Inside Kew's Grand "Prague House"

The landmark Victorian slate-roofed residence, “Prague House”, formally known as “Dunboe” is arguably one of the finest period mansions in Kew, Melbourne.

Set back from Sackville Street, the circa 1880s-built home of 6-bedrooms, 6-bathrooms and 4-car parking is set on approximately 3400sqm of lush gardens with beautiful mature trees that speak to an era of gracious living undertaken on a grand scale.

Today, Prague House offers a heady combination of Victorian elegance — through the restoration of character features such as the original staircase, arches and mantles — and modern amenities for entertaining and living.

Inside, the home’s generous proportions are complemented by 4.5-metre ceilings and exquisite period attributes including ornate external rendering, stained glass windows and ceilings ornately decorated cornices, arches and columns.

Downstairs the entrance hall features a tessellated tile that leads to a large study, formal sitting room and dining room with an arched bay window and Black Belgian mantle alongside a billiards room. The home sees 12 (yes, 12) marble mantels, with eight of them in original condition.

Central to the home’s function is the expansive contemporary family domain boasting herringbone parquetry floors and incorporating a kitchen equipped with stone benchtops, an island bench and prestige Smeg appliances plus a butler’s pantry.

Upstairs features the flexibility of five bedrooms including a sumptuous main with walk-in-robes, and a glorious ensuite with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking the rear gardens as well as a retreat or playroom and a family bathroom.

The covered pool helps the home’s entertaining space transition from indoors to outdoors and accompanies the alfresco entertaining area that is completed by a barbeque kitchen that overlooks the night-lit tennis court.

Also found on the grounds are large lawn areas, retreats and rebuilt Victorian stables uses as a pavilion, outdoor entertainment area or possible self-contained guest accommodation or home office.

The listing is with Marshall White’s Marcus Chiminello (+61 411 411 271) with a price guide of $16.5m – $17.5m; marshallwhite.com.au

Is this Whitsunday’s best home?

Hayman Island may have been ravaged by Cyclone Debbie in 2017, which saw the island, one of the smallest of the major Whitsunday islands, all but shut down, but the 390-hectare paradise has made an extraordinary comeback.

The InterContinental brand took over the island’s only resort, which was completely devastated by the Category 4 cyclone. The same year the cyclone hit, The Residence at Hayman was built, one of just two private residences on the island.

Constructed by Hutchinson Builders, a Tier 1 builder better known for delivering some of South East Queensland’s finest multi-residential developments, the lavish home is made from reinforced concrete with a blend of glass and timber battening.

It was designed by the late, internationally renowned architect Kerry Hill, widely regarded as a key figure in refining tropical modernist architecture. Hill was an island specialist, having designed several major resorts in Bali.

The Residence at Hayman spans three levels and offers over 1,400 sqm of living space, including around 580 sqm of internal living areas. The remainder comprises breezeways, terraces, and balconies designed to embrace the island’s subtropical climate.

Entry to the home is via the upper level, as the property tiers down the site with direct access to the beach. The top and lower levels accommodate most of the home’s eight bedrooms, as well as a study and a double garage with buggy parking, the preferred mode of transport throughout the Whitsundays.

The middle level is home to the main kitchen, living, and dining areas, complete with a full butler’s pantry. It opens to a large, L-shaped terrace featuring an outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining and lounge zones, and a sundeck. The terrace flows to the basalt-clad infinity swimming pool, deck, and cabana with integrated seating, as well as a pool house.

Owners or guests of The Residence also have access to the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort facilities, including 24-hour room service, butler assistance, private chefs, and the resort’s wellness centre.

Whitefox agents Cheyne Fox and Nic Whitehead are marketing The Residence as “a rare and extraordinary find.”

“This is more than just a home, it’s an opportunity to own a piece of paradise, a legacy to share with family and friends for generations to come,” Fox said.

The only other private residence on Hayman Island, Hayman House, is also on the market. Commissioned by Terry Peabody, former billionaire and Transpacific Industries founder, Hayman House was first listed last year with hopes of $27 million, later reportedly reduced to $20 million in early 2025.

Designed by Kerry Hill and also built by Hutchies (in 2010), Hayman House shares a similar design ethos to The Residence, albeit on a smaller scale. Its 18-week construction endured three cyclones, with all site access via the beach, which had to be reinforced to prevent heavy vehicles from sinking into the sand.

Inside Kew’s Grand “Prague House”

The expansive pile is one of the finest Victorian-style homes in Melbourne.

Designed by the late Kerry Hill and built by Hutchinson Builders, The Residence at Hayman Island blends tropical modernism with absolute waterfront luxury.