Shannon Bennett and Madeleine West buy the 1881 South Yarra mansion, Barwon

Jonathan ChancellorFebruary 17, 2013

The celebrity chef Shannon Bennett has spent possibly close to $5 million to buy South Yarra's historic Victorian mansion, Barwon.

The Vue de Monde restaurateur and wife, actor Madeleine West, have subsequently sold their home in Kensington over the weekend for a price believed to be $1.6 million plus.

The 1881 Cromwell Road, Palm Beach last traded for $2.8 million in 2005, but now comes with a contemporary extension to the original Percy Oakden designed home.

bennettfeb20

It has four bedrooms, plus two studies along with a self-contained apartment in its pool house on its 1266 square metre holding.

It was initially listed around August last year with $5.5 million hopes selling quietly to the celebrity couple last December.

Madeleine West has currently put her Lennox Street, Richmond apartment up for sale.

The Kensington property was listed with price hopes of $1.5 million to $1.65 million. It's a chef’s dream.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

Editor's Picks

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state
Hali Dromana strikes a chord with locals and Melbourne buyers looking for low maintenance beachside living
Inside Lovedale Farm, Hunter Valley’s newest landmark destination
Exclusive: Milieu secures approval for new Brunswick apartment project, Saxon Street by Milieu
City Beat February 2025: Brisbane unit market outperforms houses as government abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers