The Shrublands mansion at 16 Balwyn Rd, Canterbury, is for sale for the fourth time in as many years.
Melbourne businessman Ali Ali is making a fourth attempt to sell the Shrublands mansion and estate, after a $6m price cut.
A low-key, but successful company director, Mr Ali made headlines when he bought the historic residence at 16 Balwyn Rd, Canterbury, for the then suburb record of $29m in 2021.
He’s since put it back onto the market in 2022, 2023 and again last year, with a neighbouring property included in the listing for a combined $48.8m.
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The 6500sq m property with 10 bedrooms and even more bathrooms returned to online listings via Marshall White top-end specialist Marcus Chiminello on Tuesday this week.
It is now priced at $31m-$34m — about $6m below what it was listed for in 2023, without the neighbouring address.
The 1863-built property is being marketed as one of Australia’s finest homes, and is surrounded by manicured gardens, a tennis court, water fountain, a pool set into its own pavilion and a caretaker’s apartment.
Old-world charm includes timber and marble highlights at eye-level, with ornate ceilings and chandeliers above.
The pool comes in its own pavillion that adjoins the caretaker’s residence.
A moody basement blends exposed brickwork with Hollywood glitz and glamour.
The mansion also has sheltered parking for 10 cars, and a sprawling three-level floorplan with a dizzying array of features.
In the basement there is a billiards room, wine cellar, gym and home cinema — with black and white photography from old movies, and a shot of Marilyn Monroe, adorning the exposed brick walls.
The ground level hosts formal dining room with its own butler’s pantry, living and sitting rooms, a family room, central kitchen with its own walk-in pantry, and a grand dining hall that opens to a heated courtyard and to a further living room with its own commercial kitchen.
A tennis court is set alongside a mature hedgeline that provides privacy.
The expansive property is one of the biggest in the area, as well as the most expensive yet sold in the suburb.
Impressive ceilings, chandeliers and an ornate mantle piece around the open fireplace give an idea of how the dining room would have looked in the mansion’s early days.
A home office, and a boardroom wrap up the floor where rooms are adorned with gilt ceiling ornamentation and chandeliers.
Upstairs, a there are five bedrooms, most with ensuites or walk-in wardrobes, complemented by a library, another living area, and a balcony.
There’s also a guest wing with its own lobby, a further two bedrooms to either side of an additional living zone, two more bathrooms and a sauna.
And, with two staircases to access it, a further sprawling main suite comes with its own sitting room, living area, dining zone, dressing room, bathroom and a massage room.
The home’s expansive gardens have been meticulously tended.
A commercial kitchen with bar seating helps brings serious entertainer’s flair to one of the key living areas.
Extensive carparking features at the luxurious home.
As the listing puts it: “very few original mansions of this calibre still exist in Australia”.
Mr Chiminello has the home listed for private inspection.
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