A glimpse into Toorak’s opulent $15m+ French chateau-style estate
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In the heart of Melbourne’s prestigious Toorak neighbourhood, a property that could easily be mistaken for a grand French chateau has recently hit the market, with a price tag between $15 million and $16.5 million. This opulent estate at 1 Greenknowe Court is a tribute to classical 19th-century French design, meticulously crafted to blend European elegance with modern luxury.
The 870-square-metre property boasts features reminiscent of a grand French manor, from hand-picked chandeliers to parterre gardens designed by the acclaimed landscape designer Paul Bangay. The three-bedroom residence is not merely an architectural marvel; it is a labour of love for its owners, who embarked on a journey to France with interior decorator John Coote to source era-appropriate features and fittings.
Marshall White director Marcus Chiminello, who has the listing alongside colleagues Nicole French and Mandy Zhu, noted the immediate interest the property has garnered. “A buyer is planning to fly in from Sydney to inspect this week,” Mr Chiminello revealed, highlighting the estate’s appeal beyond Victoria.
The property’s current owners, who previously resided nearby, purchased the address in 1996 with the vision of creating a French-inspired abode to downsize into. They moved into the completed home between 1999 and 2000. The project was brought to life by Prahran-based architect Robert Mills, with antique curator Graham Geddes contributing his expertise.
Stepping into the house, one is transported into a realm of elegance akin to a French chateau. “While Melbourne is home to many French-style houses, No. 1 Greenknowe Court has been done with absolute care and authenticity,” Mr Chiminello said. “The owners loved France and had a real passion for it – it was a real passion project.”
The residence, located in a cul-de-sac off St Georges Road, features a triple-brick facade, wide hallways, and marble fireplaces. It offers both formal and informal living spaces, with a kitchen fitted with Miele appliances and a granite-topped island bench. An open-plan living and dining zone, warmed by a sandstone fireplace, opens through multiple French doors to a north-facing paved courtyard, complete with sculpted hedges and high walls.
The main bedroom suite is a sanctuary in itself, offering a vine-draped terrace, dressing room, and marble-fitted bathroom. A second bedroom features an ensuite, walk-in wardrobes, and a linen cupboard. The study and library, with custom-made shelving, a marble fireplace, and patterned carpet, add to the home’s charm.
One of the standout features of the property is the six-car garage, accessible by a lift. “I would describe the house as a very luxurious, sophisticated, and considered home that has been flawlessly executed,” Mr Chiminello said. He further emphasised the home’s balance of opulence and practicality, adding, “It’s not just all show and no go, it is very well put together.”
The cost of replicating such a build today would be astronomical. “If someone was to try and replicate some of the qualities of the build today, you would barely have change from $7 million,” Mr Chiminello estimated, noting that this figure does not include the land itself, which was purchased for $1.2 million in 1996.
As Melbourne’s top-end property market gears up for a busy spring, Mr Chiminello anticipates heightened demand. “It’s very quiet on an inventory front, which I think will only fuel demand,” he said.
Expressions of interest for this remarkable estate close at 3 pm on September 1, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of European-inspired luxury in one of Australia’s most sought-after suburbs.