An eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom Italianate villa on the market offers something for everyone, whether you’re a Hollywood celebrity searching for a calm hideaway from the press or a tree changer looking for a magnificent property with a business to manage.

The enormous edifice – originally a 5-star boutique spa hotel – is in Kalorama, 40 kilometers east of Melbourne, yet seems a world apart from city life, perched high in the Dandenong Ranges with stunning views from every room.

“This is such an interesting property in such an amazing location,” said Missell Property Group agent Craig Missell, who is overseeing the sale. “It’s a beautiful area with a unique property.”

“It was solidly built of brick in the 1960s, and no expense was spared in fitting it out with very expensive Italian tiles and terracotta throughout, and it’s been well maintained over the years.” It’s like a beautiful Tuscan house, and I can see someone famous buying it for seclusion, or someone who wants to live there and manage part of it as a hotel again.”

The mansion, located at 13 Barbers Road and priced between $2,552,000 to $2,807,200, has already piqued the curiosity of 27 groups during its first open for inspection.

folks from Melbourne searching for a change, folks from rural Victoria, and one from Queensland were among them. Post-pаndemic, there is still a high demand for residences in the Dandenong and Yarra ranges that are both scenic and within driving distance of the city.

The little community of Kalorama is most renowned for its observation platform with views of the hills, woods, and lush green fields – the same view as this house – as well as its 22-hectare park and the Silvan Reservoir. The term Kalorama means “beautiful view” in Greek.

“We’re finding many people are still wanting to get away from the city and, in the last two years, we haven’t sold a single home in the Yarra Ranges to someone who comes from the area,” Missell said. “They’ve all been bought by people from elsewhere.

“We’re expecting cashed-up buyers who’d really like to make this a fabulous home for themselves, or who’d like it as a hybrid residence and business for this kind of price, somewhere north of $2.5 million.” It would operate nicely either way with the living quarters upstairs for the owner or guests.”

The structure was first built as a motel, then as a hotel and health resort, and most recently as an immense private residence. The present owners intend to relocate to be closer to their grandchildren.