheer curtains throughout, with lighting and high-end furnishings also available by separate negotiation. Expressions of interest close at 1pm, May 27.
