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Inside the South Yarra house that dates back to the 1880s.
The ex-wife of Victor Smorgon Group executive chairman Peter Edwards, Monica Edwards, has put her South Yarra mansion on the market with $10.7m-$11.7m price hopes.
Mr Edwards heads the business which his grandfather, billionaire industrialist Victor Smorgon, and grandmother Loti Smorgon, founded to grow their dynasty’s wealth across future generations.
Abercrombys director Jock Langley declined to comment on the owners, but records show the circa-1880s house belongs to Ms Edwards, who recently divorced from Mr Edwards.
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The inner city property is more than 1.8ha in size, slightly smaller than the MCG’s oval.
The circa-1800s Italianate residence features a children’s bedroom with a fireman’s pole and Thomas the Tank Engine mural, a dining and living area with pink interiors, and an original cottage where silk scarfs line the ceiling.
Mr Langley said the “quite extraordinary” home offers two street frontages, multiple living areas and a main bedroom walk-in wardrobe showcasing an elaborate blue- and gold-coloured wall mural patterned with birds and foliage.
![12/03/2003. Peter and Monica Edwards at the Berlei bra launch. Digital image.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 768 768"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Peter and Monica Edwards pictured in 2003.
There’s a three-car garage and other off-street parking.
A fireman’s pole and Thomas the Tank Engine mural feature in a children’s bedroom.
The kitchen is fitted with a walk-in pantry and dishwasher.
Period features such as a tower and handpainted stained-glass windows were retained when the abode was restored in 2015 and 2016.
“The owners have restored the house and done a beautiful job, it’s magnificent and ready to move into and enjoy,” Mr Langley said.
“It is grand in every sense of the worked without being grandiose.”
He described the bedrooms’ design as “very clever and artistic” including the children’s bedroom complete with a fireman’s pole.
The kitchen is concealed behind folding doors, and there is a gold-coloured island bench while there is a chandelier in the pink-painted living and dining area.
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A creative walk-in wardrobe, complete with a fireplace.
Marble. Lots and lots of marble, in one of the three bathrooms.
Mr Langley says the new owner will have to seek planning permission if they hope to extend the original cottage on the grounds.
Mr Langley said the owners had been planning to install a conservatory with a pool, but had not added the glass walls and glazed roof, which the next owner could do.
He added that an original cottage, believed to have formerly served as a home for the nearby train station’s station manager, could be used as an office, retreat for teenage children, short-term rental accommodation or staff quarters.
The cottage’s ceiling is now draped with colourful silk scarfs.
This owl scupture which adorns the foyer will not be sold with the home.
The house retains its historic character, after being restored about a decade ago.
The next owner will be able to complete the pool and conservatory which sits partially built.
The main house was originally built for businessman, magistrate and St Kilda councillor William Welshman, and has previously served as a guest and boarding house.
Although Ms Edwards maintains a private profile, she remains listed as a director of the Victor Smorgon Scholarship Fund.
She’s also listed, alongside her former husband, as a supporter of the NGV and Wesley College.
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