Boutique developers trade historic Kilburn
EXCLUSIVE
Boutique apartment builder Abadeen Group has picked up East Melbourne’s historic Kilburn, later known as private hospitals, Mena House and Cliveden Hill House.
The Sydney developer, led in Victoria by ex-Melbourne footballer and CBRE sales executive, Andrew Leoncelli, agreed mid last year to pay $17 million – a tad less than guide upon being listed late 2023.
A residential conversion retaining the c1878 building is planned.
Kennon has been appointed architect.
Lyons Development Group was the vendor.
That Melbourne company paid $13m in 2022 before winning a permit to build three townhouses around the heritage protected portions of the dwelling.
Christie’s Sean Cussell was the agent.
Apartment proposal
Covering 1375 square metres at 29-37 Simpson Street, on the south west corner of George, Kilburn was named by the owner and builder, timber merchant, David Blair (story continues below).
It was converted to Mena House Hospital by nurse Elizabeth Glover in 1900.
Between 1930-1986, the property was controlled by The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Since the 1990s, it has been known as the Cliveden Hill Private Hospital and an Epworth.
The Lyons development, penned by Karl Fender, would have seen the demolition of “add-ons” from recent decades.
It would also have reinstated Welsh slate roofing, like the Blair design.
Abadeen, behind some 80 Sydney projects, proposed its first in Melbourne, Malea on the Park in East Malvern, three years ago.
It recently acquired a Prahran East site for another medium density residential complex.
The Simpson St property is less than two kilometres from the CBD.
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