Moonee Ponds: Historic ‘house of romance’ where Underbelly was filmed awaits a new owner
The first season of the television show Underbelly, starring actor Vince Colosimo, filmed at 40 Ardmillan Rd, Moonee Ponds. Pictures: Supplied.
A 16-room Victorian Italianate mansion in Moonee Ponds where the television show Underbelly was filmed has hit the market with a $7.8m-$8.58m asking range.
The heritage-listed house at 40 Ardmillan Rd was previously owned by former North Melbourne player and board member Mark Dawson and his wife, interior designer Sharon Dawson, who sold to the current owners in 2008.
Nelson Alexander’s David Vaughan described the 1888-built property as “a house of romance” because its original owner, Melbourne shop owner St Salvadore Alfred Case, commissioned the home to be named Rosina after his wife.
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Set on 1455sq m of landscaped gardens, the five-bedroom house features ornate plasterwork on the ceilings, open fireplaces with marble mantelpieces and a triple-storey tower including a gym, two landings and a top-floor study.
In 2001, after consulting with heritage experts, the Dawsons rebuilt the tower which had been demolished in 1935.
“It has 360-degree views of the city and planes taking off and landing at Tullamarine, it’s not something I’ve experienced before,” Mr Vaughan said.
There’s a large in-ground pool in the north-facing rear garden.
High ceilings with detailed plasterwork in the living and kitchen areas.
Windows from the tower offer Melbourne city views.
Rosina also boasts a backyard pool and entertaining area.
Indoors, there’s three bathrooms, a formal lounge, rumpus room, open living space and a separate dining area next to the kitchen with Miele appliances.
“It’s very ornate and very grand, it’s just one of a kind – there is nothing similar to the home in Moonee Valley,” Mr Vaughan said.
Then-North Melbourne coach Ron Barassi with players Graeme Melrose and Mark Dawson. in 1977. Mr Dawson played 58 games for the Kangaroos in the 1970s.
The greenery outside provides a sense of privacy.
The first season of Underbelly starred George Kapiniaris, Les Hill, Simon Westerway, Gerard Kennedy, Gyton Grantley, Martin Sacks, Vince Colosimo, Kevin Harrington and Callan Mulvey.
Scenes from Underbelly’s first season were filmed at Rosina.
Aired in 2008, the Australian television series’ original season depicted the Melbourne gangland killings of 1995-2004, which saw 36 criminal figures and other people killed.
The TV program was based on the book Leadbelly: Inside Australia’s Underworld by journalists Andrew Rule and John Silvester.
The house was built in 1888 and is heritage listed by Moonee Valley Council.
Rosina is located close to private schools, Moonee Ponds train station, shops and cafes.
One of the five bedrooms.
Actor Gyton Grantley portrayed Carl Williams’ rise to become a major drug kingpin.
His co-stars included Vince Colosimo as Alphonse Gangitano, Martin Sacks as Mario Condello, Gerard Kennedy as Graham Kinniburgh and Les Hill and Callan Mulvey as brothers Jason and Mark Moran.
Offspring’s Kat Stewart played Carl’s wife Roberta and other cast members included Alex Dimitriades, Kym Gyngell and Marcus Graham.
Expressions of interest in Rosina will close at 6pm on November 30.
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