The high-end names in real estate that help to sell ultra prestige homes

There are particular names behind the creation of Melbourne’s mansions that cause a quick draw of the chequebook from multi-millionaire buyers.

Certain interior designers, architects, landscapers and stylists have the golden touch – their input on glamour projects, which are mostly concentrated in the leafy eastern suburbs, can command the big bucks.

Wealthy buyers of ultra prestige property – classed as above $10 million in Melbourne, and a lot more than that sum in Sydney – speak their own language.

Names like interior designer Thomas Hamel, landscape designer Paul Bangay and architects Allan Powell, Nicholas Day and Stephen Jolson, and the Carr Design Group, carry enormous weight when talking about buying and selling within the highest strata of the market.

In the plush world of luxury interiors, the late Stuart Rattle will always have cachet with well-to-do buyers.

The designer was murdered by his partner in 2013, and mourned by Melbourne society. Rattle’s clients included the who’s who of business – a roll call of executives at the Paris end of Collins Street, who had a taste for his signature opulence.

Rattle put his touch on 10 St Georges Road in Toorak, which is on the market with agency Kay & Burton.

Architect Marcus Martin designed homes in Toorak and South Yarra between the 1920s and ’50s. One of his creations, at 205 Kooyong Road, is for sale and, although looking a little tired, his trademarks are a drawcard for buyers wanting a true Melbourne trophy home.

Stephen Jolson is an architect whose commissions come from the top-end of town.

His striking 20 Linlithgow Avenue in Toorak is expected to sell for about  $15 million. Its showpiece is a three-storey void at the entrance, stretching from the basement indoor swimming pool.

Architect Nicholas Day’s name often pops up in luxury listings. He is responsible for several homes for sale across Melbourne’s blue ribbon belt, including Toorak’s 10 St Georges Road, 2/23 Tintern Avenue, 10 Woorigoleen Road, 1A Cleeve Court and another home near the Kooyong Village that is so exclusive, its address been omitted from the listing.

Marshall White’s Peter Bennison, who is selling the undisclosed Toorak home, said like buying a Mercedes Benz, highest-end house hunters are especially drawn to properties by Day.

“Without doubt, it is the start of people thinking, ‘if he has done it, it must be good’,” Mr Bennison said.

“They have the right gardens, the right pool – the right accessories to go with it. The accessories are naturally all of those things you’d expect. It is like going to a top of the range restaurant – presentation is always right. 

“When you buy a Prada dress, you know what you are getting.”

Mr Bennison said Paul Bangay is a very strong name in prestige property circles.

Bangay, the green thumb to the top-end of town, has created the gardens for the Melbourne property which is speculated to smash the Victorian $26 million real estate sales record.

At 4 Robertson Street, Toorak, the home owned by businessman Tony Smorgon and his wife Jennifer has a 25-metre pool at the rear and an outdoor fireplace, under a vine-draped terrace, in the secluded front garden.

The property, listed by Marshall White’s Marcus Chiminello, hit the market on Saturday.

The furniture, which is being sold with the property, has been curated by Thomas Hamel, who is in demand around the world.

Kay & Burton agent Michael Gibson said select names in luxury property circles have “selling power” for the vendor.

“They get their reputations because of their beautiful work, so I think these people have a genuine following in the marketplace,” Mr Gibson said.

“When we have a property that has had the influence of someone who is well known, we would always put that name in any marketing material and there is a reason for that, because it is a drawcard.”