Jack Merlo sells unrenovated Toorak pile
Jack Merlo has sold another Toorak pile, this one unexpectedly.
The $14.9 million result for 11 Robertson Street is a rise on the $13.6m the revered landscape gardener and his husband, Ricardo, paid in 2021 with it was believed plans to renovate.
It is also a drop on the February guide – c$16-$17m – and later private sale price ($15.5m).
The listing came a month after the pair outlaid a speculated $19m for a Regency style dwelling in the suburb penned in 1936 by Hansen, Yuncken & Griffiths – also behind the Sidney Myer Music Bowl – on Grant Avenue, again intending a major refurbishment.
Those vendors, Baillieu Myer and wife Sarah, also accepted a discount on ($20-$22m) initial price hopes.
Profitable exit
On 1330 square metres with a pool and tennis court, the four bedroom Robertson Street dwelling, developed in 1980, was modernised some years ago.
Marshall White’s Marcus Chiminello and Mandy Zhu were the agents.
The deal 15 months since Mr Merlo sold a 1930s Heyington Place mansion in the suburb to Robert and Elizabeth Zagame for $17.5m.
He paid $7.95m three years earlier then undertook a swank renovation.
In 2023 meanwhile, the gardener divested a c1927 Arthur and Hugh Peck designed Linlithgow Rd, Toorak, mansion, for $12.5m – a big rise on the $8.15m outlaid three years before a full revamp.
Five years ago, Mr Merlo banked $23m for a dramatic new build in the suburb, at 8 Ottawa Rd.
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