Right royal city listing as developer Prince Bhalla offers Punch Lane apartment

IT entrepreneur Prince Bhalla is offloading a family-sized home in the fashionable laneway some say kick-started the concept of CBD living in the 1980s.

Punch Lane didn’t do this by offering flats. Most of its dwellings, such as No. 21, which was listed this week by Kay & Burton’s Sarah Case, are private dwellings on individual land plots, with a driveway beside a front-door street entrance.

Over four levels, Case’s listing, completed in 1989, includes a double garage, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two balconies and a study.

With stunning close-range skyscraper views over Melbourne institution Rosas Kitchen restaurant (run by culinary maven Rosa Mitchell, pictured) across the road, Punch Lane is also close to a variety of theatre precincts – a factor said to have attracted many millionaires to the area.

In 1983, a successful developer replaced a multi-storey warehouse in the tiny street, with four townhouses – keeping one for himself.

Punch Lane townhouses are still among the city’s most highly contested real estate, largely because of their now incredibly rare, private-home design. Bhalla, who heads consultancy Ambika Bleue, can expect more than $1.9 million following an expressions-of-interest campaign closing next month. MP

See more at: domain.com.au/2012789776

PRETTY PENNY FOR PRAHRAN
The price record for inner-city Prahran is believed to have been broken, on the down low.

An off-market transaction, rumoured to be about $13 million, is whispered to have been inked for a home in Grandview Parade.

The price – Toorak money for a much younger suburb – well eclipses the previous benchmark of $7.5 million.

RT Edgar agent Oliver Booth is understood to have handled the sale.

Booth declined to comment on any aspect of the transaction, including the speculated price. EP

REEL-LIFE LISTING
Creative pair Lisa and Richard Keddie, owners of The Film Company, are selling a shop-top apartment in South Melbourne.

The flat at 3 Park Place, with two bedrooms (one that could also be a study, or sitting area, as it is an open mezzanine above the living and dining area) – is expected to sell for more than $580,000 at auction on June 4.

The Keddies, whose company has produced feature films Oddball starring Shane Jacobson (pictured) and Little Fish and a mini-series on Bob Hawke, are being represented by Marshall White One’s Matthew Grima and Sam Friend. MP

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ON SONG FOR A SALE
Musician Martin Kennedy – who works with Steve Kilbey, of The Church fame, may not be collaborating from 68 Henkel Street, in Brunswick, for much longer.

The artist can expect $800,000 to $880,000 for his double-fronted, part-weatherboard at 68 Henkel Street, which Jellis Craig’s Lisa Roberts will auction on June 18.

The two-bedroom-plus-study home, with a large attic storage area, occupies a 259-square-metre parcel – the backyard fitted with two entertaining zones and a garden. MP

See more at: domain.com.au/2012819123

Shhh​
A monster eight-figure sale is believed to have been inked for the grand 867 Glenferrie Road, Kew. The romantic Victorian manor is known and loved in Melbourne as the Buttleigh Wootton reception house, built in 1884. The price expected during the campaign was about $10 million, and rumours are that Kay & Burton agent Scott Patterson, who declined to comment, achieved just that last week. EP 

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YOU WISH
HAWTHORN
$5.95M

The Italianate Victorian mansion at 894 Glenferrie Road stands tall among the city’s most historic properties.

Behind the privacy of automatic gates, the home is distinctive in the area for its imposing tower, which captured city vistas.

Lovingly restored, the voluminous floor plan and period features have all the hallmarks of a classic trophy home.

Tick off a reception room, elegant formal dining room, which is being used as a billiards room, and a 1500-capacity wine cellar, for many priceless bottles of plonk.

At the rear is a gas-heated swimming pool, with an adjoining deck and terrace for a sav blanc by the water.

The property has been gently updated, with an imperceptible flow between the old and the new. The kitchen has every mod con, with steel benches and double walk-in pantries.

The home has five generous bedrooms, including master with an ensuite, plus a study and a drawing room.

Landscape architect John Patrick is responsible for the lush gardens. 

Abercromby’s agent Jock Langely is the agent to see, asking $5.95 million. EP 

See more at: domain.com.au/2012692066

STOP THE PRESS
Former newspaper journalist Chris de Kretser and his wife Anita are offering up their swish South Melbourne pad. The three-bedroom apartment at 2103/50 Albert Road is on the cusp of Albert Park Lake, regarded as one of the best addresses in town. The main bedroom has its own balcony, as does the sweeping living area. The building at 50 Albert has a landscaped rooftop with city and sparkling bay views, a 24-hour concierge, poker room and lounge. Kay & Burton’s Gary Ormrod is the agent to see, expecting $1,545,000. EP See more at: domain.com.au/2012656160

ELEVATED LIVING
Developer Basil Salvaris is selling a double-storey residence at 2/125 Canterbury Road, Toorak. The penthouse is expected to exchange for more than $2.5 million after a private midweek auction on May 31. It includes three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fitted-out study zone and a large, open-plan living area adjoining one of three terraces. The oversized apartment, being marketed by Kay & Burton’s Peter Kudelka, also includes two basement car parks, providing lift access to the home, just one of two on the site. MP See more at: domain.com.au/2012776183