Once a grand symbol of Melbourne’s elite social history, Cloyne, the Toorak mansion with royal ties, faces a new chapter as its heritage status galvanises interest from buyers eager to restore its Georgian Revival splendour amidst ongoing disrepair.
A once-grand mansion in Toorak, Melbourne, known as Cloyne, is making headlines as it transitions from a state of utter disrepair to a potential new chapter in its storied history. Originally constructed in 1926 for Louis Nelken, a former butler to King George VI, the stately residence has deep ties to the British royal family as well as to Melbourne’s elite social circles. Recently listed with an asking price between $4.75 million and $5.225 million, the property was sold just before its scheduled auction, though exact sale details remain undisclosed.
Cloyne, designed by the esteemed architect Harold Desbrowe Annear, stands as one of the most significant examples of the Georgian Revival style in Australia. The house was commissioned for Nelken and his wife and has long been a site of grandeur, including lavish charity fundraising events hosted by Nelken in the 1930s through the 1950s. These gatherings attracted some of Melbourne’s most prominent families, solidifying Cloyne’s personal and historical significance in the region. After Nelken moved out in 1955, he hosted a farewell party that included the likes of the Horderns and Myers, marking the end of an era for the residence.
As the years passed, Cloyne fell into various hands. In the 1960s, it became the property of businessman Don Busch, who undertook extensive renovations before his untimely demise in a plane crash in 1970. Despite its illustrious past, the mansion has faced challenges; recent inspections revealed a property that has fallen into disrepair, marred by unfinished renovations and neglect. The expansive building, set on a 1025 square metre block, boasts features such as a grand spiral staircase, a ballroom, and even a timber-panelled study, but much work is needed to restore these elements to their former glory.
As of now, the current ownership of Cloyne is under a ‘council heritage overlay,’ which protects the mansion from demolition, thus ensuring its historical and architectural attributes will be preserved. This status may offer potential buyers unique opportunities, as the property is described by its real estate agents as “resplendent with classically inspired features.” The Jellis Craig Stonnington agency acknowledged the extensive cosmetic work required to rectify years of neglect, but also highlighted the potential for significant architectural restoration.
Interest in Cloyne has piqued not just locally but also from international parties and architectural firms, underscoring its status as a symbol of Melbourne’s heritage. Although the residence’s most recent listing showed it in various stages of decline, its grandeur and historical value remain intact, suggesting that it may well serve as a canvas for someone eager to revisit its former splendour.
The sale has stirred conversations among art and architecture enthusiasts alike, symbolising a deeper narrative about heritage preservation and the joys and tribulations of maintaining historical properties. For those who appreciate the intricate tapestry of Melbourne’s architectural history, Cloyne represents both a tremendous challenge and a remarkable opportunity.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14785977/Its-derelict-mansion-linked-Royals-one-Australias-elite-families-faces-extraordinary-new-future.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.urban.com.au/news/cloyne-the-noteworthy-toorak-trophy-home-sells – This article discusses the sale of Cloyne, a notable Toorak residence, for approximately $3.8 million. Designed by Harold Desbrowe-Annear in 1926 for Louis Nelken, a former royal butler who married into the Baillieu family, Cloyne is one of the few substantially intact homes from the 1920s by Annear. The property features a prominent porte-cochère and has a rich history, including flamboyant charity fundraising parties hosted by Nelken in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In the 1960s, businessman Don Busch owned the property and commissioned extensive renovations before his untimely death in 1970. The article highlights Cloyne’s architectural significance and its status as a Melbourne landmark.
- https://www.urban.com.au/news/cloyne-the-jewelled-toorak-trophy-residence-returns-to-market – This article reports on Cloyne, the landmark Toorak residence, being listed for sale through Sotheby’s International agents. Designed by Harold Desbrowe-Annear in 1926 for Louis Nelken, a former royal family butler who married into the Baillieu family, Cloyne is one of the few substantially intact homes from the 1920s by Annear. The property features a prominent porte-cochère and has a rich history, including flamboyant charity fundraising parties hosted by Nelken in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In the 1960s, businessman Don Busch owned the property and commissioned extensive renovations before his untimely death in 1970. The article highlights Cloyne’s architectural significance and its status as a Melbourne landmark.
- https://www.urban.com.au/news/cloyne-toorak-trophy-mansion-asking-price-reduced-to-3-95-million – This article reports on the reduction of Cloyne’s asking price to $3.95 million. Designed by Harold Desbrowe-Annear in 1926 for Louis Nelken, a former royal family butler who married into the Baillieu family, Cloyne is one of the few substantially intact homes from the 1920s by Annear. The property features a prominent porte-cochère and has a rich history, including flamboyant charity fundraising parties hosted by Nelken in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In the 1960s, businessman Don Busch owned the property and commissioned extensive renovations before his untimely death in 1970. The article highlights Cloyne’s architectural significance and its status as a Melbourne landmark.
- https://www.urban.com.au/news/1920s-toorak-trophy-cloyne-sold – This article reports on the sale of Cloyne, the most glamorous of 1920s Toorak residences. Designed by Harold Desbrowe-Annear in 1926 for Louis Nelken, a former royal family butler who married into the Baillieu family, Cloyne is one of the few substantially intact homes from the 1920s by Annear. The property features a prominent porte-cochère and has a rich history, including flamboyant charity fundraising parties hosted by Nelken in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In the 1960s, businessman Don Busch owned the property and commissioned extensive renovations before his untimely death in 1970. The article highlights Cloyne’s architectural significance and its status as a Melbourne landmark.
- https://www.urban.com.au/news/cloyne-toorak-sells-again-through-sothebys – This article reports on Cloyne, the landmark Toorak residence, being sold again through Sotheby’s International agents. Designed by Harold Desbrowe-Annear in 1926 for Louis Nelken, a former royal family butler who married into the Baillieu family, Cloyne is one of the few substantially intact homes from the 1920s by Annear. The property features a prominent porte-cochère and has a rich history, including flamboyant charity fundraising parties hosted by Nelken in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In the 1960s, businessman Don Busch owned the property and commissioned extensive renovations before his untimely death in 1970. The article highlights Cloyne’s architectural significance and its status as a Melbourne landmark.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
3
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recycled content, with similar reports published as early as 2014. ([urban.com.au](https://www.urban.com.au/news/cloyne-the-noteworthy-toorak-trophy-home-sells?utm_source=openai)) The most recent publication date found is 2016. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
2
Notes:
The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a tabloid newspaper known for sensationalism and occasional inaccuracies. This raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recycled content from as early as 2014, with the most recent publication in 2016. It originates from the Daily Mail, a tabloid known for sensationalism and occasional inaccuracies, raising concerns about its reliability. The inclusion of updated data does not compensate for the recycled nature and questionable source, leading to a ‘FAIL’ assessment.
