Another reblog …
(I stole this image from SealASash who did Minarto’s windows in December)
I saw this place yesterday. I’ve been driving along the Lancefield road several times a year since 1990 and have never seen this mansion until yesterday when coming home from visiting the in-laws! I glimpsed it between the trees which – it turned out – had not long been trimmed, with all the dead ones removed. It was an awesome sight. I didn’t take any photos of my own as I was a bit daunted by the trespass sign which said something like this …
We wouldn’t dare jump your fence and poke around your home. Please don’t do it to ours.
Well said. So I contented myself with parking the car and having a quick look. Since this article, the home has again changed hands when it proved too big an undertaking for the couple who first bought it. The price was $2,850,000 this time and restoration is underway. A Melbourne couple have purchased it and intend to restore the house and grounds sympathetic to the original. Next time I will take my own photos from the roadside.
Go check out the photos on this blog …
Mintaro, Monegeetta
Auction SOLD
‘Mintaro’ is an imposing Italianate country mansion just outside of Melbourne. The house is being put up for auction in November with a reserve price of $3 million. (Update: The house sold for $3 million).
The 2-storey rendered brick home was built in 1881-1882 for Captain Robert Gardiner at a cost of £22,000. It was designed by prominent architect James Gall, who also designed the ‘Frognall’ and ‘Noorilim’ mansions.
The design was said to be influenced by Osborne House – Queen Victoria’s summer residence on the Isle of Wight, but it also described as a small replica of Melbourne’s Government House (built 1876).
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Christine R 
Very impressive. $3m seems bit cheap. Wonder if the Mrs. does all the housework.
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LOL. 7 bedrooms apparently and 10 other rooms I think I read. Old Mr Rea – it was in his family for 78 years- ended up a recluse and living in only two rooms and wouldn’t spend money doing it up even though he had it. In 1945 the army took it over and the tanks ruined the drainage system and made part of the back drop, but not too bad. In 1941, they’d already compulsory acquired the land next for door – it has an industrial looking complex for testing heavy machinery. The mansion still has the butler’s pantry and the original bathroom – just the one. I do hope they have open days when it is done. But they might just like to keep it private. Expected to cost a few million to do up – wouldn’t it be lovely!
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Beautiful place, great for t.v. ads, shows, movies as well. Look at all the history, as they say, if only the walls could speak.
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Gorgeous and it will be a treat to see it all fixed up. Who the heck needs all those rooms.How many people will it take to keep clean? Glad I don’t have those kinds of worries. Ha ha ha.
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There is a two-story servants quarters out the back!
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No attics or dungeons. On my. ❤ 😀
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Oh well, can always take in B & B if things get a bit tight.
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Most of these sort of places do wedding receptions in the grounds, or wedding photos. Any B&B would be outside our price bracket. 😀
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