Inside $9m Brighton mansion with cinema and spa

This Brighton trophy home known as Rathgar has sold for around $9.1m, with a luxury renovation blending Victorian elegance and resort-style indulgence.

A limestone-wrapped veranda, a Canary Island date palm and a home cinema better than Gold Class, this Brighton showpiece is anything but ordinary.

The five-bedroom estate at 24 Tennyson St, known as Rathgar, has sold for around $9.1m, according to industry sources, marking one of Brighton’s biggest residential transactions of the year.

Dating back to the 1880s, the original Victorian-era home has been meticulously renovated under the direction of designer Stephen Akehurst, with a transformation that preserved its ornate charm while introducing modern resort-style living and luxe functionality.

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Instead of opting for a knockdown-rebuild, the sellers retained and restored the double-fronted brick residence.

They expanded it into a grand family domain with a 14-metre solar and gas-heated pool, 12-person spa, home gym, wine cellar, mudroom, and custom-built theatre that Nick Johnstone Real Estate Brighton director Nick Johnstone said had a “wow” factor buyers couldn’t ignore.

“It was a beautifully renovated period home and it had that timeless quality people really love,” Mr Johnstone said.

“Buyers were taken by the open fireplace, the mudroom, the cinema, it just had that ‘wow’ factor.”

The 14-metre long solar and gas-heated swimming pool and 12-person spa create a private oasis in the meticulously landscaped backyard.

A limestone and bluestone paved terrace with built-in barbecue connects seamlessly to the main living zone for effortless outdoor entertaining.

Set behind automated gates on nearly 1272sq m of blue-chip land, Rathgar opens with manicured gardens and a curved veranda trimmed in iron lacework, details that made a striking first impression to buyers.
Mr Johnstone said some prestige buyers were drawn to ultra-modern homes, and others loved the solidity of older ones.

“This home had the appeal of both. When people walked through the gates, it really took their breath away,” he said.

A hand-laid Howqua stone fireplace anchors the main sitting room, blending alpine-style warmth with elegant contemporary finishes.

The grand entrance hall is lined with resurfaced blackbutt floors, high ceilings and period detailing — setting a refined tone from the outset.

Inside, the home is appointed with resurfaced blackbutt floors, pure wool loop pile carpets, and classic finishes including marble fireplaces, silk drapery, and French crystal chandeliers.

The rear of the home features an open-plan living space centred around a hand-laid stone fireplace, adjoining a marble kitchen fitted with custom joinery, a Paul Bocuse Rosieres freestanding cooker, and Liebherr appliances.

One of several marble-finished bathrooms, this bold navy and white retreat features dual vanities and a built-in petit bath.

Treetop outlooks, soft wool carpet and a custom-built window seat make this bedroom a serene and stylish family space.

French doors lead out to a limestone and bluestone paved terrace with a built-in barbecue, stepping onto a lush lawn framed by privacy hedges, a glass-fenced pool, and resort-style entertaining zones.
The Nick Johnstone Real Estate Brighton director said the home had a great deal of character.

“It had a bit of a ski chalet feel in parts, especially that mudroom,” Mr Johnstone said.

“And it’s in such a sensational position, near the Were St shops, near the beach, and finished to a standard that’s very hard to find.”

Original French crystal chandeliers and ornate plasterwork frame the formal living space, one of many nods to the home’s 1880s origins.

The custom-designed home cinema exceeds commercial standards, offering a plush, immersive Gold Class experience behind blackout curtains.

Upstairs, the three secondary bedrooms each include built-in robes, study nooks, and custom daybeds, with one offering a view to the Melbourne CBD skyline.

The main suite sits at the front of the home with a marble ensuite, walk-in robe, and views to the landscaped gardens.

Additional features include a second upstairs retreat, double garage with workshop, home gym/studio with separate entry, a 90,000 litre underground water tank, hydronic heating, central airconditioning, a drying cabinet, and laundry chute.

A self-contained studio doubles as a home gym or fifth bedroom, complete with an ensuite and exterior access to the pool zone.

The full scale of the 1272sq m property is revealed from above, a rare landholding just moments from Brighton Beach and Were Street Village.

Mr Johnstone said the home was a standout even among Brighton’s trophy homes.

“Mostly younger families came through, and a few international buyers,” he said.

“But the majority were existing clients — people who’ve done well and were ready to buy in that top-end price range.”

Mr Johnstone declined to comment on the final price.

The limestone-paved veranda, framed by white columns and intricate iron lacework, wraps the home in timeless Victorian grandeur.

The custom-built dining space opens directly to the terrace, with full-height windows flooding the area with natural light and garden views.

The Carrara marble kitchen features a Paul Bocuse Rosieres cooker, Liebherr appliances, a scullery and custom joinery designed for serious entertainers.

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david.bonaddio@news.com.au

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