Fuel king Avi Silver offloads luxury Mornington Peninsula home

1 week ago 6
Alesha Capone

Herald Sun

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The Merricks North house owned by United Petroleum co-founder Avi Silver has sold.


Fuel billionaire Avi Silver has sold his cantilevered Mornington Peninsula property for a figure close to $7m, less than a fortnight after listing it.

With fellow United Petroleum co-founder Eddie Hirsch, Mr Silver operates an Australian service station empire of more than 500 petrol outlets.

Together, the pair are worth an combined $4.03bn, and were named number 39 and 40 respectively on the list of Australia’s richest people published by The Australian newspaper in March 2026.

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Their interests outside of petrol include Queensland’s Brampton Island resort project and a Victorian thoroughbred racehorse breeding and training complex.

In March, Mr Silver listed his Merricks North house with a $6.95m price tag.

The home, featuring a 20m-long infinity-edged swimming pool running underneath it, sold within roughly 10 days.

This was much earlier than the abode’s expressions of interest campaign was due to end on April 28.

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An infinity-edged swimming pool runs below the house.


The parents’ retreat is warmed by a Jetmaster fireplace.


RT Edgar’s Michael Ebeling declined to comment on the sold price, but industry insiders indicated the residence changed hands for a sum close to the asking price.

“We had a few inquiries from interstate and some from people on the Peninsula looking for a more modern property on a smaller land holding,” Mr Ebeling said.

This included calls from NSW- and Queensland-based buyers.

Mr Ebeling described 10 days as a “pretty good” time frame in which to sell a Mornington Peninsula house with some homes in the area taking six to 12 months to find a new owner.

This was usually because they were older residences in need of renovating and the cost of building materials has risen substantially since the Covid pandemic, he added.

There’s views across the surrounding green fields and farms.


155 Bittern Dromana Rd, Merricks North - FOR HERALD SUN REAL ESTATE. NOTE - DO NOT PUBLISH STREET ADDRESS

The house was originally constructed by local builder Neil Williams & Sons who sold it in 2020.


“Buyers are looking for something turnkey that is ready to move into and very private,” the agent said.

“Many people want a property on the Peninsula which they can work from two to three days a week and if they need to, can travel to Melbourne or interstate from.”

Mr Ebeling noted the Merricks North house offered a private location and rural-esque of the surrounding farms, including a neighbouring farm’s llamas.

The six-bedroom home showcases rammed earth walls, five bathrooms, a study and three-car garage.

Outdoors, there’s a pool house with a kitchenette and powder room, and an entertainers’ area with a barbecue.

155 Bittern Dromana Rd, Merricks North - FOR HERALD SUN REAL ESTATE. NOTE - DO NOT PUBLISH STREET ADDRESS

Rammed earth feature walls, bespoke pendant lights and a kitchen with a butler’s pantry also feature.


Ari Mervis

Eddie Hirsch and Avi Silver (pictured) started operating service stations in Victoria during the 1980s. Picture: David Geraght/The Australian.


Mr Ebeling said the house’s architectural credentials including the 32-tonne steel frame, large windows letting in plenty of sunshine and matt black zinc cladding had impressed buyers as well.

He said that some properties at the market’s upper end were selling well at the moment including his other recent listings of a three-bedroom house at 34 Cloverdale Ave, Toorak, and a Victorian-era house at 52 Power St, Hawthorn.

The homes were listed with a $4.3m-$4.5m range and a $4.5m-$4.95m range, respectively.

Industry sources indicated they both sold at their ranges’ upper end.


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