Luxury Real Estate

By Jock Langley of Abercromby's Real Estate

Australian Developer and Fund Manager Ashington has announced it will auction the historic Stables building in Malvern, Victoria – Australia, via a six week campaign to be managed by Abercromby’s Real Estate in Armadale. Located within the grounds of the Stonington Mansion, one of Australia’s finest historic homes, the rare and unique property is a first time offering as a standalone residence.

The Stables is located in Somers Avenue, Malvern adjacent to the Stonington Mansion, which reportedly sold for more than $18 million to art dealer Rob Menzies about 12 months ago.

The property is part of a 1.7 hectare site acquired by Ashington in June, 2008 and forms part of the site’s original three buildings, which include the historic Stonington Mansion as well as the Gatehouse.

The Stables building is located on 2046 square metres of land with 540m2 of internal space over two levels. It offers a “blank canvas” with the unique chance to create a contemporary home with huge accompanying gardens.

Abercromby’s Real Estate Director Jock Langley said that with the top end of the market still quite active in the Stonnington Region, he expects a result that will reflect the unique nature of the property.

According to Langley, property sales in the area of Malvern have seen moderate growth over the past year despite some turbulent market conditions and he expects to see more than $4 million for the Stables at auction.

Langley added that the New Year has seen a surge in property enquiry from overseas due to the weakening Australian dollar, as well as strong domestic enquiry due to the easing of interest rates.

“This may well be the stimulus for property enthusiasts both locally and from abroad,” he said.

Ashington Executive Director Craig Minahan said that the Stables property represented a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a part of history. “The possibilities that accompany this property are endless and we are expecting it to be hotly contested,” he said, adding that early enquiries have even filtered through from expats offshore.

Arranged around a central courtyard of dramatic dimensions, the Stables currently features two separate wings as well as expansive upstairs proportions, living and entertaining areas.

The building itself exemplifies Victorian architecture with expansive central courtyard and features coachwork brickwork and a bluestone foundation.

By Robert Lockard

I’m happy to report that the 3rd Annual Luxury Real Estate European Conference was recently held Thursday, January 24th to Friday, January 25th, in Salzburg, Austria.

Many high-profile brokers attended this event to discuss luxury real estate markets and trends. José Ribes Bas with Rimontgó, Philippe Furer with Furer SA, and Allison Harvey with Arizona Best Real Estate are a few of the featured speakers and panel members who shared their insights.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend. But Bente Madtsen, the Global Services Director with LuxuryRealEstate.com, flew from Seattle to Austria for the conference and she took copious notes. She and I worked together to write a news release detailing the great things that took place there. Click here to read that news release.

I’ll get back to my usual discussion of additional luxury real-estate trends I think are important next week. Just so you know, I live north of Seattle, and I got buried by snow on Monday and I was unable to get to work, so I’ve been trying to catch up all week. There is a lot I’d like to discuss next week, so I hope the weather won’t interfere too much. I hope that you’ll have a nice weekend!


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard (that’s me!) is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I’ve heard that snowstorms are much worse in the Midwest and East Coast right now, so I hope I don’t sound ungrateful for the gentle Pacific Northwest weather. By the way, check out www.luxuryrealestate.com/conference for information on our next conference in April!

John Brian Losh speaking at Luxury Real Estate's 12th Annual European Ski Trip.

By Bente Madtsen

I am off to our 3rd Annual Luxury Real Estate European Conference, which will be held in Salzburg, Austria on January 24 and 25. I will be spending time with luxury brokers and agents from 10 different countries to network and discuss the latest trends in the luxury real estate industry.

With the dollar still weak, I feel it is important to look to other countries for trends and practices and do what you can to gain knowledge and build new relationships with the industry’s elite. How can you turn the weak dollar to your advantage? Market your properties to an international clientele – get an edge over your competitor.

Ask me how. Please contact me at Bente@luxuryrealestate.com.


Editor’s Note:
Bente Madtsen is the Global Services Director with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She is extremely knowledgeable about international luxury real estate, so I highly recommend taking her up on her offer.

By Staci Colville

This is my first time dabbling in blog writing, so I hope you’ll bear with me as I find my voice and share things that are important to me and, hopefully, you. I want to write about something interesting and significant, and the thing that matches those criteria, and is currently on the front of my mind, is our annual European Conference. It will be beginning tomorrow in Salzburg, Austria, and I am personally so excited to hear how it will go! I hope they send us a video for our blog so we can be kept in the loop.

Wishing everyone who is attending safe travels!


Editor’s Note:
Staci Colville is an Account Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She helps members take advantage of the various services of LuxuryRealEstate.com. She has such a great sense of humor. I’m definitely excited to read more from her next week!

By John Brian Losh

John Brian Losh, the publisher and CEO of LuxuryRealEstate.com, shares some great insights before leaving for the 3rd Annual Luxury Real Estate European Conference: