Beachside Chateau in one of Melbourne’s finest addresses

Set high on the corner of exclusive Menzies Avenue and Hartley Street, “Chantilly” commands views of this leafy Parisienne enclave of Brighton northwards, genteel playing fields eastwards and Sandringham Yacht Club southwards. With tall ornamental pear hedges, ivy-covered walls and mansard roof, the beautifully-proportioned seaside chateau seems at first glance to be 100 years old, however it was designed by award-winning Architect, Rob Mills, and constructed by renowned Australian builders, Mort Higgins, less than 20 years ago.

With imposing steps, wrought iron gates and glazed canopy à la Paris Metro, the portico provides a striking entrance to the seaside home. A pair of antique doors provides access to a majestic double-storey entrance foyer with elegant curved wrought iron staircase. Stone floor slabs are framed by Blackbutt floorboards, lanolin-aged over 130 years having been recycled from the Sydney Woolstores. To the left is a large hall with magnificent open fireplace and French oak library, which allow the room to be used as a warm living and dining room or as a formal drawing room for guests. The flooring is again impressive with French Oak laid in the Versailles pattern and all pieces individually hand-routed to round edges. Such attention to detail is evident in all parts of the home. Tall sets of French doors in proportion to the lofty 11-foot ceilings offer pleasing views of the formal Parterre garden with pond. The large adjoining study, ideal as a home office, includes in-built book cabinets and oak parquetry flooring. The home has Ethernet cat6e cabling throughout; high-speed NBN and Foxtel connections, together with a fully-equipped alarm and security system. Heating and cooling is ducted and zoned with discreet outlets.

The first of two powder rooms serves the ground floor living areas and there is a large laundry with access to stairs to the basement, which has a large wine cellar/storage room, even larger games/media room (or possible fifth bedroom with en-suite) and garage for 5 to 6 cars. Back to the entrance hall and we enter the heart of the home, comprising the family room with another open fireplace and in-built shelves and cabinets, as well as a traditional French country kitchen and meals area. The charming kitchen has extensive customised timber cabinetry and the pièce de résistance is the traditional Falcon double oven with large canopy above. Another set of French doors are north-facing, capturing the sunlight and opening out onto the second Parterre garden with stone paving and colonnade. This fully irrigated and illuminated garden has a 16m fully-tiled, solar and gas-heated lap pool, with a water feature beyond.

Walls throughout the home have stunningly beautiful finishes of a bygone era, exhibiting French provincial blended painting techniques; the finest quality European wallpaper; or bespoke Venetian plastering. A series of solid oak French doors with imported Italian Parliament fittings are also used throughout the building. are north-facing, capturing the sunlight and opening out onto the second Parterre garden with stone paving and colonnade. This fully irrigated and illuminated garden has a 16m fully-tiled, solar and gas-heated lap pool, with a water feature beyond.

Up the sweeping staircase, we come to the sumptuous master bedroom with generous proportions bathed in light. North-facing French doors lead out onto a full-width balcony overlooking the poolside courtyard. A large dressing room leads into a palatial Travertine-marble dual-vanity en-suite with the finest-quality gold fittings. The en-suite features electronic floor heating, heated towel rail, separate bath, and two more sets of French doors opening onto the balcony.
The other three bedrooms are similarly opulent with walk-in or built-in robes, wicker ceiling fans in the French tropical island manner (used throughout the home), and marble-finished bathroom and powder room. The attic and rooftop area have sweeping views of the Bay and City, an ideal place to watch the sunset at the end of the day.

This is one of Melbourne’s finest homes in one of its finest addresses; a short walk to Brighton Beach and Railway Station, and close to Were Street Village shops and vibrant Church Street. Zoned for Brighton Beach Primary School and Brighton Secondary College, with many private schools nearby, including Brighton Grammar, Firbank, Haileybury and St Leonard's Colleges.

To receive further information or to arrange a private inspection, please contact:
James Paynter 0418 390 133