The envy of Hawthorn: One of the great dames of Harcourt Street is up for sale
If you know about the great houses of Melbourne, then you will know about Harcourt Street. On this storied Hawthorn boulevard, under tree canopies that meet mid-road, is one of the greatest concentrations of manor houses and their park-like grounds in all of town. The man known as “Hawthorn’s architect”, John Beswicke, was responsible for a good many of them.
Rolling up through the splendid green of 7 Harcourt Street is a rare delight. On this late winter’s day, the sky pitched a brilliant blue backdrop, throwing the spectacular Italianate Victorian facade of Beswicke’s Lexington into glorious, glowing relief.
These are the kinds of houses that command a pause. It’s impossible to plunge in and race through – the very nature of both the home and garden architecture renders speed redundant. Languidly is the only way to go.
Once you gain the elevated verandah here, turn on your heel and see that glorious garden framed by the array of arches folding across the exterior, and sigh.
Standing in the entry and looking down the central passage, rich interiors frank the promise of those first grand impressions: gilded, glorious, a window to another era.
Arches abound here, too, curving above columns and defining space. Underfoot, the floral carpet is restrained perfection and runs west into the fine, large study. It’s a primer for the beautiful restoration work done throughout the house, faithfully recreating the tones and tenor of times past.
Deep timber skirting boards ring the room. Above, a wallpapered frieze reflects the understated carpet pattern. A big bay window and soberly handsome grey marble fireplace are the classic big-ticket items here.
Even though the study and hallway are impressive introductions, not much can prepare you for the sumptuous sight of the two formal rooms across the hall.
The formal living room can be accessed from the outside via steps up to a French door side entry, but even windows full of a superbly green garden can’t quite pull focus from this opulent fitout.
Contrast painting on cornicing, walls and rails is regally russet, gold and resplendent, giving the deep, burnished timber hearth and splendid side cabinetry a suitably stately frame.
On the east wall, a heartbreakingly gorgeous window seat sits under a similarly divine bank of diamond leadlight windows.
Behind, the grand dining room’s exquisite timber fretwork frames the broad side window. A timber and tile fireplace is a decorative delight. The exceptional frieze-work adds to the atmosphere in a room where a 12-seat dining table sits easily in the lavish space.
Come back out into the hallway and head beyond the largest arch. This leads to a stately staircase and a sweet library with perfectly cosy dimensions, floral wallpaper and a magnificent marble fireplace. Behind here is also an ample home cinema space.
Pass by the lift, back stairs and bathroom and arrive at the contemporary, north-facing open-plan rear.
Glazed on three sides with French-door access to the wraparound garden, this is an expansive, airy and attractive family space.
Glowing timber floors flow from the west side’s living room – which boasts its own marble fireplace – past a meals section to the stylish kitchen. Grey marble benches and broad splashback are trimmed in timber cabinetry to create a modish-looking affair. Storage options and a quality appliance array can be found both here and behind in the generous butler’s pantry.
Step outside one of the five sets of French doors and into the outstanding entertaining area. Depending on your mood, you can sit under the fabulous vine-covered arbour with the barbecue fired up and a beverage in hand, or round the corner and play a set or two of tennis.
The north-south court sits in fine garden surrounds and comes complete with floodlights for the grudge matches that go on to the fifth.
Come around to the north-eastern side, and there’s a studio apartment with a marble trim kitchenette and a smooth bathroom. Then the garden takes off again past the garage and back down to its botanical beginnings.
Back inside, the epic space continues upstairs. To the northerly rear are storage/ante rooms as well as the laundry and a clever outdoor drying deck. Two bathrooms service the four bedrooms up here – all of good dimension and character – including one at the front that has an exquisite marble fireplace and access to a deeply beautiful balcony.
Across the way, the main bedroom has yet another marble fireplace, leadlighting and a long, walk-in wardrobe that leads to the stylish marble en suite. A pair of large, lovely windows looks out onto the balcony, its arches sweeping across to majestically frame the vast parkland in front. A central hallway door with a sublime curved timber frame opens out and into this rarefied air.
We depart in the same fashion as we arrived – slowly, with time to take it all in. These august manors justly command that kind of unhurried, appreciative farewell.
Need to know
A Rick Eckersley-designed garden brings a contemporary edge. It complements the formal front garden’s broad lawned areas and mature trees with island planting pockets that soften the scale, bring colour and create delineation. The home also sits close to several of Melbourne’s most well-regarded private schools.
What the agent says
“Homes of this calibre are exceptionally rare. The scale and architectural pedigree of its 19th-century grandeur, fused with uncompromised contemporary luxury, speaks to a level of prestige and refinement seldom offered.” Stuart Evans, Marshall White
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