Grand Hawthorn home of former Vic premier hits market

Former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu is selling his much loved grand Victorian Hawthorn mansion of 27 years with a price guide of $9 million to $9.9 million.

It was love at first sight when Mr Baillieu first set foot in ‘Kardinia’, at 8 Calvin Street, Hawthorn. He told realestate.com.au it had all the features he wanted in a home – a hilltop position, city views, a quiet neighbourhood and an interesting history.

“When we first bought the house I walked into the house and walked straight out again not saying anything to anybody,” he said.

“The real estate agent didn’t know that I’d been there.

“I bought it at that auction, and I rang my wife and said “I bought this – you’d better come and have a look,” and went inside and opened the papers up for the first time only to see that the house was called ‘Kardinia,’ and as a Geelong supporter I thought this was meant to be,” he said, in reference to Kardinia Park, the home ground of the Geelong Cats football club.

Mr Baillieu, who worked as an architect before his political career where he was the premier of Victoria from 2010 until 2013, said he knew from day one how he would renovate the six bedroom and five bathroom residence.

“We renovated and we knocked off the back of the house and rebuilt the back of the house because it really wasn’t taking advantage of the views,” he said.

“We put in a substantial basement, and we put in a huge family room and kitchen with westerly views, and the bedrooms have the most magnificent views.

“I call it the dress circle view of the greatest show on Earth, which is the weather coming, the city lights, the fireworks, the balloons, the MCG lights, the river valley, the birds…

“We are in a heritage home so we restored the heritage part of it, we restored the slate roof and it’s got high ceilings and big spaces.”

Sales agent Mike Beardsley from Jellis Craig Boroondara said the home has the best floorplan he’s seen in any two- or three-storey Victorian residence.

“Every room is grand. There’s not one room that’s compromised, they’ve certainly designed the home to maximise that vantage point of sitting high on the river,” he said.

The sprawling floorplan includes multiple living, entertaining and outdoor terrace areas, a rooftop deck, four large bedrooms located upstairs and a lower level sixth bedroom with its own living room/retreat and kitchenette.

Other highlights include Gaggenau kitchen appliances, a home office, 3.6m ceilings, open fireplaces, a wine cellar and a 15m lap pool.

Mr Baillieu said he and his wife will not be moving too far away from the area and it was time for their next adventure.

“It’s been terrific for us. I became the local member and won four elections while we were there and home was headquarters, but home was also this retreat, sort of a peaceful place where you walk in the door and recover,” he said.

Expressions of interest to buy the home close September 16.

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