"Maryemeade" is a magnificent landmark Victorian slate roofed residence, arguably one of the finest period residences in the immediate vicinity and one of the first houses constructed in the prestigious Grace Park Estate. Lush gardens and beautiful mature trees adorn a prominent allotment spanning 1,140 sqm approx. Built during the land boom of the late 1880s, this residence evokes memories of a bygone era in Melbourne's heyday when gracious living and entertaining was undertaken on a grand scale. Historically, the house was listed in the 1992 Hawthorn Heritage Study as being architecturally significant and a major work by Reed, Henderson and Smart, renowned architects of the time, and as an influential work in the red brick genre and the "Modern Italian" style. Today "Maryemeade" retains its pre-eminent position as a residence with the capacity to offer the finest family lifestyle with perfect amenities for entertaining and celebrating family milestone events in keeping with today's expectations or simply to enjoy the company of friends around the swimming pool.
The home's generous proportions are complemented by exquisite period attributes including stained glass windows, ornate high ceilings, imported Waterford chandeliers and parquetry floors. A discrete arched, tessellated tiled porch opens into a stunning two-storey entrance hall with a mahogany staircase and a large crystal chandelier. The grand hallway leads to a study/library, an elegant formal dining and sitting room and a second sitting area opening onto a north-facing verandah. An expansive rear family domain basks in northern light and includes an adjacent powder room, concealed bar and laundry with a superbly appointed kitchen designed for entertaining and equipped with granite benchtops and prestige Euro appliances. The space opens out to a paved alfresco entertaining area with a gas mains BBQ, overlooking the gas heated azure-blue pool and rear garden, including an external billiard room with a bar, poolside bathroom and sauna. A spiral staircase and internal lift lead upstairs to an arched hallway and four generous bedrooms, including a lavish main bedroom with dressing room and Italian tiled spa ensuite. There are two further family bathrooms and a north-facing balcony. Other comprehensive appointments include original marble open/gas fireplaces, a full alarm system, hydronic heating/ducted cooling and R/C air conditioners throughout. There is a wine cellar, a mud room and a remotely operated entrance gateway to off-street parking and a tandem double garage. The gardens are fully sprinkler-operated for effortless maintenance.
"Maryemeade" represents a rare opportunity to purchase a tightly-held property of this magnitude, quietly located in the lovely heritage surrounds of the coveted Grace Park Estate and a stone's throw to Grace Park itself, the Glenferrie Oval and the recreation complex. Superbly convenient for Glenferrie Road's excellent shopping, its many cafes and restaurants and the Lido cinema, there are numerous prestige schools in the immediate area and plenty of public transport options. The Mary Street position also allows for quick and easy driving to both the CBD and CityLink.
