South Yarra's The Tilba private auction looms
Abercromby’s agent Rob Vickers-Willis has listed The Tilba, an ornate South Yarra landmark.
The six bedroom, six bathroom house at 30 Toorak Road West, South Yarra was once one of Melbourne’s best known boutique hotel.
But since 2006 it has been home to Li Cunxin, author of the 2003 best-selling book, Mao’s Last Dancer, which later became a movie blockbuster of the same name.
Li and his wife Mary transformed the 1907 home into a private residence on its 427 square metre block, but are selling now after moving to Brisbane given Li’s role as artistic director for the Queensland Ballet.
Li and his wife, Mary, also a dancer, have lived opposite Fawkner Park, with their three children Sophie, 25, Tom, 22 and Bridie, 17.
It’s up for private auction on 19 March with agents Hugh Hardy and Rob Vickers Willis expecting interest at $4.5 million plus.
The double-storey Edwardian on the corner of Toorak Road West and Domain Street was run by the McGregor family for around two decades.
It was Felix O'Connor who built the hotel using architect William H. Webb and builder W. Hannah of Carlton.
The building was originally known as Fawkner Lodge.