19 October 2024
Cranlana, the Myer family estate in Clendon Road, is for sale. It was developed in stages, and the garden is widely thought to be one of best in Melbourne, if you like the formal Italianate style. The house itself is quite modest really, and dates from 1903. Sidney Myer bought it in 1921, and moved in with his new wife Merlyn (Baillieu), and remodelled the house in 1929-30. That was designed by Tompkins & Tompkins (who also designed the Myer store). Then in 1932 they bought the lot next door, and engaged Harold Desbrowe Annear to design a very large garden, with a sunken area, axial paths, steps, ‘deciduous and evergreen specimen trees, colourful shrubs, clipped conifers and hedges, row of Italian Cypress, water features, statues and ornaments’. It all feels to me more like a garden with a house attached. Sidney didn’t get to enjoy it for long, dying aged only 56 in 1934, but Merlyn stayed on for nearly 50 years, raising their four children. The property has been kept in the family since then, and well maintained, and might be worth $100m. It’s all on the heritage register, and I hope any likely purchaser won’t try to add endless ensuites, media room, 10 car garage etc. All photos real estate sites.
Storey of Melbourne 