Part of the family behind Tobin Brothers Funerals are preparing to farewell a much-loved beach house in Sorrento, including a glass-walled lift with bay views.
Michael and Libby Tobin’s 215A Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, getaway comes with a glass-walled lift with a view to the bay.
Michael Tobin, the son of Thomas Tobin who was among the four brothers who founded the business, and his wife Libby have owned the 215A Ocean Beach Rd home since 1995.
But after 30 years of family holidays and memories, not to mention substantial renovations in which they “virtually rebuilt the property”, they believe it’s time for a new family to take up residence.
After an initial rebuild in the early 2000s, they added a fifth bedroom and the home’s glass-walled lift about five years ago.
The end result is a home that’s “a bit of an upside-down house”, with a superlative open-plan living area with a bar, as well as the kitchen and meals area, opening to outdoor entertainment space on the top floor. It’s a smart design consideration that means impressive views are on show where residents spend most of their time.
While the main bedroom is also upstairs, the remaining four, two with ensuites, and a rumpus room are at ground level — along with a four-car garage.
The view from the upper level captures a mix of tree-tops and blue water.
With most of the living areas upstairs the design is a bit “upside down”, but provides the best views where residents spend the most time.
Other features include a water bore to keep the garden lush, mounted TV screens that will remain with the home, a sound system that pipes music into various rooms, and a double-door leading to a below-house storage space big enough for a small boat or some jet skis.
In their early days at the home the neighbourhood was filled with restaurants and cafes, these days there are more boutiques and specialty stores — potentially a better fit for a young family.
“When we bought it the location was perfect, on Ocean Beach Road, being between the front and back beach and walking distance to either,” Mr Tobin said.
It still is.
Tobin Brothers now counts themselves as Australia’s largest, independent family business and Michael, who remains on the board, has worked in it for 50 years — including time as the chairman.
Multiple living zones include a dining room with room for plenty of family and friends.
A cosy lounge area on the lower level provides space to relax.
With the third and fourth generation of the family now working in the firm, Mr Tobin regards one of the companies greatest successes as the senior staff who are not a part of the family, but have made the business their career over a span of decades — including their general manager and managing director.
He’s taking a similar view to the Sorrento sale, with the hope that a family much like them thirty years ago will see it and want to spend the next few decades making the most of what it has to offer.
Multiple balcony and terrace areas provide ample space to enjoy the views.
An enviable kitchen has space to cater to a crowd.
“We have said our goodbye to it, in many ways,” Mr Tobin said.
The pair are in the process of finalising a new weekend getaway in Mt Martha.
Kay & Burton Portsea’s Liz Jensen is representing the owners and said while they had maintained it fastidiously as a getaway spot, the township was increasingly in demand for permanent family homes to a growing list of locals.
With a five-bedroom floorplan, a location walking distance to both the front and back beaches, as well as shops and schools, Ms Jensen is tipping it will be a family who wants to be there year-round.
“And it’s built for that, in scale and size and zoning and separation,” she said.
Built-in bookshelves give the home office a sense of gravitas.
A bar in one of the living areas offers a more casual space to entertain from.
Ms Jensen noted the four-car garage, and the glass-walled lift that might be the only one with a bay view on the Mornington Peninsula, had been talking points for interested parties so far.
“You can see the cables, and it’s the only lift I’m not claustrophobic in, because you can see everything,” she said.
“And the only other time I have seen that was a luxury hotel in Dubai.”
The quiet location at the bottom of a battle-axe block is another nod in its favour, ensuring it remains peaceful and private, Ms Jensen 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: Victorian home sellers forced to disclose sale price in underquoting crackdown
Allan govt home inspection plan sparks fears of loopholes, rebates
English (US) · 