Toorak Gardens estate hits the market for $8 million
This turn-of-the-century villa in prestigious Toorak Gardens features a spectacular modern renovation and boasts a lawn tennis court, heated swimming pool and underground garage.
The renovated lifestyle property is on the market with a price guide of $7.5 to $8 million.
Sitting on a large estate of 1829 square metres, the villa includes five bedrooms, three bathrooms and space for up to three cars.
Current owners Jo and Dan purchased the home in 2014 after being drawn to the location for its proximity to sought-after schools, shopping areas and Adelaide CBD.
“Toorak Gardens is a beautiful suburb; to be able to pick up a house there was fantastic,” says Jo.
“It has created such ease with going to work, Norwood, Burnside Village, and just walking where we need to go,” says Jo.
Jo says that when the family moved into the home, there was a large, visually unappealing deck at the back of the house, which was open to the elements.
She says the kitchen, dining and lounge area were very small, while two formal rooms at the front were underutilised.
Jo, Dan and their three boys lived in the house as it was for about five years while they got a sense of the place.
“Once we knew what we loved about it, we started the renovation process and removed the deck,” says Jo.
You might like
The couple enlisted Dan Ferrone of Ferrone Architects to complete their ambitious, award-winning renovations, which include the underground garage, mudroom and wine cellar – a true feat of engineering.
This meant they didn’t lose any space when building their renovations, and even gained an extra bedroom.
“We started with digging down and creating this crazy garage under the house at the back where the deck used to be, and then above that is our beautiful huge lounge, family and party room,” says Jo.
The couple embraced the challenge of building on to the existing sandstone home.
“It was about 18 months of planning and designing, and then another year before we got approval from Burnside Council. I think it took 19 months to build, and there was a lot of fun along the way,” she says.
A central atrium features a large skylight, bringing in abundant natural light, while thick glass windows and sliding doors from Aborcrest provide noise insulation and protection from the elements.
“You want to be able to get to your garage from inside the house, and so that’s where the central atrium and, of course, the huge skylight came into play, which means you don’t have to put the lights on during the day.”
The renovations also involved knocking through the walls of the middle room to create a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite for the master bedroom, while two extra bedrooms were included in the new build.
For the interiors, the couple enlisted Adele Clark for the technical details, such as how to best utilise space for the walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, while Jo took charge of choosing the colour palette.
“I need a warm cosy home because when you’ve got a house that big, it’s very easy to make it cold,” says Jo.
Subscribe for updates
This was achieved with Atlantic blue walls complemented by walnut veneer finishes, plush velvet couches in blue tones, an antique Turkish rug and wood fireplaces.
An elevated back area looks out onto the backyard with its tennis court and heated swimming pool, installed by Adelaide Classic Pools.
“I wanted a subtropical garden around the pool to make it feel resort-like. It’s amazing. It is low-maintenance as well,” says Jo.
The old garage has been converted into a teenage retreat, which the family has used as a gym, games room, music room, and everything in between.
“Our house has always been a safe space for the three boys and their friends to enjoy, with Dan and me still close if they needed us,” says Jo.
Jo describes the outdoor space as a living garden, with its veggie patch and an orchard full of lemons, limes and blood oranges.
Jo says her favourite feature of the home is the kitchen and spacious butler’s pantry, and easy access to the outdoors.
“It’s an entertainer’s dream,” says Jo.
But with their boys now in their 20s, Jo and Dan have decided to downsize.
“We just feel the house deserves a young family, as we were when we started there,” says Jo.
Jo says she will miss the privacy and space the most.
“You walk through the gate and the front door, and it’s like an estate. It’s almost like living in the countryside.”
The sale of 134 Grant Avenue, Toorak Gardens, is being handled by Jamie Brown of Booth Real Estate.
