Eddie McGuire’s ultra-rare home swap with ex-Allied Chemicals boss Ian Hicks revealed as Toorak home listed for sale

Eddie McGuire once lived behind the high walls of 4 Dunraven Court, Toorak.

A Toorak house at the centre of an ultra-rare house swap between former Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire and a wealthy businessman has been listed for sale.

Records show the 4 Dunraven Ave home previously owned by the Melbourne businessman and AFL identity Mr McGuire, is now being sold by Ian Hicks — the former head of Applied Chemicals and Applied International.

The ritzy address in the heart of Toorak’s marketing material even reveals it comes with its own moat for a “floating restaurant” ambience.

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Mr Hicks is also a long-time philanthropist, having been recognised as an Officer of the order of Australia in 2021 for his support of the National Gallery of Victoria, time spent as president of MS Australia and financial support for the Australian Ballet.

But in a bizarre twist, additional documents have revealed Mr Hicks sold his former home in the suburb to Mr McGuire’s wife Carla for $11.75m in 2008.

A few months later, Mr Hicks wound up buying the then chief executive of Channel 9’s former home for $4.05m.

While such exchanges are not unheard of in the city’s most illustrious postcode, industry sources have indicated that they can arise due to the difficulty many wealthy homeowners face in finding a new home to relocate to.

The home’s pool is flanked by a wall with candle alcoves to create ambience.

The home’s layout impresses, thanks to design by leading architect Wayne Gillespie.

Forbes Global Properties’ Mike Gibson is handling the latest listing of 4 Dunraven Ave, which now has a $7.8m-$8.5m asking price, but would not discuss the home’s ownership — past or present.

However, Mr Gibson said the property designed by celebrated architect Wayne Gillespie was among a very limited selection of homes available for sale in the well-heeled neighbourhood at present — with the suburb’s property market getting close to taking a winter break.

The agent added that despite limited new listings expected between now and August, there were significant numbers of buyers actively looking in Toorak — and the Dunraven address could appeal to a number of them.

“Generally, the houses that people want are turn key — and in the case of Dunraven, it’s lock-up-and-leave,” Mr Gibson said.

Extensive travertine connects the home’s indoor and outdoor spaces, including a conservatory set beneath a glass ceiling.

In 2009, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Dr Gerard Vaughan, Chair of the National Gallery Foundation Bruce Parncutt and Deputy Chair of the National Gallery Foundation Ian Hicks pose for a photo in front of the John Brack painting. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith.

The striking three-bedroom, three-bathroom house comes with an impressive indoor-outdoor entertainment space where the rear living room extends to a glass-ceiling conservatory with stacking glass doors that open out to a wrap around water feature being described as a freshwater moat.

The agent said while conservatory’s were uncommon in the suburb, to have one open up to the outside in such a way was exceptionally rare.

Extensive marble features in the Miele kitchen, while travertine stone floors stretch from the culinary heart of the home through most of the ground floor, out to the conservatory and to a second outdoor entertainment area that features a pool and spa, flanked by a wall studded with candle alcoves.

A gym and bathroom complete the ground level.

Folding doors in the outdoor room connect it to a moat-style waterfeature.

The multimillion-dollar address has living zones downstairs, and sleeping quarters upstairs.

The bedrooms are upstairs, including a main with its own balcony behind French doors, built-in wardrobes, a marble ensuite and black out curtains. Two more bedrooms include one with an ensuite.

“And it’s in a cracking spot, close to the Toorak Village,” Mr Gibson added.

Expressions of interest for 4 Dunraven Ave close at 5pm on June 3.

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