Historic Mandalay c.1858 offered for the first
time since 1945.
Mandalay is an exciting “once in a lifetime” opportunity to own one of Williamstown’s
historically and architecturally significant landmark houses. Presented for the first
time since 1945, the huge 1363m2 corner allotment offers a blank canvas for the
serial renovator to embark on a high profile restoration project or visionary architect
to create something truly remarkable. Mandalay is representative of the grand
houses that fronted Hobsons Bay during the mid 19 th c and today its central position
on The Strand is regarded as one of Melbourne’s premier and sought after
residential locations.
Mandalay is an exciting “once in a lifetime” opportunity to own one of
Williamstown’s historically and architecturally significant landmark houses.
Presented for the first time since 1945, the huge 1363m2 corner allotment offers a
blank canvas for the serial renovator to embark on a high profile restoration project
or visionary architect to create something truly remarkable. Mandalay is
representative of the grand houses that fronted Hobsons Bay during the mid 19 th c
and today its central position on The Strand is regarded as one of Melbourne’s
premier and sought after residential locations.
Astute investor adding to your property portfoloio or your corporate headquarters or
you simply want to own the trophy property
Mandalay, formerly Abberton House, comes with provenance and a well documented
history. The 1856 rate books record John Riddell as the first owner of the land. The
following year saw local ship chandler, Captain William Probert as the next owner.
Probert engaged the services of Borough Surveyor, William Bull in 1858, to design
his house and Charles Pinckney of Cecil St as the builder. Later owners and
occupants of importance include political figure George Frederick Verdon, school
teacher and entrepreneur Charles Steedman, master mariner Captain William Hearn
and Blanchard. Captain George Molyneux purchased the home in 1945 and it
continues today to be in the family ownership.
Mandalay is a substantial two-storey 220m2 residence built of stuccoed basalt in the
Georgian style. Notable architectural features include its symmetrical design, entry
portico, well proportioned rooms, French doors, Bangor Welsh Slate, hipped roof,
corniced chimneys, and bluestone boundary walling. The verandah with its gabled
porch was added in 1905. The house is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR
HO232.
The ground floor comprises of an entry door with acid-etched stained glass, grand
formal sitting room, library, study, laundry, kitchen and breakfast room. The staircase
leads to three large bedrooms, a fourth bedroom and bathroom. All the rooms have
fine internal architectural features including open fire places, wide floorboards, high
ceilings, deep cornices and rosettes, cedar joinery, paneled doors with original
hardware, multipaned sash windows with breathtaking views over Hobsons Bay to
Port Melb, St.Kilda, and Melbourne’s CBD. The large garden has a number of native
and deciduous trees including a noted Canary Island Palm and Magnolia.
Williamstown, located at the mouth of the Yarra River on Hobson’s Bay, was
Melbourne’s first port settlement. Today, it is a beautifully preserved historic lifestyle
suburb with a rich maritime history and a strong sense of community. Situated only
10 kms from Melbourne’s CBD it has a vibrant commercial centre and culinary
prescint with leading restaurants, cafes, boutique and indie retail stores, specialty
stores, banks, galleries, maritime museums, antique shops, excellent schooling, boat
clubs, numerous notable historic buildings, the Williamstown Botanic Gardens c.
1856, and walking trails along the foreshore. Williamstown offers train service and
excellent freeway links.
Mandalay offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for an astute buyer or savvy investor
to secure and restore a grand private lifestyle waterfront residence on one of the
largest land parcels on the Strand and/or create a truly unique development project
in one of Melbourne’s premier locations. The possibilities are endless. For sale for
the first time since 1945 – don’t wait another 80 years for this opportunity to present
itself again.
For further details or inspections contact
Dominic Romeo 0438 500 277
dominicromeo@historicproperty.com.au