Hospitality Yoda Kevin Luscombe’s Brighton mansion for sale

The grand Brighton home of hospitality icon Kevin Luscombe blends timeless Neo-Georgian design with resort-style living, and it’s now on the market.

The Brighton home designed by the late Kevin Luscombe, dubbed “the Yoda of Victorian hospitality” by MasterChef judge Matt Preston, has hit the market with a $3.9m-$4.29m price guide.

The revered advertising and marketing figure, who passed away in October 2023 aged 90, was known for shaping some of Australia’s most iconic food brands and mentoring generations of leaders across hospitality, wine and media.

Now, his carefully designed five-bedroom Brighton residence, complete with a wine cellar, indoor pool and European courtyard, is being offered for sale for the first time in more than two decades.

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The late Mr Luscombe and his wife Barbara purchased the 550sq m site at 14 Cadby St in 1997 for $340,000, and completed the custom Neo-Georgian build in 2000.

The home was meticulously crafted to reflect his creative vision and refined taste, with Barbara living in the property until recently.

Their son David Luscombe said his father took great pride in the design process, curating not just a house but a place of thought, warmth and celebration.

Tucked beneath the home, this custom wine cellar was a favourite feature of the late Kevin Luscombe, a man who knew his vintages.

Bathed in natural light, the indoor pool offers a private wellness retreat, one of the home’s most surprising and admired features.

“This house was very much a reflection of his vision, personality and passions,” Mr Luscombe said.

“He didn’t just live here, he shaped it.”

Among the standout features is a temperature-controlled wine cellar that his son David said was “100 per cent Dad’s creation”.

The former Heinz marketing executive had once owned a vineyard and maintained friendships with winemaking greats like Gary Crittenden.

Chemist Warehouse Group’s Sam Gance with Kevin Luscombe, a visionary leader whose legacy extended across hospitality, marketing and philanthropy. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The formal lounge showcases the home’s classical proportions, high ceilings and grand aesthetic, a space made for entertaining.

“Wine was a real passion for him,” he said.

“It wasn’t just about collecting bottles, it was about the story and curation.”

The indoor pool was another signature inclusion, chosen for year-round use and to avoid what David jokingly called his dad’s “least favourite task, scooping out leaves.”

The home also includes multiple living zones, two large studies, and a European-inspired courtyard framed by a central fountain and established greenery.

This richly appointed study and library near the entry was once Luscombe’s working room, a quiet corner of thought and strategy.

Marble finishes, tub and columned detail bring a luxe hotel feel to the home’s main bathroom — one of five across the residence.

“It was a gathering place,” Mr Luscombe said.

“There were six children, grandchildren, and a lot of long lunches. It always felt warm, both literally and emotionally.”

Hodges Brighton director Lee Pellizzer said the property had drawn strong interest from families seeking a spacious, character-filled residence near leading schools like Brighton Grammar.

North-facing and drenched in light, the private garden terrace includes a central fountain and European charm with low-maintenance appeal.

The sweeping staircase in the entry foyer makes a bold first impression, one of many custom elements of the Neo-Georgian design.

“The proportions are generous and the finishes are timeless,” Mr Pellizzer said.

“It’s a solid, elegant home with a story, and you can feel it when you walk in.”

Expressions of interest close Monday July 7 at 5pm

This second lounge space features a sculpted fireplace and bay windows, part of the home’s generous multi-zone living layout.

The bright, classic kitchen opens to garden views and includes granite benches, a walk-in pantry and curved window dining nook.

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david.bonaddio@news.com.au

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