Birkenstock heir pays $8m cash for Melbourne mansion
Fresh from paying $83.5 million cash for a Rose Bay, Sydney, mansion, Birkenstock heir Klaus ‘Alex’ Birkenstock and wife, Vanessa, have bought a Melbourne base.
The historic Totnes in Brighton cost $8m.
The price was against a guide of $9.25-$9.75m when the Victorian was listed mid last year.
Local travel agent Catherine Henderson was the seller, outlaying $3.75m in 2013.
The executive was also responsible for a renovation.
Like Rose Bay, Totnes was paid for in cash.
Prime position
On 1169 square metres in curved Middle Crescent, opposite Wilson Reserve, Totnes was built in 1890 for dentist John Davy, with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two living and dining areas, a rumpus room and billiards room.
A home office with a terrace is built into a tower accessed from a wrought iron spiral staircase.
Other heritage features include herringbone parquetry floors, a semi-grand archway and ornate ceiling frames.
There is also a double garage, alfresco areas, established gardens and pool.
The dwelling is in the immediate vicinity of Melville, another c1880 Victorian, twice owned by late cricketer Shane Warne, who mosaiced a 23 – his domestic and One Day International shirt number – into a pool which was last year razed as part of an extension (continues below).
Since 2018, that sprawling single storey home on 3008 sqm is held by Equis Australia chief and former Macquarie banker, David Russell, who outlaid $18.89m.
Late last year the suburb’s imposing Kinane, sometimes dubbed Brighton Town Hall, on a 3200 sqm waterfront block, sold to apartment developer Lowe Living, for a speculated $25m.
Another cash deal
Mr Birkenstock is speculated to have a net worth approaching US$2 billion.
The couple were recently revealed as the buyer of a contemporary Rose Bay home it is believed will be the pair’s main Australian base.
That seller was Lawrence Myers, chief executive officer of Consolidated Press Holdings, James Packer’s family office, and wife, Sylvia.
Kay & Burton’s Alex Schiavo and James Driver marketed Totnes.
The property settled mid-December.
Brighton is about 11 kilometres south east of town.
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