Strathmore mansion with gold toilet set to smash suburb record

An epic mansion featuring a golden toilet and Hollywood-style cinema is set to shatter Strathmore’s house price record by at least $2m.

Named Villa Monticello, the home at 37-39 Bournian Ave – which even has a link to iconic singer Michael Jackson – is for sale with a $7.75m-$8.5m range

That’s seven figures above Strathmore’s existing $5.5m benchmark set by 1 Henshall Rd in 2024.

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Villa Monticello was built by the late Essendon powerbroker and former number one ticket holder Ron Kirwan and his wife Sylvia, less than two decades ago.

Mr Kirwan was a life member of the football club, its Past Players and Officials Association and the Essendonians’ coterie group.

He was also part of the First XVIII coterie, a collection of prominent club supporters who contributed significant funds to the Bombers and helped to bankroll their move from Windy Hill to Tullamarine in 2013.

Two rooms at the Tullamarine headquarters were named in Mr Kirwan’s honour, the coaches meeting room and the player’s auditorium.

Mr Kirwan was also a successful businessman who started out in office cleaning, security and landscape gardening.

In 2005, he decked out his company’s MCG box with a life-size Elvis replica, marbelled handprints of actors Kim Basinger and Demi Moore and a 1957 Chevy bonnet repurposed as a drinks table.

When Mr Kirwan died at the age of 74 in 2016, Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy said the team stalwart had been “the heart and soul and serious backbone of this club for more than 40 years”.

Mrs Kirwan, a staunch Bombers fan herself, said Villa Monticello had hosted club luminaries including Sheedy, Terry Daniher, Mark Harvey and Simon Madden.

She and her husband chose to build their French Provincial-style, five-bedroom house on a 1600sq m block because they were “looking for another challenge in life” at the time.

Across 2.5 years, Grollo Homes constructed the abode that features gold-leaf ceilings, an 11-seat Art Deco-esque cinema, a fairy garden and five-car garage with a separate tool room.

The outdoor plunge pool with a waterfall and spa was designed by former Bomber Paul Van Der Haar, whose family business installed and designed swimming pools and spas.

Mrs Kirwan said Villa Monticello was named after the circa-1768 estate of former US President Thomas Jefferson, which she and her husband had visited in Virginia.

She said although their home did not look like its US counterpart, she and Mr Kirwan had liked the name “Monticello” and been impressed with how modern Jefferson’s historic address was despite its age.

“Coincidentally, one of our ancestors, I believe, hosted President Jefferson when they had a winery in France,” Mrs Kirwan said.

Villa Monticello showcases formal and informal living areas, twin offices, a lift and main bedroom with a dressing room, spa ensuite and full-length balcony

The kitchen is fitted with Miele appliances, a marble-topped island bench, walk-in pantry and butler’s pantry.

“We have gold leaf on the columns in the kitchen, on the front door and the staircase,” Mrs Kirwan said.

She nominated an ensuite with a gold-coloured toilet and bidet as one of her favourite features.

Mrs Kirwan spotted the toilet in a magazine while in the US.

She and her husband travelled across three states to inspect it before importing the glamorous loo to Australia, where they added some gold leaf decoration.

“I always loved that toilet, it’s so unique, it’s like a throne,” Mrs Kirwan said.

She said her husband would likely have selected the cinema, where he enjoyed screening Casablanca and American Civil War documentaries, as his favourite room.

The home theatre’s entrance boasts an Egyptian-like set of figures similar to carved replicas on the front of boats.

“They’re very elaborate – I wish I could have taken them with me, but they won’t fit into an ordinary house,” Mrs Kirwan, who is planning to downsize, said.

Features and materials used in the house’s build came from international locations such as Italy, the UK, France, Africa, the US and Asia.

The carpets were made in Thailand and the tap fittings were shipped from Spain.

Some of the lighting was sourced at a Las Vegas shop.

While in the store, Mrs Kirwan saw a photograph of Michael Jackson from when he had purchased several items there himself.

As a fan of the legendary performer, Mrs Kirwan struck a fairly unique bargain with the store’s staff.

“I said, ‘Well, on the proviso that you give me that photograph, I‘ll take all this lighting,’ and they’re quite happy about that,” she said.

The photo sat on her desk for many years but has now been cleared away for the sales campaign.

The Kirwans’ collection of 70 or so hats, bought during their travels, is displayed through the home.

As the author of The Kirwan Clan book and another book on genealogy, Mrs Kirwan previously had hundreds of framed family tree photos hung around the home.

Her fairy garden is filled with fairy and toadstool ornaments, and was created with the help of an artist friend.

And as a prolific charity work volunteer, she has hosted 230 groups of senior citizens for tours and luncheons through Villa Monticello.

Jellis Craig Essendon managing director Chauntel Considine said the house would suit families and buyers who appreciated fine quality.

“The detail is just quite extraordinary and replacement value, you just couldn’t replace this in this day and age with the cost of construction,” Ms Considine said.

Buyers from Sydney, Hampton, Taylors Lakes and Melbourne’s northwest have inquired about Villa Monticello, which is zoned for Strathmore Secondary College.

In addition, it is close to schools, parks, Napier St Village and public transport.

Expression of interest close at 5pm on September 23.

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