Former AFL player drops almost $10m on two houses

Chris Tarrant, the former AFL player, and his interior designer wife, Lauren, have recently invested nearly $10 million in two adjacent houses in Toorak. The acquisition, made in May, was initially veiled in secrecy but has now surfaced in public records.

Having played 260 matches for Collingwood and Fremantle before retiring from AFL in 2012, Tarrant boasts achievements such as winning a 2001 Anzac Day Medal and earning All-Australian selection in 2003. Additionally, he held the title of the Magpies’ leading goalkicker for five consecutive years, sharing the honor with Anthony Rocca in 2002.

Lauren Tarrant, a businesswoman renowned for her luxury home designs through Lauren Tarrant Design, played a key role in the purchase of the two three-bedroom houses, one of which is described as a “circa-1930s solid brick Georgian residence.”

Antoinette Nido from RT Edgar Toorak facilitated the deal but refrained from commenting on the buyers or the transaction amount. However, property records reveal that one residence was acquired for $6.352 million, while the other fetched $3.573 million, totaling $9.925 million. Nido, named the Real Estate Institute Victoria 2023 residential salesperson of the year, disclosed that the properties were sold through an expressions of interest campaign after an unsuccessful earlier listing with a different agency.

The two houses, occupying nearly 1000 square meters, present an “amazing opportunity” for the construction of a grand residence, according to Nido. Potential development would likely involve the demolition of the existing structures, requiring council approval.

The location is highlighted by its west-facing orientation at the rear and dual crossovers in St Georges Rd, one of Toorak’s most prestigious boulevards. Nido noted that the blocks garnered interest from both local and Chinese-based buyers, given the street’s appeal to wealthy individuals in Melbourne and beyond.

The Tarrants had listed their four-storey Grange Rd house for sale in May 2022, with a price range of $15 million to $16.5 million. However, the property was taken off the market after a month, with no indication of a subsequent sale. The listing showcased impressive features like a rooftop retreat with an infinity pool, gas open fire, outdoor television, a wine storage room, lift, and a five-car basement garage.