Former Kew home of Sir Robert Menzies sold pre-auction

The former Kew home of the longest serving prime minister Sir Robert Menzies has been snapped up pre-auction having been listed with $4.5 million hopes. 

Talgai, the 1890s property on leafy Charles Street, played home to the Menzies family in the early 1920's.  

Their time in the five bedroom, three bathroom property was brief however as by 1924 the family had moved into their newly built Grange Road, Culdares, a reference to the eponymous Scottish seat of the Menzies clan.  

Jellis Craig agents Campbell Ward and Richard Winneke secured the sale of Talgai which last sold in 1985 for $322,000 when bought by the Curtin family.  

The property, which was rented from the printer and engraver, Charles Shugg, was where Bob and Pattie's second son, Robert was born. 

Winneke has also sold other Melbourne houses lived in by Menzies – in nearby Howard Street and in Reid Street in Balwyn. 

After his 1966 retirement, Sir Robert and Dame Patti Menzies famously lived at Haverbrack Avenue, Malvern. Witty Menzies dubbed Haverbrack Avenue "have a look avenue" on taking up residence.

This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.