25 Rochester Road

One of Canterbury's most beautiful avenues lined with overarching English trees and distinguished properties creates a magnificent setting for this grand family residence which, with an attractive tuckpointed brick façade, stands proudly elevated on an extra-wide and deep 1858 sqm (approx) allotment. Looking out to lush leafy Eastern suburbs, 'Birtley' is a beauty of largely original appeal which, offered for the first time in over 55 years, presents rare potential amid expansive grounds. Constructed in 1926 for Stuart James Halliday and described then as a gentleman's residence, 'Birtley' formed an integral part of Canterbury's historical, post-war residential growth where large estates for Melbourne's professional class were architect-designed on former mansion grounds. The Halliday family retained ownership over many decades and the home has been enjoyed by one family since then, projecting an impression of grandeur with its sweeping front setback and marvellous landscaped garden. An evocative sense of history unfolds throughout, with richly detailed decorative ceilings, exquisite leadlight windows and finely crafted timber joinery celebrating the craftsmanship of a bygone era. The shady portico leads to a timber-panelled entrance hall with plate rails and onto an elegant sitting room with a bay window and a spacious formal dining room, both framed by elevated garden outlooks and featuring ornate fireplaces. Generous accommodation is superbly arranged and adaptable, comprising five bedrooms, including a substantial front main, family bathroom with separate toilet and a full laundry with extra shower. An eat-in kitchen and meals area include scullery storage with sub-floor wine cellaring, while further on is a large family living room and versatile retreat or sixth bedroom set in a 1970s extension at the rear. The extraordinary breadth and depth of the property unfold with sweeping north-side gardens of productive beds rich with citrus and stone fruit trees, a paved entertaining patio with an external toilet and a level lawn that stretches back to a full-sized north-south asphalt tennis court on the rear boundary. There are also multiple rainwater tanks, a long side driveway, a secure carport and a remote-control garage providing extensive off-street parking. A landholding of this size and scope in such a tightly held setting represents a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to reimagine, restore and extend (STCA) a landmark family estate. Eminently comfortable while primed for transformation, there is potential to undertake a sympathetic renovation celebrating the home's period integrity, a luxurious contemporary expansion and a comprehensive landscape redesign that could incorporate a pool, pavilion, guest studio and outdoor entertaining domain. Positioned within one of Melbourne's most esteemed residential pockets, this remarkable offering combines scale, pedigree and possibility in a setting renowned for its architectural significance and enduring desirability. Moments to leading private schools, Maling Road village, Balwyn shopping, Camberwell Junction, train and tram options, Canterbury Gardens and other parklands, 'Birtley' represents a rare opportunity to reimagine a historical landmark property of vast dimensions while looking forward to a future of immeasurable family luxury and perfection.