The Cockatoo mansion’s new owners, Ben and Betty Pop, and an artist’s render of the home’s hoped-for future look. Left picture: Ian Currie, right picture: Serge@Tomic Design, @cockatoomansion.
The new owners of a once-abandoned mansion in Melbourne’s southeast have revealed spectacular plans for the house’s future Toorak-style transformation.
Betty and Ben Pop got the keys to the derelict and graffitied Cockatoo house in January.
When it was placed on the market in 2024, the circa-1960s home on Woori Yallock Rd became Australia’s most-viewed residence for the year on realestate.com.au.
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Ms Pop fell in love with the 5.3ha property after seeing its online listing, despite its neglected state, smashed windows, lime green interiors and lack of functioning toilets.
Ranges First National Real Estate Belgrave and Cockatoo director Mick Dolphin and his colleague Anthony Iorlano said they had received up to 1000 buyer inquiries about the mansion before it sold for $900,000.
Speaking to the Herald Sun following their purchase, Mr Pop said he and his wife hoped to convert the home into a “Toorak mansion in the bush” while maintaining its original character.
The mansion previously stood vacant for about a decade.
Ben and Betty Pop inside the house with its distinctive lime green walls. Picture: Ian Currie.
An artist’s render of how the mansion could look after the renovation is completed. Picture: Serge@Tomic Design, @cockatoomansion.
The couple are expecting to spend up to seven figures on the massive makeover project, which they estimate could take up to 2.5 years to complete.
The Pops have been sharing their future vision for the house with the Cockatoo Mansion Renovation Project Instagram account’s tens of thousands of followers, at @cockatoomansion.
Artist’s renders and videos of the final build’s look, which will depend on council approval, showcase an infinity pool and vine-draped rooftop garden with a water fountain.
The Pops have cleared the grass from around the house since this picture was taken in January 2026. Picture: Ian Currie.
How the mansion’s facade will look following its makeover. Picture: Serge@Tomic Design, @cockatoomansion.
Ms Pop said they were yet to confirm the total number of bedrooms the finished house would have, but the middle level would likely have four bedrooms each with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe.
She’s also aiming to paint the mansion a lighter colour and plant red roses and jasmine to climb up the exterior walls.
Replicating or retaining some of the graffiti throughout the house is on the cards too.
An artist’s render of the future rooftop garden. Picture: Serge@Tomic Design, @cockatoomansion.
The house was built by a couple with a Romanian background in the 1960s. Picture: Ian Currie.
Ms Pop said that her reaction to seeing the artists’ renders, including those from Berwick-based Tomic Design, for the first time was pure disbelief.
“I was like, ‘This does not even feel like it’s my home, because it’s too incredible’,” she said.
Along with her husband, she is planning to submit their planning application for the mansion’s renovation to Cardinia Shire Council this week.
Once the council approves the plan, they will get started on the build.
An artist’s vision of the future infinity pool. Picture: Serge@Tomic Design, @cockatoomansion.
When the property was listed for sale a decade ago, before the Pops bought it, multiple motorcycle gangs inspected it in the hopes of turning it into a clubhouse. Picture: Ian Currie.
In the meantime, she and Mr Pop have been busy clearing the overgrown greenery and rubble from their land to make it safer for tradespeople to access.
Ms Pop said they had been overwhelmed by the wider community interest in their plans for the mansion.
“Social media has definitely gone insane and the fact that we haven’t even started things, and we’re basically close to 40,000 followers just on Instagram blows my mind,” she said.
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