Celebrated landscape designer Paul Bangay created the garden at 2 Honybun Court, Donvale.
A grand Donvale estate featuring a sprawling garden which cost at least $2m to create is poised for a record sale.
The six-bedroom house at 2 Honybun Court with a garden developed by famous landscape designer Paul Bangay is on the market with a $5.5m-$6m range.
Records show Donvale’s existing $4.588m house price benchmark was set by a five-bedroom home at 106 Old Warrandyte Rd in 2022.
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Set on 4047m, the Honybun Court property’s outdoor area includes manicured lawns framed by cherry blossoms, ornamental pear and ginkgo balboa trees, a children’s playground, 120,000L solar- and gas-heated pool, entertainer’s cabana, mod-grass tennis court and firepit.
But the wow factor doesn’t stop there with more than 150 garden lights including for the trees, a cast-iron fountain sourced from an antiques shop, an oyster shell water feature designed by Mr Bangay and a four-car garage.
Two 100,000L underground water tanks and dual automated irrigation systems assist in maintaining the extensive greenery.
The tiled 120,000 litre pool, cabana and flood-lit tennis court create a resort-like feel.
There’s stone benchtops, an Insinkerator and a Qasair concealed rangehoood in the kitchen.
One of the abode’s owners, Melbourne-based nephrologist Dr Cos Stambe, said he and his wife Lisa built the house with the aim of creating a great family home for their four children to grow up in, in 2009.
They also wanted a timeless French provincial look with a modern twist in the home designed by Catt Architects.
Dr Stambe said when all the garden’s infrastructure was taken into account, from the water tanks to lights, it had cost a minimum of $2m overall for the entire project.
“There’s Lilly Pillies around the outside of the entire block and it gives a very soft feel to the house as well,” he said.
The garden has a fire pit and pergola with a Welsh slate roof, timber ceiling and a remote-controlled awning.
The inspiration behind the house was to create a home ideal for family living.
In the house, there’s a central spiral staircase, American oak parquetry floors and open-plan family and meals area with a limestone open fireplace.
Dr Stambe said the residence’s individual details were second-to-none, citing the staircase’s forged steel balustrades crafted by specialist steel designer Vince Turner who used a hammer to embellish the banister with dints so that it would have an aged appearance.
The kitchen showcases a hardwood and stone island bench, 900mm oven, eight-burner gas cooktop, Fisher & Paykel dishwasher drawers and a butler’s scullery.
An innovative detail is an island bench leg which conceals pipes for waste water to run through.
A cast iron fountain and a Paul Bangay custom-designed, oyster shell-style water feature in the garden.
There’s a total of four bathrooms in the home.
On the house’s poolside is a climate-controlled 700-bottle wine cellar, two home offices and a gym with a bathroom.
The main bedroom offers arched windows and plantation shutters that lead to a terrace, an ensuite with a sunken bath, frameless shower and dual stone basins, a dressing room and a walk-in wardrobe.
Four other bedrooms, all with walk-in wardrobes, share two bathrooms.
The house, garden, pool and tennis court as seen from above.
The curved staircase with bespoke forged steel balustrading.
Dr Stambe said in addition to feeling like a private sanctuary, the house was a wonderful place to host family events.
“It’s a great house for adults, but it’s an even better house for kids,” he said.
“We’re out by the pool, they’re in the pool, they’re jumping on the trampoline, they’re riding bikes and playing cricket on the tennis court, they’re playing chasey around the house.”
He and his wife are selling up now that their children are at university.
The property is zoned for Mitcham Primary School and Mullauna Secondary College, and is close to Westfield Doncaster, Eastland, the Mullum Mullum Trail and Halliday Park.
Jellis Craig partner Kristy Djordevic said the house would suit a family, potentially one seeking to leave the inner city for a leafy locale with plenty of space.
“That’s what this acre property offers, it’s quite a prestigious court and you’re surrounded by beautiful other acre homes,” Ms Djordevic said.
She described the abode as a rare offering in the area due to the attention to detail in the build and the seven-figure garden by a famous landscape designer.
“Just the landscaping alone, to be at that dollar value is insane, but Cos and his wife Lisa have put their heart and soul into the design,” she added.
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