Blairgowrie: Creative pad with sculpture garden the ideal location for White Lotus-themed parties

The house at 20-22 Foam Ave, Blairgowrie, has hosted both White Lotus and Moroccan-themed parties. The hit show, starring Carrie Coon and Leslie Bibb, just aired its third season. Inset picture: Photo: HBO/ Warner Bros.

A Mornington Peninsula art gallery-style house featuring a garden sculpture park is in the frame for a new owner.

The four-bedroom home at 20-22 Foam Ave, Blairgowrie, is on the market with a $2.3m-$2.5m asking range – and some of the animal sculptures in its garden will be offered for sale too.

Semi-retired veterinary surgeon Dr Hugh Bourke, who enjoys flipping houses on the Peninsula, acquired the address as his third such project.

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His transformation of the 1505sq m property’s multiple outdoor spaces was inspired by the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs, famous for its eclectic blend of styles from the 1960s and 1970s that has been described as “hippy chic”.

Since buying in 2017, Hugh lived at the Peninsula abode during the Covid pandemic and also used the property as a holiday home and holiday rental.

He fell in love with the house’s views of the nearby back beach’s sand dunes and peaceful atmosphere, despite being a three-minute drive from Blairgowrie’s main shopping strip.

He installed the gas- and solar-heated pool and spa, landscaped the garden with native Australian plants and converted the tennis court to a floodlit, mod-grass court.

“The tennis court, when I bought, had weeds up to my knees,” Hugh said.

The tennis court has hosted plenty of special events.

Owner Dr Hugh Bourke’s springer spaniel Finn sits on a bench near the tennis court, featuring sculptures by artists Gillie and Marc.

As someone who loves entertaining family and friends he installed a bar next to the court, which has a blue neon light-up sign reading “The Oyster Bar” – inspired by a fictional bar of a similar name in the Police Academy films.

Hugh has hosted summer parties, including one with a White Lotus theme, based on the US comedy drama television show, and another event with a Moroccan theme that saw Bedouin tents erected on the court.

“We had 52 21-year-olds at banquet tables on the tennis court,” Hugh said.

The Moroccan-themed party with an “art foot” sculpture titled All Feet Matter, from the SPACE gallery.

The rhino sculpture was craned into place.

The pool is surrounded by Castlemaine Slate, a stone that’s quarried in Australia.

The garden is decked out with sculptures inspired by the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, crafted by artists Gillie and Marc.

The Archibald Prize finalists are known for their sculpture characters named Rabbitwoman and Dogman, who appear at the property sitting on a bench near the tennis court.

“At my niece’s 21st, everyone sat there to take photos,” Hugh said.

A rhino sculpture that weighs about 300kg to 400kg had to be craned into the garden.

“It’s a bit of a sculpture park,” Hugh said.

There’s plenty of spaces to entertain or enjoy the views.

Hugh’s niece celebrated her 21st birthday on the tennis court, with several of her friends seated at banquet tables.

The main bedroom has a deck and views of the nearby sand dunes.

Some of the sculptures stand on plinths made out of reclaimed timber from the Burnley Tunnel project, while others wear jewellery from the Australian studio Dinosaur Designs.

If whoever buys the house is interested in purchasing some of the sculptures, they will be able to do so via negotiation.

Hugh said that the property’s multiple covered decks allow sun to be captured at all times of day.

There’s also an outdoor firepit that was inspired by the Parker Hotel, which he has visited many times.

“The best thing about the house is that it sleeps up to 15 people,” he said.

“It could be a family home and it’s also an amazing entertaining place.”

Scenes from The White Lotus Season 2. Picture: Binge/HBO.

The abode’s upper level features a main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, an ensuite, sand dune views and a deck looking out to the pool.

“It is lovely lying in bed and hearing the surf at night,” Hugh said.

Two living areas, a Coonara wood heater, Jetmaster open fireplace, split system airconditioning, separate studio in the garden and heated outdoor shower are among the other highlights.

Kay & Burton’s Lorna Duffy has the listing, and Eleisha Doherty from Compass Property Partners is the vendor’s advocate.

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