Beautiful Forgotten Mansion In the Hills of Melbourne
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- A tour of the Alfred Nicholas Gardens and his Mansion
Alfred Nicholas had only lived for a few years at the property when he died in 1937 and the family offered up the home for use as a 50 bed children’s hospital between the years of 1941 and 1944, seeing some alterations undertaken to the building. The house was vacant between 1944 and 1948 before Alfred Nicholas’s widow returned to residence in 1949 following renovations and refurbishment. In 1955 the house was leased to the Nicholas Institute (part of Alfred Nicholas’s business run by his son, Maurice) who operated their medical and veterinary research at the site until 1981. Alterations were made to the house to accommodate the required laboratories. By 1965 the large extent of the landscaped gardens proved difficult to maintain, and the lake with 32 acres of garden was donated the Shire of Sherbrooke (now the Yarra Ranges Shire Council)
Glad to hear it will be restored again. Stayed there when it was a hotel decorated inside in Art deco style as well. It was beautiful.
Very cool!
I really hope this 'mansion' is preserved, as its an extraordinary example of Arte Deco Architecture.
So beautiful if it was restored.
There are frescoes with native animals,possums and Koalas. 😊
I worked in it as a cook when it was a Hotel. It was amazing… so sad to see it like this.
I was a porter there, you probably fed me!
I spent the first night of our honeymoon in this lovely place, with my wonderful wife Debbie. Walking around those beautiful gardens at the time was like a dream. I miss her.
We also had our honeymoon there. Beautiful place.
James just think of all the happy memories but don’t forget the sad days either.
Think of her smile.
Even though it’s a rather grey and wet enjoy your day. 🥰🇦🇺
Just to update this. The mansion was purchased by consortium that is rebuilding it as a luxury boutique property. I believe it’s the people who redirected the continental in Sorrento
so an Airbnb
Nothing to do with the continental owners group
@@markuswilmes3694Odd you say that since it says it does on the Burnham Beeches website...
I've stayed here. Also saw the Rone Empire Exhibition. Totally amazing.
Hi Hilary would have loved to seen the Rone exhibition lucky you.
Victoria has so many unique and beautiful sites. Love seeing gardens like this being preserved and can also be enjoyed by the general public. Hope the building can be preserved and reused too. Tx for sharing
I have always loved these gardens I love the Dandenongs. I used to walk around the fence line just like you did and ponder just why this beautiful home is empty. Thank you 🙏❤
Thankyou for doing this.. I remember when I used to walk around the beautiful house and gardens in the early 90s, even then I thought why isn't anyone saving this glorious place.. Why the Vic government doesn't step in and make it a museum to The Victorian people for arts and culture is disappointing. I wished then as I do now somebody save this mansion....
Hi James
it’s sad and there is a lot of history here just going to waste, Parks owns the gardens but house is owned privately .
Victorian governments is broke mate, in case you haven't noticed.
Stayed there in 1988 with my husband. Beautiful architecture and gardens. The meals were superb. The staff gave us raw meet to feed the kookaburras out on the balcony each morning. Hope someone gives it life again. It’s such an iconic house.
I wish I could afford to buy it. Restoring an art deco beauty would be an amazing project. A labour of love ❤️
And would cost a fortune!
My husband and I got married here in the gardens down where the boat shed is in 1986……so 38 years ago! (Still married 2024). We were on a tight budget and paid $25.00 to have our wedding there. The wedding party was on one island while the guest stood over the bridge on the other island. There were ducks swimming around us and all the cherry blossom trees were in flower, (October) it was truly the most beautiful setting one could even dream about. Have taken my children there and also my grand children. Very fond memories 🥰
Thanks for telling me your memory it is a very special place thanks for watching Alvin
The birdsong captured in this video is beautiful. Thank you.
I love it too❤️
I visited this house as a kid when my father went there to service their refrigeration, and also went onto their two yachts for the same purpose. The Nicholas family fell into disgrace after a charge of importing cocaine. They were the owners of Nicholas Aspirin, a very wealthy family. They had guard dogs on the grounds that had been "de-barked" and they could startle you with their stealthy approach.
Thanks for the info fascinating place.
Not sure about the cocaine allegations?
Interesting, but what was the point of debarking the guard dogs, you would think that would defeat the purpose, not to mention being cruel.
@@bronwyn6415very very cruel.
@bronwyn6415 very cruel but very sneaky and dangerous to intruders.
What's scarier than a guard dog barking to warn you?
A silent guard dog appearing out of nowhere., it's too late by the time you notice it.
Such an incredible piece of Australian History, praying it will be preserved.
Had my wedding photos 1992 at Alfred Nicholas gardens , right down the bottom , they let us drive down there . Our honeymoon was at Burnham Beeches . And yep we’re still married . They had peacocks roaming the grounds . I think i still have a brochure for when we booked it . It was beautiful.
Wow, you are so lucky to have experienced this amazing building on your honeymoon. Was the interior still all in art deco when you visited it as a hotel?
@@jinasingh-mo2kg 👋 hi yes it did . The stairs had the old railing , there was a beautiful art deco dining room . The windows curved around corners . The wait staff had art deco uniforms and wore white gloves . We were so young so we were overwhelmed a bit . There was an older clientele, but that didn’t worry us at all . I was wearing my wedding dress instead of a going away dress when we walked in , and we got an applause (lol we were both so shy ) You’re right we were lucky , i couldnt think of a better place to stay . The decor was so rich and luxurious. So sad it no longer operates . Thanx for the comment … you made me remember a truly beautiful stay .
Oh the menu was amazing ! The meals we received were like art pieces , spatchcock eggs on a spatchcock roulade . Sticky date pudding that had a sugar spun tower on top . Omg I can’t believe I remember that. 💜
I visited the Alfred Nicholas Gardens many times and in many different seasons. The walk down to the lake is spectacular and reasonably easy - the walk back up gives you a good workout, Apparently the boathouse on the lake is said to be the most photographed spot on Mt Dandenong. I was also lucky enough to visit the Empire Exhibition by street artist Rone which finally got me into the mansion which I'd only seen through the fence before. Walking through the rooms and experiencing his immersive recreation/vision of a vanished time was dreamlike. Each room was set up as I'd the people who lived there had suddenly left - leaving everything as it was. Rone added the extra touch of making it look as if nature (twigs, webs, leaves) was slowly claiming the mansion. Atmospheric music was especially composed and piped throughout (mostly cello and violin) which made the walkabout a truly mesmerizing, melancholic and unforgettable experience. It is a special place.
Thank you for posting this video, Brought back welcome memories.
I loved this garden. My wife and I visited this property numerous times until 2019, when I suffered a brain aneurism and shortly thereafter a massive heart attack that resulted in a triple by pass. That was the end of my walking. I really miss the Alfred Nichols gardens and mansion, so thanks for sharing your footage with me mate!
Your resilience to death,,is remarkable! Living like you do,,would make me wish for death,,carry on Sir
Hope you’re doing well now !sorry to hear , it is a beautiful spot especially spring and autumn. Alvin
This was lovely to watch. I was lucky enough to go and see the Rone exhibition. So very well done. To be able to walk around that building evoked many emotions. An experience I will always remember.
Yes, I went to that exhibition too....... Stunning
Wow! what a great video of what is a beautiful garden, thanks so much, it's inspired me to go and see it one day. Its a shame the Victorian government doesn't buy the mansion and maintain the heritage of it, as it is truly an incredible piece of Australian architecture !
If it was used as a medical and veterinary research laboratory, who knows what kind of horrors went on inside that building. It's awful to think about.
I was thinking the same secret society and the dark arts , and things we don't want to think of , but do exist.
Beautiful Waterfall style Art Deco house. My favourite style of Art Deco architecture
My husband and I had our honeymoon there in 1985 and it was magnificent. I also knew someone who used to go up there for summer holiday with the Nicholls family and their son. Long time ago.
Another great story, there are a lot of people that have a memory about this place . Alvin
My early childhood years were in the Dandenongs at Olinda before the family moved to Tasmania when I was 11. I remember the name being spoken of a lot and we sometimes drove past this property, I always used to wonder what it be like to play in the gardens. It's really sad to see the place having fallen into a state of neglect, although I have just read another post here saying the property is apparently up for renovation. It just silently begs to be put to use again, so much could be done here.
Yes I have heard the same we will see.
It breaks my heart to see this house empty,neglected and unloved 😢
But is it neglected etc I thought if we a restaurant
Had a couple of meals there when it was running as a restaurant and accommodation in the 80's... Spectacular property and great food. I believe Shannon Bennett of Vue De Monde bought the property in 2010 and sold in 2022 not acting on the investment so the aging and neglect is recent and not of a forgotten gem. Was always known as the Aspro house by anyone who grew up around the Dandenongs.
Great to see it again. Thank you.
It looks haunted, big places creep me out 😮but still looks beautiful.
Yehudi Menhuin (famous musician/violinst) and his sister Hepzibah (pianist) , both married into the Nicholas family and stayed at this house for a time.
You may not know that the gate in the rock wall near the waterfall was the entrance to the tunnel he built for his wife that up the hill and into the house. As you meander down the pathways from the house to the lake you may have noticed a few ventilation shafts in a line in the gardens along the length of the tunnel He apparently built the tunnel so his wife didn’t have to get wet if it was raining.
Are the tunnels closed now though?
@@elenalizabeth As far as I know the tunnel has never been open to the public and it may not be safe or blocked years ago. The gate is there down the bottom but you can see around the corner. I have tried.
I did know about the tunnel be hind the water fall but I didn't know where it lead to. Thanks for comment.
we had our honeymoon there in 1984 and a gorgeous dinner..loved the gardens..we had our wedding at Sherbrooke Lodge in the dandenongs so it was natural to spend our honeymoon in style at this beautiful art deco hotel...i wish someone would buy it and restore it and give the building the respect it deserves. Sad about the bad decisions made on behalf of this beautiful corner of Melbourne..
With bird noises as beautiful as that. Didn't need music. Thanks for the video
Interesting story, pity the mansion is being neglected, thanks for uploading.
That's good news !
@@fadingaustralia3281 Neglect is not good news.
I grew up in the Dandenong Ranges. My grandfather was the local doctor. No matter what he did, the police were told not to pull him up. He was a terrible driver, but he was the doc, and he was delivering babies, and he was very fond of the local vagabonds! Anti-war, and a lover of classical music. If you didn't like it then he knew where you stood 😂❤. Elef Jorgensen
Great story thanks for sharing. Alvin
How stunning! I felt transported to another era! Thank you for creating this cinematic jewel!
Simply divine and such a perfect example of the Art Deco period.❤️
The pictures of Rone’s exhibition left me feeling really sad and melancholy for the old place. What a tragic waste …
that was part of the point of the exhibition.
It was such a beautiful exhibition
I went there as a younger me on a bus trip to see the beautiful gardens,many beautiful Rhododendrons,thank you and so lovely to hear about all the wonderful memories people have of it 🇦🇺
How insane and wasteful are we in Australia to leave a mansion like this unused. 😢
They could easily turn it into a bunch of apartments or complexes.
They couldn't make these apartments in the middle of a public nature park.
Its approved to be a luxury hotel (Six Senses). Don't know why they haven't started.
That’s it. I’m moving in.
@@1250GSX I saw that online too but I was confused about wether it was open yet or not
Remarkable, how lavish, far more so than what is visible in our hometown Napier, NZ. Rebuilt Art Deco & Spanish Bungalow after 1931 earthquake … 100 years on, the bones are still good 🙏🏼😇
I stayed there with my first wife for a weekender in about 1991. It was great. There was an indoor pool.
I took my mum and dad to the restaurant at Burnham beeches mansion for lunch here for their 30th wedding anniversary... We had a sensational lunch meal for 4 for $250. The food was sensational and the atmosphere was lush and decadent creating a memorable event for my dear old mum and dad.... In the mid 80s... Have always been disappointed that the venue did not continue as the gardens and house were very memorable.... From memory it was built and own by the Nicholas aspro foundation who were the inventors of aspirin pain killers.
In the mid 1980’s before the company bought it to make it into a hotel we used to go on Sundays and have high tea in the ballroom. Then we organised our end of the year work function. This building is a fabulous 1920 era building. Now that it has the new hotel addition why doesn’t the company who own it sell it so that some one else can buy it and resurrect it. The new building and house can be saved and be made into a beautiful country hotel. I am very upset about this! I wonder who the architect was that designed it in the 1920s. I remember that the company who bought it was a Swiss hotel chain. I would love to go inside one day. Thank you for doing this video. I loved the photos and Mr Nicholas even built an indoor swimming poll in the 1920s! Wow! He also owned the Officeworks hill on the corner of warrigal and waverley roads in Chadstone. I remember it in 1984 when we started living in the area. It was sold and demolished land you have the retail centre now. It had his name Nicholas Aspro on it. What a nice trip down memory lane …thanks Vicki
Harry Norris was the designer, he also designed Mitchell House in Melbourne. The Trenerry Property groups acquired Burnham Beeches from Shannon Bennett. This group recently transformed the Continental Hotel in Sorento, so there is reason to be optimistic that Burnham Beeches will be restored. I worked there when it was a Relais et Chateau property and then had a high tea 21st birthday there, and I babysat the owners kids. So many memories.
This was the location used as Governor Erica Davidson’s mother’s home in a few episodes of the classic Aussie soap, Prisoner.
I Didn’t know that I’ll have to see if I can look at some of the old videos.
@@alvingaissl3700Episode 209
Such a fabulous memory of Christmas lunch at bernham beeches ❤
Thankyou for your very natural and interesting walk through and presentation. Appreciated.
It is truly a beautiful place and so sad it’s been vacant for so long. My wife stayed there for a couple of nights in 90 or 91 and would definitely go back if the opportunity ever arose
Bravo! Great Video :)
It's so beautiful, I wish I could live there. It's in good condition too. And those gardens...😮
Thank you for sharing this !
Beautifull reserve enjoyed your video sad about the mansion
Exquisite! A true rare gem!
Beautifully captured, the garden reflection and all. Thank you, best thing I've seen on YT in many years!
Really interesting thank you for bringing this to our attention
This is incredibly sad to see and you just wish you could wave a magic wand and bring it all back to life! Thank you so much for showing us around, truly appreciated.
It's on the market as a rental now for $1500 per week. Looks stunning ❤
My fiance and I had a meal there in 1979 to celebrate our engagement... magnificent building such a pity it can't be restored and used as a tourist attraction
Those murals were amazing
No! They looked like graffiti!
Absolutely exquisite. I just want to live in this sort of rainforest I'm not a fan of the Australian bush mostly certainly the not the dry dead summer sort of outback bush but I could live here forever ❤️
Thanks for this Alvin. I miss my Mt Dandenong home every day (albeit not the winter cold) and your wandering around Burnham Beeches reminds me of what I loved about the area, especially the gardens and bluestone paths. The sound of the birds in the background is beautiful.
Thanks for the memories , I was married there in 2003
Having grown up quite near Slough where Aspro Nicholas was based in the UK, I had always (wrongly) assumed that it was the parent company and that when they built Burnham Beeches in the Dandenongs that they’d named it after the beautiful area of woodland that I was led to believe had originally been a royal hunting ground but now belongs to the City of London. Ironically those types of beech trees, particularly the gorgeous copper beech, don’t grow in Australia.
I was fascinated to learn that they’d developed Aspirin in Melbourne before settling up production in the UK.
Copper beech do grow well in parts of Australia
I recall this place featured on the Australian t.v drama series Prisoner in the early 1980's
I found this video mesmerising. It's the first one I have ever seen of your series and work. Congratulations I was totally immersed in every detail that I could see and your commentary was excellent. I had so many many questions and you answered them one by one. I was so astonished to discovered this rare treasure with you. I would loveto see it in person Thank you so much for the work you put into this. I wonder if there are any descendants to the this amazing family. I would love to keep watching your work and have subscribed. Congratulations from Sydney historian.
Absolutely fabulous Alvin. What a masterpiece. Such a waste that it wasn't made better use of. It's hard to believe no-one would want to bring it back up to scratch and live there, it's such a perfect, secluded location. If only I had the money. I guess a lot of the interior is spoiled after it was used for research. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment, Looks like it has been rebought by new owners recently lets see if they will restore the property its very sad now . Alvin.
Beautiful gardens especially in autumn near the little lake further below the house. The colours are mesmerising.
Wow how beautiful even when its left like this i hope it will be saved the lake us amazing 💚
What a beautiful place. Would be great if they opened the place so,you could have a look. A shame that it's locked up. Thanks for sharing.
We stayed at Burnham Beeches in the late 1970s it was being run by John and Penny Guy it is a beautiful property, we enjoyed our stay and the beautiful food!
Never knew this place existed. It looks like it would have been fantastic in its heyday. So sad it's been left like this.
My cousin was a waiter there many years ago. My brother stayed there on his wedding night.
What a stunning property!!
Thanks, that was great.
it has huge potential
This place is magical .
Thank you for an awesome explore
THis was renovated beautifully in the 1980’s when it was called Burnham Beeches. My wife and I stayed there on our first wedding anniversary in 1984. T was magnificent. Sadly it went broke.
It certainly was magnificent. My husband and I got married at the end of 1984 and spent the whole of our short honeymoon there! Our suite was in the original wing of the house and it was very special.
Thank you for a very interesting video tour. You did an amazing job getting the shots you did. Thank you for sharing the Street Artist paintings, they were breath-taking and look amazing in this setting.
Have been to the gardens many times. They have been neglected but something beautiful about that too
The architecture is of the same style as Villa Isola in Indonesia, the residence of the former media tycoon Dominique Berretty designed by Wolff Schoemaker in the early 30's. Isola was also built on the top of a mountain, but a lot larger. It has been donated to a university in Indonesia for its administration office now.
I want to make an Art Deco tour of Java one day
@@michellematthews2414 It will be interesting.
Victoria / Melbourne Should restore this part of our Beautiful history. I guess they are all
to busy with the Big Build.
The big build offends you? Bringing massive infrastructures that benefits us all? That is insane. You just hate Labor.
And it’s too busy, not to.
Coincidentally I just happened to be walking around the gardens on one of the days when the Rone exhibit was on, I managed to sneak inside and have a bit of a wonder around inside, fantastic building
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for the history on this place. I just came across your channel and subscribed. ❤
This was a really great video. Thanks so much for showing me around. I never heard of this home but found the story very fascinating. Much gratitude
What a great example of art deco and opulent work and detail what a sad end
Thank you for sharing beautiful RESPECT
Very interesting history! And such a beautiful well made video! Thank you soo much for this!!! 🎉😊
This house is probably the inspiration for the one built in Bendigo in 1936 at 17 Eaglehawk Rd, for Clark Jeffrey, a butcher, who was also once Mayor of Bendigo. It's a bit smaller, still 4 bedrooms, 3 toilets, and in the rounded roof at the front was a swimming pool.
Mate, what a great bit of info. about something we should protect/restore..
I live near here and looked at it in the early nineties as a venue for a gathering. I remember walking through the restaurant which was all art deco, and it was breath taking. Then it was closed for years, then bought by some stupid chef who opened a very crazy cafe on the land which is so overpriced. And again, the building lays fallow. Just shameful. It should be opened at a restaurant again and accommodation or some community centre so everyone can enjoy this magnificent property. It should be used in the spirit of Apso who built it and gave half away for the Nicholas Gardens next door. Not everything should be about the bottom line. Just a waste it is sitting there unused when people need shelter, and assistance.
Wow awesome video i stayed there once back in 1990 with my friend Josephine! Keep up the amazing videos.
We've had many picnics here in these most amazing gardens. Beautiful memories
Good on you for making the most of it. I hope you will keep visiting.
not forgotten at all.
Rone the artist used it -it is owned by a couple, but they are yet to renovate it, supposed to being made back into a guest house.
Beautiful house & gardens what a waste very sad. But thank you for showing this place. The birds sounds were wonderful.Should be made into a wedding reception slash accommodation what do you think. 😀
I've been to Alfred Nicholas Gardens a number of times, and noticed that house a long time ago. Never knew what it was.
OMG at first I thought it was Strathalbyn...a sister house behind this one...I worked there as a gardener...amazing gardens..also left to rack and ruin I believe as is Burnam beeches
I’d love to have the money to buy it and turn into like a detox health care place for people that sick and don’t want to in a hospital setting.
That is a kind and lovely thought but I think this place needs some joy put back into it. Not sickness and sadness. It would have to cost a fortune for sick people to stay there as well I would think...
Totally ❤
Happy they are going to restore it, even though it's going to be a high-end resort.
Are they restoring it?
Looks like one of those Art Deco creations that an Agatha Christie murder has taken place in.
Yes, many Australians suffered from The. “We wish we were English” syndrome.! Lol
Yes, that's exactly what I thought! So romantic and sinister at the same time.
There is also another house hidden on the property. Also in the Deco style and it was the Nicholas family home. Complete with large indoor pool and squash courts. It is now occupied by a musician and the squash court is a recording studio now available for rent for recording or production rehearsals.
Do you know who the musician is , and how the recording studio can be booked ? ( or name of recording studio business ?) Thanks
That's great! How do you book, kiwi might like a dark basement to sing in. Very cool.
@@georginawhitby1320 squatters most likely.
Yes medical, I remember 1960s . A place i will never forget
I use to dine here in the 80's was a sublime restaurant. Since 91 it has been owned by a few investment groups, the latest is they are trying to sub-divide the mansion of which would be a total debacle, i truly wish it will never happen.
Great trip down memory lane💖💖
I worked there in the 80s as a porter when it was the Burnam Beeches Hotel. They kept peacocks in the gardens and they would crap all over the balconies. My first task evey morning was to use a fire hose to clean the muck off the balconies before any guests saw it! I got to be deadly with that high powered hose and could knock a peacock off his perch at 10 metres! I thought it was very satisfying, the peacocks didnt. 😂
Channel 10 also used it in the early 80’s for a few episodes in Prisoner. Episode 208 and 209