Historic mansion Shrublands is on the market for the fourth time in three years

One of Melbourne's largest private holdings is once again on the market after failing to sell three times in the past three years.

Known as 'Shrublands', the colossal mansion in Canterbury has had a tough time finding a buyer in recent years.

According to property data, the home was last sold in February 2021 for $29 million, despite a price guide of $42 million to $46 million.

CoreLogic records show the manse was purchased by Melbourne businessman, toy importer and Gold Coast developer Alan Ali, who has since tried to sell the property three times.

It was listed in September 2022, March 2023 with a $37 million to $40 million asking range, and February 2024 combined with a "derelict" property next door for $48.8 million.

Fourth time's a charm

The Italianate mansion is once again back on the market with a price range of $31 million to $34 million.

Director of Marshall White Stonnington, Marcus Chiminello, has the listing along with sales executive Mandy Zhu.

The listing states that the 6500-square-metre property offers "a landmark, world-class estate in the golden mile of Canterbury".

"Since its establishment in the 1860s, the fact that 'Shrublands' has been owned by only three families throughout its remarkable history reflects the rarity of the opportunity to acquire this spectacular mansion."

Entry into the palatial two-storey home begins with a grand external staircase.

Inside, the mansion features formal living and dining rooms, grand dining hall, sitting room, fully-equipped kitchen and butler's pantry, and an impressive nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

Luxury amenities within the home include a basement cinema, billiards room, wine cellar, sauna, gym and lounge.

The home is filled with all the resplendent details one would expect, including crystal chandeliers, gold-leaf detailing, extravagant usage of marble throughout and elaborate cornices and mouldings.

Some of the rooms appear as if they've been transported from the Palace of Versailles, while others have a more contemporary look.

Also on the estate is a caretaker's apartment and pool house that features an indoor swimming pool, kitchen and living area and two upstairs bedrooms.

Much like the home itself, the grounds of the estate exude grandeur and stateliness with mature trees, landscaped gardens, a flood-lit tennis court, heated piazza, water fountain, and parking for 10 cars.

As the listing states "very few original mansions of this calibre still exist in Australia."

The history of Shrublands

Built circa 1863, Shrublands was designed by architect John Flanagan and was the home of London-born dentist Ernest Carter.

Carter, an early vigneron, established a vineyard at the property which produced Shrublands wine in the 1860s and 1870s when Boroondara was a premier wine area in Victoria.

In 1883, Carter subdivided the 60 acre estate and sold Shrublands to stockbroker John Hindson on a smaller plot of eight acres.

After Hindson's death, his widow gave the property to the Anglican Church in 1924, during which it operated as St John's Home for Boys.

It was sold back into private hands in 2003 and extensively renovated to suit modern life.

Heritage Victoria considers the home to be of "historical and architectural significance" to the State of Victoria as an example of an 1860s Italianate mansion with Renaissance and Classical styling.

"Shrublands is of historical significance as an example of a wealthy professional man's country house in nineteenth century Victoria and as such is an example of expression of wealth and influence and the associated lifestyle," states the Victorian Heritage Database Report.