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Biggest House in Melbourne: Exploring Morning Star

August 1, 2024
biggest house in melbourne

Key takeaways:

  • Morning Star Estate is one of the largest and most historic properties in the greater Melbourne region, spanning 630,000 square meters in Mt Eliza.
  • Built in the 1860s, the estate features elegant Victorian architecture, beautiful gardens, and modern amenities.
  • The property has had several notable owners and has hosted significant events, enhancing its historical and cultural value.
  • Currently owned by Mario Verrocchi, Morning Star continues to be a significant landmark in Melbourne’s luxury real estate market.

Melbourne’s real estate is known for being diverse and competitive. Among all the impressive properties, the biggest house in Melbourne stands out for its size and history.

Morning Star in Melbourne is a remarkable property with endless amenities and a story to tell.

Though it is not located within the city limits. For clarity, it is best to describe it as one of the largest and most notable properties in the greater Melbourne region rather than strictly within Melbourne CBD.

It’s massive, it has beautiful gardens, multiple living areas and luxury features. Historic architecture combined with modern living, it’s a real treasure in Melbourne’s housing market.

Read on to find out more about Morning Star. If you’re interested in real estate in Melbourne or just love luxury homes, you’ll enjoy this article.

Melbourne’s Crown of Real Estate

Biggest House in Melbourne morning star
Mt. Eliza’s Morning Star | Image credits: www.lovethepen.com.au

Morning Star Estate is the biggest and one of the most historic properties in the greater Melbourne region. It is even a strong competitor for the most expensive house in Melbourne.

Morning Star is located in Mt Eliza. It’s been a film location for movies like Kath and Kimderella. It’s also a cultural icon, attracting global attention.

Built-in the 1860s, it’s Victorian architecture with gardens. Every inch of this estate is a piece of history. A must-see near the Yarra River.

  • Size: 63 hectares = 630,000 square metres
  • Location: Mt Eliza, Melbourne
  • Style: Victorian

It’s not just the size of the estate that’s significant. It played a part in Melbourne’s history. The mansion and grounds showcase Melbourne’s architectural and cultural development.

Other Features

  • Famous Visitors: Rock royalty have visited.
  • Historic Movies: Featured in films
  • Cultural Icon: Global attention.

Morning Star as the biggest house in Melbourne is a part of Melbourne’s luxury real estate, similar to the most expensive house in Toorak.

The historic and cultural layers make Morning Star a must see for those interested in Melbourne’s history.

A Walk Through Time: Morning Star’s History

Morning Star was built in the 1860s, let’s take a look at the mansion and its owners over the years.

Early History: The Mansion, The Style, The Build

Morning Star was built for a wealthy Londoner in the 1860s. The design is elegant of the era, with features of Victorian architecture. It was intended as a private residence, reflecting the owner’s wealth.

Biggest House in Melbourne
Image credits: www.lovethepen.com.au

The build included intricate details like grand staircases and high ceilings. These showed the wealth and status of the occupants. The mansion had beautiful gardens and a private chapel, adding to its grandness.

Ownership History: Key Owners, Major Renovations, Historical Events

The property has had many owners who have left their footprint. Early owners were wealthy families who added the luxuries and modern conveniences of the time.

One of the owners was art dealer Rod Menzies who was a big part of Melbourne’s art world. Each owner added to the history of the mansion resulting in renovations and changes to the aesthetic. These changes often reflected the social and economic times of the era.

Key events like parties and charity functions were held at the mansion, further solidifying its status. The estate’s historical value was enhanced by these events and the ongoing investment in its preservation.

Features of the Estate

Biggest House in Melbourne
Morning Star’s Gardens | Image credits: www.lovethepen.com.au

Morning Star is bigger than other notable properties in Melbourne. The grounds around expensive house include manicured gardens, a pool and a tennis court.

Compared to other estates Morning Star stands out not just for its size but for its many features.

This estate is zoned for leisure, events and agriculture. The 12-hectare vineyard is a feature, the wedding venue and the restaurant. The land layout is sprawling with views and space for many activities and events.

Main Mansion: Architectural and interior description

The main mansion at Morning Star is a Victorian-era beauty. The five-bedroom layout is grand and homely. Inside you’ll find a formal dining room for large parties and an entertainment room with billiards table and home cinema.

The mansion has historic architecture with intricate woodwork, high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Current use includes an elegant informal living area, a butler’s pantry and several living areas for relaxation and entertainment.

Other buildings and amenities

Morning Star has many other buildings that add to the estate’s value. The 12-hectare vineyard produces wine and is part of the estate’s charm. The wedding venue is a popular spot for special events, with a restaurant for fine dining and conference facilities for business meetings.

Biggest House in Melbourne
Image credits: www.commercialrealestate.com.au

Modern amenities are added to expensive home to make life easy and luxurious. The estate has a helipad for private and quick arrivals. The gardens are beautifully landscaped for walking and outdoor activities, Morning Star is a true retreat.

Sale and Owner

Morning Star, a Melbourne luxury estate was sold in 2020 to Mario Verrocchi for $40 million. Verrocchi is co-owner of My Chemist Retail Group, the property was sold during a hot real estate market.

At the time the Melbourne luxury market was hot with several record sales. A 10-bedroom mansion sold for $52.5 million and another property on St Georges Road, Melbourne’s most expensive street sold for $88 million in 2022.

Verrocchi’s ownership marks a new chapter for Morning Star. There have been talks of commercial or private development on the site. While the plans are private the estate’s size and historic charm makes it perfect for events.

Morning Star is more than just a price tag. It’s a part of the Melbourne luxury real estate market, attracting high end buyers. The estate under Verrocchi’s ownership has everyone waiting to see what’s next.

Location and Access

Morning Star is in Mount Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula, a mix of rural and urban. The estate’s location in a prestigious suburb and its blend of traditional elegance and modern luxury underscore its significance in the broader Melbourne real estate market.

Geographic context:

Morning Star is 42 km southeast of Melbourne’s CBD, The estate has country tranquillity and city convenience.

Mount Eliza is known for its scenic views, rolling hills, greenery and proximity to the coast. A peaceful retreat from city life but still close to Melbourne’s city hubs.

Nearby attractions:

The area around Morning Star has plenty of local attractions to add to the estate’s appeal. Nearby are beautiful beaches at Frankston and Mornington.

Mount Eliza has charming cafes, boutique shops and restaurants. The area has several top schools and parks. A short drive away are wineries and vineyards for wine tastings and views. For history buffs there are local museums and heritage sites to explore.

Transport:

Getting to and from Morning Star is easy with great transport links. Major roads like the Nepean Highway and Mornington Peninsula Freeway go directly to Melbourne and other destinations.

For air travel Morning Star has its own helipad for quick access to Melbourne and beyond. Public transport options including buses and nearby train stations make commuting easy and the estate is still within reach.

Summary

Morning Star is the biggest house in Melbourne. It’s historic and luxurious.

In a top suburb this estate combines traditional charm and modern luxury.

With gardens, a large swimming pool, and an ornate facade Morning Star is more than a house.

Its part of the Melbourne real estate market. Properties like this don’t come up for sale often so it’s value and demand is high.

Looking forward Morning Star’s future is bright. With the current owner there may be renovations and updates to make it even grander.

FAQs on Biggest House in Melbourne

Who owns the most expensive house in Melbourne?

As of 2024, the title for the most expensive house potentially belongs to a property listed by Ed Craven, a crypto casino founder. This house, located on St Georges Road, was initially valued at up to $80 million but required demolition due to its derelict condition.

Where are the big houses in Melbourne?

Park Orchards, a suburb in Melbourne’s northeast, is renowned for having the largest homes by area. The average property size here is 1727 square meters, significantly larger compared to those in North Sydney, which average just 139 square meters.

What is the biggest house in the world?

The Istana Nurul Iman Palace in Brunei is recognized as the world’s largest residential palace, spanning an area of 2,152,782 square kilometers.

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