Former television news reader Simone Semmens yet to sell off historic 1890s Toorak riverfront Edzell waterfront block
The former television news presenter-turned-spin doctor Simone Semmens has yet to find a $9 million buyer for the riverfront building block within her historic 1890s Toorak riverfront estate, Edzell.
Semmens listed the 1,800-square-metre vacant block through RT Edgar agent David Colbran with $9 million hopes mid-year.
But she has recently secured Heritage Victoria permission for the subdivision of the historic St George Road estate into two allotments, with the government department noting its "recognition of the fact that the current proprietor’s specific financial circumstances were a factor in the determination of the permit as allowed for under section 73(1)(b) of the Heritage Act 1995."
The Semmens Edzell application followed the former news presenter-turned-spin doctor paying $11 million for the house built for the former lord mayor James Stewart shortly before his year in office.
The subdivision permission is dependent on remedial works including repairs and various conservation works to the Edzell being carried out to a minimum value of $300,000 within two years.
Edzell was bought in late 2011 by Semmens with vendor finance from architect Michael Spivakovsky and his wife, Cheryl, who took security over another Semmens property, the recently sold Rosecraddock, the CAULFIELD North mansion.
After paying $7.8 million in 2007, Semmens secured Glen Eira City Council approval for six blocks of about 700 square metres within the curtilage of the 150-year-old Italianate mansion set on its then 8857-square-metre holding.
The Age has reported a Kmart executive has recently paid about $11 million for Rosecraddock. The James Market News website suggested last weekend it sold for $10 million plus.