Andrew Cox: former Melbourne Rebels owner lists Brighton mansion
Former Melbourne Rebels rugby club owner Andrew Cox (right) has listed his Brighton mansion with a price guide of $18m-$19.8m. Picture: Michael Dodge
Former Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby club owner and businessman Andrew Cox has listed his spectacular Brighton mansion, following reports he owed millions of dollars in debt.
If his seven-bedroom Italianate residence at 3 Moule Avenue sells within its advertised $18m-$19.8m range, it will rank among the exclusive Bayside suburb’s most expensive homes.
The residential price record is held by 39 Seacombe Grove, which late 7-Eleven co-founder Beverley Barlow paid $22m for in May 2015.
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Mr Cox owns the lavish seven-bedroom residence with his wife, Sarah.
Original period details have been combined with modern updates.
A glittering marble kitchen.
Abercromby’s Armadale director Jock Langley said the Cox family was selling to downsize.
Mr Cox, who was born in New Zealand, owns private equity fund the Imperium Capital Group, which owns a number of tourism and hospitality brands including Website Travel, Discount Travel Direct, OzExperience, Outback Tour Services and the Discovery Adventure Group.
The home is set on a 1345sq m block.
Charming fireplaces, chandeliers and decorative cornices and ceiling roses add to the heritage appeal.
His business operates premium hotels including the Spire and Eichardts Private hotels in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Mr Cox also previously owned the TGI Fridays restaurant chain.
He famously bought the Rebels in 2015 before selling his shares in them to the Victorian Rugby Union.
A freestanding bath is a drawcard in the bathroom.
And a hotel-grade bar is equipped to quench even the most serious of thirsts.
He reportedly paid $1 for the Rebels license when it was originally granted to him by the Australian Rugby Union.
New Zealand media and the ABC reported last year that Mr Cox was hoping for a bailout by the Queensland Government for a $9.6m debt owed to Australian and New Zealand tourism operators.
Mr Langley said he was unaware if Mr Cox planned to remain in Brighton or move to another suburb.
But he said the home had a “good pedigree”, having been previously owned by high-profile businessmen including Seek co-founder Andrew Bassat.
Abercromby’s agent Jock Langley said the home was perfect for entertaining.
It even has a self-contained two-bedroom guest wing.
Another former owner, he said, was the late disgraced Melbourne businessman Gavin Muir.
Mr Muir was the director of the audio and visual equipment supplier TEAC Australia and died owing more than $130m in debt.
CoreLogic records show it last sold in 2006 for $5.71m.
Mr Cox’s home, named “Narellan”, is set on a 1345sq m block in the heart of Brighton’s coveted Golden Mile.
Seek co-founder Andrew Bassat previously owned the home.
As did the late embattled businessman Gavin Muir.
Mr Langley said the home’s tower had breathtaking views of the bay and the city.
Some of Melbourne’s most elite schools were within a stone’s throw of the property, he said, and the home itself was perfect for entertaining.
“It’s a tower Victorian and they’re really popular,” Mr Langley said.
“They just don’t come up like that, the grandeur of the house and the amenity of the home is second to none.”
Highlights of the period home include a marble kitchen, a self-contained guest wing with two-bedrooms and a commercial-grade butler’s kitchen.
Prospective buyers are expected to come from as far afield as interstate and overseas.
Mr Cox and his wife, Sarah, are selling up to downsize.
The home is within Brighton’s coveted Golden Mile and it’s walking distance from the beach.
The games room is equipped with its own hotel-style bar, and there’s a separate gym, wine cellar and a sauna.
A pool house separate from the primary residence can be converted to a studio or used for extra guest accommodation or for extended family.
There’s also a dual-access driveway and the home is within walking distance to the beach.
Buyers entering the scrum to secure the keys will have to expect plenty of competition.
Mr Langley said he expected interest to come from far and wide for the home, including from interstate and overseas.
Expressions of interest close May 27.
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