Marcus Martin-designed 1930s Mansion in South Yarra Lists for $7m+

A large Spanish Revival home on South Yarra’s Marne Street listed today with a fittingly large expectations of $7m+. The architect behind the asymmetric edifice is Marcus Martin, the prolific society architect (the Mark Sutter of his day, if you will) of the inter-war years in Melbourne. Martin’s signature Spanish Revival style reflected the overall trend in Australian society to emulate the stylings of Hollywood design; Australians finally began to look to the climactically similar California for design inspiration instead of the outdated Victorian aesthetic that previously dominated the suburban landscape. Marcus Martin’s homes (and country homesteads) featured exceedingly “modern” interiors of the time.

But back to 3 (or 7?) Marne Street. The single family home is now on a motley street dotted with homes and apartment blocks from every notable architectural period in the Australian domestic tradition. The 6 bedroom home sits on a large 1,110 sqm block with an indoor swimming pavilion. It needs a hefty renovation to match the price, but its architectural pedigree justifies the expense. Michael Gibson and Andrew Baines of Kay & Burton South Yarra have the listing.