Crowning Hawthorn Hill with sweeping panoramic views from Richmond to the CBD skyline, “Kardinia” is a magnificent Victorian mansion of enduring prestige and heritage significance. Built in the early 1890s as part of the historic Creswick Estate, this grand residence has been luxuriously renovated and extended to offer an exceptional six-bedroom, five-bathroom family home, a rare union of 19th-century grandeur and contemporary sophistication, set within an exclusive riverside precinct less than four kilometres from the city.

The Residence

Spanning three lift-accessed levels, Kardinia’s grand proportions create a sanctuary that honours its original splendour while embracing state-of-the-art living. Soaring ceilings of over three metres, open fireplaces, and period detailing set the tone throughout, while the thoughtful contemporary renovation, ensures every modern comfort.

The home offers multiple formal and informal living areas, expansive entertaining and outdoor terrace spaces, and a breathtaking rooftop deck designed to make the utmost of the mesmerising CBD and Yarra Valley views. The palatial main suite features a private terrace with city views, a full dressing room, and a luxurious ensuite with spa bath. A custom chef’s kitchen showcases a full complement of Gaggenau appliances and butler’s pantry, while a wine cellar, private landscaped gardens with a 15-metre lap pool, and internally accessed remote garage complete the picture of refined family living.

The flexible lower ground floor is ideally suited to multi-generational accommodation or self-contained family quarters, offering additional versatility to this already generous home.

A Storied History

Kardinia’s story is woven into the earliest chapters of Melbourne’s eastern settlement. The property sits on land that once formed the Creswick Estate, centred on “The Hawthorns”, a bluestone gabled home built in 1845, believed to be the first dwelling east of the Yarra. Sir Henry Creswick, who acquired the estate in 1852, married Jane Thomson, daughter of Dr Alexander Thomson, the first Mayor of Geelong. When Melbourne’s 19th-century elite sought the beauty of the Yarra and its surrounds, it was here on Hawthorn Hill that they chose to build, and Kardinia stands as one of the finest legacies of that era.

The name “Kardinia” is a Wadawurrung word meaning “sunrise,” “dawn,” or “new beginning”—a fitting tribute chosen by the home’s original owners. The Wadawurrung (also Wathaurong) nation are the traditional custodians of the Bellarine, Geelong, and Western Melbourne regions. The name carries deep cultural resonance, shared with Kardinia Park in Geelong, which was officially named in 1872 and later became the home of the Geelong Football Club.

Architectural Pedigree

While no architect has been definitively identified, the Hawthorn Heritage Study by conservation architect Meredith Gould suggests the residence may be the work of Salway or his protégé, Frank Stapley, practitioners known for the fine homes of this district.l-floor New York loft style residence in the Maples Warehouse Building offers over 500m² of exceptional living in South Yarra’s prized Royal Botanic Gardens precinct. Originally built in 1923 and reimagined in c1979 by Reed, Gunn and Hayball, this iconic former warehouse has been meticulously renovated to world-class standards. Soaring 4m ceilings, original timber and steel trusses, and vast steel-framed windows define a dramatic yet welcoming space.

The apartment features three expansive bedrooms, multiple living zones, two sun-drenched terraces, a formal entry, and a private gym. A spectacular marble island anchors the chef’s kitchen, featuring LaCanche and Miele appliances, where steel and glass meet warm timber in perfect balance. North-facing views stretch across treetops to the city skyline, offering serenity and spectacle in equal measure. Curated, bespoke finishes, and a flawless open plan make this home ideal for both grand entertaining and intimate retreat.

Set amid private gardens with a pool, and moments from elite schools, cafes, tennis courts, and Melbourne’s finest green spaces, this is a rare and irreplaceable offering—where heritage, luxury, and location converge.