A Victorian Restoration in Australia

Gary Morgan, an Australian businessman and the executive chairman of a market-research company, purchased this home in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife Genevieve for approximately $300,000 Australian dollars (about US$278,000) in the early ’80s. Photo: Gerard Warrener
Built in 1864, the original home was designed by the late Charles Webb, a renowned British-born architect in Australia. The checkerboard floor at the front of the home is original. Photo: Gerard Warrener
By the time the property was bought by the current owners, it had been converted into seven apartments. It took the owners 15 years to restore it. About 60% of the 10,000-square-foot house is new. Photo: Gerard Warrener
When redesigning the new sections of the home, the owners were sympathetic to the Victorian era in which it was built. The interior has wood paneling, Victorian moldings and decorative ceilings. It’s decorated with antiques. Photo: Gerard Warrener
This dining table is a replica of a Victorian design that is made in Australia, and the sideboard is a Tasmanian antique from the 1830s. Photo: Gerard Warrener
There are nine antique fireplaces throughout the home. Some are from the original building, and some are 18th-century or 19th-century antiques that the owners procured from Bath and London, in England. Photo: Gerard Warrener
There are six bedrooms and seven bathrooms over three levels (not including the basement, which holds a wine cellar). Mr. Morgan said the green carpets were inspired by the Government House, which is the office and official residence of the governor of Victoria. Photo: Gerard Warrener
The house is surrounded by manicured lawns and hedges, as well as courtyards dotted with stone statues. Photo: Gerard Warrener
The modern kitchen is built with cedar cabinets and hardwood countertops. Photo: Gerard Warrener
There’s a guest house at the back of the home with folding doors that open to the swimming pool. It has a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen upstairs—and a recreation area on the ground floor. Photo: Gerard Warrener
The couple decided to sell the house because their four children have left home. They have bought a smaller place in Melbourne that was built in 1867. ‘It is unique, too, we are the third owners of that house,’ Mr. Morgan said. Photo: Gerard Warrener
This home was listed in May for offers of more than A$10 million (US$9.3 million). ‘It’s an extremely large house, and it would be suitable for a large family or embassy or consulate,’ Mr. Morgan said. Photo: Gerard Warrener
Jock Langley of Abercomby’s Real Estate has the listing. Photo: Gerard Warrener

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