Landmark Oak Park mansion where John Fawkner lived poised to smash suburb record

June 2024 · 3 minute read

A landmark 22-room Oak Park mansion established by one of modern Melbourne’s founding fathers is poised to smash the suburb record by millions.

John Pascoe Fawkner built Belle Vue Park on the suburb’s highest point and lived there between 1840 and 1855.

Claudio + Marwan Eview Group director Claudio Cuomo believed with its price guide of $5.65m-$6.15m, 7 Oak Park Court would break the record for its postcode — and the neighbouring one, too.

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The five-bedroom house is classified by the National Trust as a historically significant property and has jaw-dropping highlights including marble floors and fireplaces, gold leaf features and stained glass windows.

Oak Park’s current $2.6m house price record was set by 128 Devereaux St last year, CoreLogic records show.

That four-bedroom property holds the record for Oak Park, Glenroy and Hadfield’s 3046 postcode, while 3044’s $3.3m record was set by 1A Virginia St, Pascoe Vale in 2006.

But Mr Cuomou reckoned Belle Vue Park would top them all.

In 1835, Fawkner, a businessman and politician after whom the suburbs Fawkner and Pascoe Vale were named, financed a party which sailed from Tasmania and organised a settlement near the Yarra River which later became Melbourne.

After he died in 1869, an English family purchased Belle Vue Park and constructed a double-storey Victorian mansion connected to the original home.

Mr Cuomo described the property as “one of the most unique in the area” with its grand hallway entrance, chandeliers, billiard room and manicured gardens set on 3544sq m.

“It has soaring 16 feet (4.87m) ceilings and a grand atmosphere,” he said.

“The classic U-shaped driveway is like something out of a Hollywood movie, it’s reminiscent of Toorak or a Kooyong-type estate.”

Barbara and John Liberman purchased Belle Vue Park in 1992 as their family home.

They spent years restoring the abode, including rewiring, replastering and adding a swim spa room and bullnose veranda.

“It wasn’t really that grand when we saw it, it needed a lot of work done,” Ms Liberman said.

“It was really bad, the floorboards were shocking.”

Ms Liberman said sitting outside on the veranda “feels like you’re living in the country, it’s very tranquil”.

Expressions of interest close 3pm Wednesday May 18.

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Originally published as Landmark Oak Park mansion where John Fawkner lived poised to smash suburb record

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