An architect has transformed a quaint country cottage into a one-of-a-kind ivory mansion, complete with a fruit and truffle orchard, a temperature-controlled wine cellar and a very special swimming pool.
The house in Main Ridge, 93 kilometres south of Melbourne, has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a self-contained studio for guests to stay in at weekends.
Extensive renovations to the original limestone structure, built in the 1890s, have transformed the house into one of Victoria’s most unique properties, slapping it with a guide price of $8.2million to $9million (AUD).
A wide verandah wraps around the single-storey home, capturing coastal views of Port Phillip Bay on one side and a panorama of the 3.2 hectare manicured gardens on the other.
But the standout feature is undoubtedly the barn-inspired pool house created by acclaimed Melbourne designer Stephen Akehurst, which straddles a custom 20-metre swimming pool that flows from the inside to the outdoors.
An architect transformed what was once quaint country cottage into this one-of-a-kind ivory mansion
One of the standout features is this custom 20-metre swimming pool that runs from inside the barn to the outdoors
The barn straddles the swimming pool, which can be covered with a descending pool door to shut out cold in the winter
A remote-controlled pool door descends from the roof to lock in warmth during the winter.
The spectacular barn also features a spa, gym, hotel-style bathroom and vaulted ceilings, along with a mezzanine that can be used as a home office.
A vegetable garden, greenhouse, chicken run and orchard overflowing with citrus fruits, apples, apricots and figs make the home almost self-sufficient.
The temperature-controlled wine cellar (pictured) sits beneath vaulted timber ceilings in the pool house
Sunlight floods through every window of the house which has views of Port Phillip Bay on one side and a panorama of the 3.2 hectare gardens on the other
The single-storey has four spacious sunlit bedrooms (one pictured) as well as self-contained guest accommodation
The pool (pictured) runs between the barn and the main body of the house
Statement windows are the centrepiece of each of the five hotel-style bathrooms (one pictured)
Real estate agent Rob Curtain, who is overseeing the sale through Peninsula Sotheby’s International, describes it as ‘a truly quirky offering’.
Mr Curtain told Daily Mail Australia it is an unusual find in the area due to its manageable eight-acre size, sweeping valley views and renovated pool house.
‘The location and the views are the real selling point,’ he said.
‘It’s too small to be producing farm land, but if you want a rural aspect without the heavy maintenance that usually goes with it, this is the house for you.’
The owners spent close to $2million (AUD) creating a natural ecosystem on the estate, complete with man-made dams, elevated walkways (left) and an orchard bursting with apples, figs, citrus fruit and truffles (right)
An enormous outdoor dining area (pictured) takes up one end of the verandah
The manicured gardens have been described as some of the ‘most striking’ in the region
Spread across the estate are multiple garages and sheds, a guest suite (pictured) 10 kilowatt solar panels, CCTV and security systems and a storybook children’s treehouse
Mr Curtain said the current owners spent close to $2million (AUD) creating a unique ecosystem of man-made dams and walkways to make the property sustainable haven for local wildlife.
Turtles, yabbies and fish swim through the property’s two dams, which are edged with native grasses and shrubs, linked by a boardwalk and billabong.
Spread across the estate are multiple garages and sheds, 10 kilowatt solar panels, CCTV and security systems and a storybook children’s treehouse.