Historic art deco mansion sold again

By Tania Martin
NEW life has been breathed back in to Sherbrooke’s historic homestead Burnham Beeches after it was sold last month.
For years developers have had grand plans to return it to its former glory but have to bring their schemes to reality.
It has now been re-sold and is expected to again be refurbished.
In 2005, Yarra Ranges Council approved a $6 million plan for the former owner to upgrade the historic estate which included returning the 1930s home to its former glory.
But plans again halted when developers experienced a cash flow problem following the economic crisis.
In August councillors and local residents said the previous proposed development to turn the site into tourist accommodation would have turned the forest environment into suburbia.
The request for an extra 60 dwellings was abandoned after the council called for extra information on how this would relate to the existing approved tourist accommodation.
At the time, investor Neil White said the plans had been put on hold because of the economic crisis.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said the sale was a huge step forward for the estate.
He said the new developer, who couldn’t be named, was the estate’s last hope.
Cr Cliff is confident the historic building would be restored to its original condition.
“We have finally got someone who has a vision but he’s got the resources to back it up, not one of these groups that had a dream and nothing in their pocket to do it with,” he said.
But the new owner has a lot of work ahead of him.
Cr Cliff said the homestead had been stripped back to just a shell. “You couldn’t move in there tomorrow and use it… you couldn’t even sleep in it, there’s not even a toilet,” he said.
“He (the developer) will have to start from scratch, but he’s a specialist in bringing old things back to their original glory.”
Dandenong Ranges Tourism’s Michael Axel said although there were no real details available on the future of the estate, the sale was a positive step forward.
He said as long as the redevelopment remained sensitive to what has been there before it would get the support of the local community.
Mr Axel said it was also vital the environmental values of the area were maintained.
“It’s an iconic building which is a major part of the public infrastructure and if it can be restored to a point where it can function it would be a great thing for the whole area,” he said.
But Mr Axel is not holding his breath as there have been many plans made for the homestead over the years.
At one point it was set to be turned into a private aged care facility and the previous few applications have been for a luxury style hotel.
Mr Axel said a hotel would be great for not just the region but the tourism industry.
“If that’s the direction they go it would broaden out the options for people visiting the area,” he said.
“It would attract a different style of person… we have a lot of quality luxury accommodation but its all small units.
“A hotel could be a really worthwhile addition for the Dandenongs.”
A new application for the refurbishment is expected to go before the council by the end of the year.