Latest news with #Toorak
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
The Block stars share game-changing renovations tips to add value to Aussie homes
If your renovation dreams begin with a Pinterest board and end with a budget blowout, you're not alone. Australia's top home experts say too many would-be renovators are skipping the fundamentals, and ending up with houses that look great in photos but fail to deliver where it counts. Whitefox founder and The Block judge Marty Fox said the homes people fall in love with are never the flashiest. Why The Block architect says beige is over 'They're the ones where nothing feels forced, just smart, beautiful spaces that feel effortless to live in,' Mr Fox said. Mr Fox and his wife Charlotte recently transformed a forgotten Toorak house into a breathtaking family sanctuary, complete with slab marble bathrooms, a backyard pickleball court, and designer finishes sourced from Europe. But Mr Fox said it's not about throwing money at a problem, it's about vision, planning and understanding how design choices shape real life. 'You can spend millions and still get it wrong,' he said. 'What makes a home sing is when it reflects your lifestyle, where every detail has purpose. 'Not just what's trending.' That same message is echoed by The Block's resident architect Julian Brenchley, who has spent more than a decade watching contestants battle budgets, briefings and breakdowns under national scrutiny. 'Design isn't decoration,' Mr Brenchley said. 'It's problem-solving.' Mr Brenchley warns that many renovators rush toward open-plan layouts without truly understanding how to zone space for function, acoustics or family life. 'Everyone wants big and open, but with no structure it just becomes an echo chamber,' he said. 'You need flow, you need quiet areas, you need smart storage.' And while bold facades and glossy finishes once dominated display homes, The Block architect believes people are moving away from trying to impress. 'Buyers don't want trophy homes, they want liveable ones,' Mr Brenchley said. 'People are moving away from trying to impress, less facade, more feeling that's the future.' That's the design philosophy embraced by The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio, who said the biggest shift they've noticed post-show is emotional design. 'Great design slows you down,' Ms Ottavio said. 'It makes you breathe deeper when you walk through the door.' The couple recently completed a Japandi-style design for James Hardie, a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian principles, favouring clean lines, warm timber, earthy tones and layered textures. 'It's not just a trend,' Mr Gian said. 'We design for how a home feels, at 7am when you're rushing out the door, or when you collapse onto the couch after a long day.' And Ms Ottavio said the days of designing for resale are fading fast. 'Buyers can smell inauthenticity,' she added. 'You can walk into a house that's had 200k thrown at it and still feel nothing. 'But give me a home where the spaces are well-planned and thoughtful, and I'll take that every time.' Mr Fox, who's sold some of Melbourne's priciest real estate, agrees that emotional pull is everything. 'You want buyers to walk in and picture their kids playing in the backyard, not wondering how long the floors will last,' he said. 'At the top end, people want turnkey — but more than that, they want soul.' The Block judge said he's also big on quality over quantity. 'Don't waste money on trendy tiles you'll hate in six months,' Mr Fox said. 'Spend where it counts, good stone, beautiful lighting, tapware that feels solid in your hand.' So what's the golden rule when planning your dream reno? For Mr Fox, the answer is simple. 'A home is about memory-making,' he said. 'Get the fundamentals right, and the magic follows.' The Block stars top 5 reno tips 1. Don't follow trends Whitefox founder and The Block judge Marty Fox said fads fade fast. Use natural materials, classic finishes, and design choices that will still look good in 10 years. 2. Prioritise flow and function over fancy facades The Block architect Julian Brenchley warns against 'facade obsession.' Focus on how your home feels and functions day to day, not just how it looks on Instagram. 3. Plan every detail, especially the basics Know your marbles, timbers, lighting, and layouts. According to Mr Fox, great renovations hinge on understanding materiality and making intentional choices early. 4. Design for emotion, not just aesthetics The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio recommend designing for how a home makes you feel, from 7am grogginess to post-work recharge, not just its visual appeal. 5. Think lifestyle, not just location. The right home isn't just where it is, it's how you live in it.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
G-Wagon goes electric and it's fiercer than ever
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the most iconic cars on the planet. So iconic that most Aussies simply call it the 'G-Wagon'. The 'G' stands for Gelandewagen, which translates from German to 'cross-country vehicle'. It was developed in the 1970s for its military use, but has driven from the battlefield to the boulevard, becoming a must-have for hip hop royalty, Hollywood elites, Toorak mums and Bondi entrepreneurs. It's big, boxy, and cherishes its legacy. A fashion statement, more than a four-wheel drive. Now, in true sustainable style, you can opt for electric power in – the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ technology. There are plenty of misconceptions around electric vehicles. The generalisations include that they're dull and have no grunt. But the G 580 proves those assumptions wrong in the most stylish way. I've seen what this EV can do and let me tell you, this is not your average EV. I've watched it scale boulders, pirouette in the dirt, and plough through rivers. Fun fact: It actually has more off-roading capability than the V8-powered G 63 AMG model. Built on a traditional ladder-frame chassis with independent front suspension and a solid rear axle, the G 580 offers 432kW and 1164Nm or torque from four electric motors, one at each wheel. An 'off-road cockpit' displays all the relevant functions, including tyre pressure, inclination, compass and torque to wheel. The G 580 features new technology such as G-Steering, which helps reduce the turning circle by overdriving one side of the car, and G-Turn which lets you spin 360 degrees on the spot. One of the standout features is its 'transparent bonnet' – a clever camera system that uses views from the front and side mirror to give drivers a virtual image of what's beneath the front of the car. Displayed on the central screen, it's a unique piece of technology that helps in navigating steep trails, rocky terrain or hidden obstacles, which you wouldn't normally see from behind the wheel. It can wade through 850mm of water, 150mm more than the G 63. Underneath the battery is protected by a 26mm-thick casing made from 'top secret' materials, including carbon fibre. Strangely for an off-roader, the G 580 doesn't come with a spare tyre. That classic box on the back door? It's a fake, there to store charging cables, not a spare wheel. But you can swap it out for a spare wheel at no extra cost. Unfortunately, there's no space under the frunk but sufficient space in the boot (620L). But let's be honest, how many G Wagon owners are taking this off-road? At $249,900 for the base or $299,900 for the Edition One, it's more likely to be used for school drops, brunch runs or parked in high-end driveways. Still, if you ever did need to cross the Simpson Desert or scale a rock wall, you know you could. It's also not slow for a large SUV, with a 0-100km/h of just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 180km/h. Driving this EV was such an experience and as someone who loves SUVs, the G 580 certainly shines just as bright as the combustion variant. Underneath the iconic silhouette is a 116kW battery good for 567km of range (NEDC) plus 200kW DC fast charging that gets you from 10-80 per cent in just 32 minutes. Inside, it's luxurious. Nappa leather, Burmester 3D sound, heated and cooled cup holders and the MBUX digital cockpit. The Edition One steps it up a notch with standard 20-inch black alloy wheels, tinted lights, black exterior mirrors, carbon trim and blue contrast stitching. A range of optional packages lets you customer the G 580 to suit your style. But here's the best part, the G 580 might actually appeal to those who have always dreamt of owning a G-Wagon but couldn't justify the cost. The G 580 is not only more affordable in terms of price but will also save owners in terms of fuel costs. I think this could genuinely be perfect for inner-city parents, modern moguls or the urban adventurers who want something strong but sustainable. It's still the iconic G-Wagon, just evolved.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Myer family reveal ritzy new look for Toorak estate aiming to be Melbourne's second $100m home
The Myer family's sprawling, $100m Toorak estate Cranlana has been green-lit for an incredible renovation that could transform it into Melbourne's most prestigious home. The 62 Clendon Rd property is now approved for a new pool with a neighbouring wellness centre, several outbuildings an interior redesign and a striking tennis court zone in its expansive gardens. It remains the city's most expensive active property listing, after hitting the market in spring last year with a $96m-$105m asking price. RELATED: Arrotex pharma boss billionaire Dennis Bastas firming as $100m+ Toorak buyer Myer family: First look inside Toorak's Cranlana estate being sold by retail empire founders Toorak's $50m Besen estate quietly sold off in one of 2025's biggest deals That sum has subsequently been trumped by the more than $100m sale of nearby mansion Coonac, by former Essendon Football Club president Paul Little and his Melbourne University chancellor wife Jane Hansen. But Myer Family Investments have now revealed plans for a Heritage Victoria-approved overhaul to the 1.14ha landmark they are understood to have been seeking since prior to it being offered for sale. An initial deadline for buyers interested in the home was set for November 11 in 2024, but Toorak locals and industry sources had indicated there were question marks over how feasible a renovation would be at the heritage listed property. The release of a selection of renders, and details that include a new pool, a 20-car basement garage and modernised living spaces within the home surprised many of these parties. The home is approved for a new pool with an accompanying wellness centre in its expansive gardens. The impressive residence and gardens as they are today. The property is being sold by Myer Family Investments (MFI), whose chairman is Rupert Myer. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui. Marshall White listing agent Marcus Chiminello would not discuss prospective buyers' views on the home, but said the new imagery showed what could be achieved. 'The approved plans would transform it into one of Melbourne's most impressive residences,' Mr Chiminello said. 'And it could be done in a pretty short timeline.' Cranlana has been owned by the Myer family since Sidney Myer and wife Merlyn bought it in 1903. It's Italianate style has been celebrated as a part of Toorak's heritage, while its grounds and the home itself have been used to host philanthropic and family events. He added that strong transactions continued in Toorak, with the right homes still attracting strong offers — while noting that $100m was now seen as the top end of the city's housing market. A more modern interior could now be established for the home by its next owners. Renders show that while the home is slated for a potential update, it would still retain much of its period charm and character. 'There are now probably a handful of properties worth these figures, but it's just whether they will ever come up for sale,' Mr Chiminello said. The agent said that there would be a six week window of high activity in Melbourne's most illustrious suburbs following the federal election, with about three more weeks still to go. Sales records show Mr Chiminello has had a bumper May, selling the Robertson St, Toorak, home of landscape architect to Melbourne's elite Jack Merlo on May 20. The home had been listed for $16m-$17m. He has also sold luxury homes in Armadale and a penthouse in Toorak since the federal election. Meanwhile there has been a $50m sale of the family home of the late Marc and Eva Besen, who established one of the city's wealthiest families with children including Sussan fashion label boss Daniel Besen. A redesign would look to enhance the home's sense of space and use of natural light. The 62 Clendon Rd, Toorak, property offers plenty of space as it stands. It is understood the home was sold by Kay & Burton's Ross Savas and Nick Kenyon, who also handled the $100m-plus sale of Coonac for Mr Little and Ms Hansen. Michael Gibson has also recently sold 17 Linlithgow Rd, Toorak, above expectations in a boardroom auction. Industry sources have indicated that the home sold for $12.61m, well above the $9.6m-$10.2m that had been listed as part of its expressions of interest. Mr Gibson confirmed the home had six parties attend a private auction on Tuesday, May 20, and that it was on the market at $10m . It was the second this month that they had taken to a private auction for more than $10m. 'The depth of that segment in the market is incredibly strong ... it has never been stronger,' Mr Gibson said. 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: Must-know home design transforming Australian suburbs, killing off beige box builds Landscape architect and gardener Jack Merlo moving into fourth Toorak mansion in five years HIA: Australia forecast to miss 1.2 million new homes construction target Originally published as Myer family reveal ritzy new look for Toorak estate aiming to be Melbourne's second $100m home
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Toorak's $50m Besen estate quietly sold off in one of 2025's biggest deals
One of Australia's richest families has just pulled off a $50m power move, selling the late Toorak mansion of the late Marc and Eva Besen. The sprawling Lansell Rd estate has changed hands in an off-market deal tipped to be one of Melbourne's biggest residential transactions of 2025. Property documents confirm the Besen's four adult children, billionaire Daniel Besen, Sussan boss Naomi Milgrom, philanthropist Carol Schwartz and Besen Family Foundation chief executive Deborah Dadon owned the property. Private slice of country paradise up for grabs A well-placed source said the residence was a longstanding family base, steeped in private gatherings, philanthropic vision and commercial strategy although the buyer's identity remains a closely-guarded secret. 'In Toorak, this is as close as it gets to royalty changing address,' the source said. 'The Besens helped shape Melbourne through fashion, retail and philanthropy, selling the family home quietly like this is the end of a major chapter.' Holocaust survivor Marc Besen, who passed away in 2023 aged 99, rose from wartime displacement to become a titan of Australian retail, steering the growth of Sussan with his brother-in-law John Gandel. The pair later expanded into Suzanne Grae and Sportsgirl, while also snapping up Melbourne shopping centres like Highpoint, and Box Hill Central (formerly Whitehorse Plaza). The family's final stake in Highpoint was sold to The GPT Group for $680m in 2017. Dr and Mrs Besen legacy was also defined by their philanthropy, donating of tens of millions to institutions including the NGV, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, the Australian Ballet, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Mount Scopus College, where the Besen Family Performing Arts Centre in Burwood still bears their name. Prestige agents, Kay & Burton Stonnington's Ross Savas and Nick Kenyon were widely tipped to have handled the transaction. Both declined to comment. Industry Insider Property Toorak director Andrew Date, a prestige buyers agent, said the deal followed a familiar script for Toorak's ultra-prestige market. 'Off-market sales like this are all about discretion,' Mr Date said. 'Once you're operating in the $20m to $100m space, it's not about open homes, it's about legacy, trust and relationships. 'These families don't want media, they want privacy and control.' The $50m sale is Melbourne's second-priciest residential deal of the year, behind only the $100m-plus acquisition of 'Coonac', the neighbouring Clendon Rd mansion formerly owned by Toll boss Paul Little and wife Jane Hansen, now in the hands of pharmaceutical magnate Dennis Bastas.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Block star Marty Fox bares all in cheeky ad listing his lavish Toorak home on the market for $13m
The Block judge Marty Fox has listed his luxury Toorak home with a $13 million price tag - and promoted it with a very cheeky social media post. The reality TV star posted a snap to social media earlier this week in which he bared his backside, using the stripped-back image to highlight the home's seclusion in one of Melbourne 's wealthiest suburbs. 'You can walk out into the yard here and you are in the middle of the best urban postcode Australia has to offer,' the post read. 'Yet, not a single person can look at you if you decide to walk the entire property from front to back in the nude. 'Selling the dream. One cheek at a time.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The amusing post has since gone viral, putting extra attention on the stunning estate, which comes with a price guide of $12 million to $13 million. It comes after Marty and his wife Charlotte listed their Toorak home on the market, just four years after purchasing it. The couple bought the lavish 1890-built property for $7.2 million in 2021, and conducted extensive renovations before moving in. The pair made sure to keep the home's historic charm while adding contemporary luxury and amenities. 'It's the largest landholding between Hawksburn and Toorak Villages,' Marty told 'We bought it on a six-month settlement and actually renovated it before moving into it.' The renovation was completed in a rapid four months while Charlotte was pregnant with their third child. The decision to sell came as a surprise to many as they previously described the property as their 'forever home'. The property also boasts an outdoor oasis complete with a pool, gym, sauna and a unique addition - a pickleball court - made possible through strategic negotiations with neighbouring property owners The renovation was done in collaboration with Castley McCrimmon Architects and Dome Building. The couple enhanced the home's period details with additions like bi-folds, period French windows and custom skylights. Stylish features also include chevron floors, ornate fireplaces and a pristine kitchen adorned with marble accents and brass hardware. The property also boasts an outdoor oasis complete with a pool, gym, sauna and a unique addition - a pickleball court - made possible through strategic negotiations with neighbouring property owners. 'Our business is growing, and we're travelling a lot,' Marty explained of their decision to sell. 'We feel that our dream is to be able to have a home in Queenstown, New Zealand, a home on the Gold Coast – which we now have – and a smaller home in Melbourne.' Expressions of interest remain open until June 24. Marty is the chief executive of WHITE FOX Real Estate, which he co-founded with his wife. He first appeared on the 2023 season of The Block as a semi-regular judge and returned for the following season.
