The Block Star's landscaping behind $4.85m Aberfeldie sale
A glamorous Aberfeldie home straight out of The Block has topped the suburb's sales charts this year, changing hands for $4.85m.
The five-bedroom residence at 38 Aberdeen St combines bold architectural form and resort-style landscaping by The Block's long-serving garden guru Dave Franklin.
Mr Franklin, who has worked across more than a dozen seasons of the renovation series, is known for creating high-impact outdoor spaces that blend dramatic structure with lush plantings.
He has also co-hosted the lifestyle series The Garden Hustle, helping everyday Aussies transform their gardens.
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For 38 Aberdeen St, Franklin Landscape & Design delivered a backyard oasis featuring a fully tiled lap pool, architectural trees and a Goalrilla basketball half court, framed by manicured hedging and mature greenery for privacy.
The home's interior was crafted by design firm Studiomint and showcases luxury across three lift-connected levels.
Each of the five oversized bedrooms includes a deluxe ensuite, while the main suite boasts a walk-in robe, gas fireplace, freestanding bath and private balcony.
A dedicated home office features custom joinery, soft timber finishes and leafy garden views, ideal for work or quiet retreat.
A showpiece staircase is flooded with natural light from above, adding a gallery-like calm to the centre of the home.
Matthews Moonee Valley director John Matthews said the home had previously been listed with another agency before he was engaged to reposition it with a high-impact digital campaign.
'It was definitely one of the more memorable sales I've done recently,' Mr Matthews said.
'The seller had purchased it in 2022 for $4.7m and, despite the tougher market conditions, we were able to secure a result above that.'
The home's bold concrete and glass facade sets the tone for what lies inside, sharp architecture, privacy and glamour.
Mr Matthews said the relaunch included cinematic video, twilight photography, a 3D tour that leaned into the property's glamorous style.
'It felt like a rockstar's pad,' he said.
'It was bold, indulgent, think moody designer finishes, full smart automation, a dumbwaiter, and a home cinema that wouldn't look out of place in Beverly Hills.'
A chef's kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, stone surfaces and a full butler's pantry sits at the heart of the home.
Clean lines, soaring ceilings and clever angles make even the stairwell feel like a sculptural moment.
The chef's kitchen is fitted with Gaggenau cooking appliances, Liebherr fridge and freezer, and a butler's pantry with dual Bosch dishwashers.
An alfresco terrace with built-in barbecue flows seamlessly from the main living space, while a glass-walled wine cellar, custom study, and four-car garage add to the home's functional luxury.
The Matthews Moonee Valley director estimated it would cost about $6m to replicate the home today, factoring in around $4m in construction and $2m in land value.
'You simply couldn't rebuild this for what it sold for,' Mr Matthews said.
'There was no compromise anywhere in the design.'
The Block's Dave Franklin designed the lush outdoor zone, complete with built-in barbecue, alfresco bar and resort vibes all around.
Set on a corner in one of Aberfeldie's best streets, the home makes a striking impression from the moment you arrive.
Dave Franklin's signature touch is all over this garden, from sculpted greenery to the travertine-tiled lap pool and sports-ready lawn.
It is the fourth Aberfeldie property to sell for more than $4m this past year, and the highest so far in 2025, following other results around $4m-$5m.
Mr Matthews said the sale reflected renewed confidence in the inner northwestern prestige market as buyers increasingly looked beyond the traditional eastern suburbs for quality family homes.
'This area offers value that's hard to beat, proximity to the CBD, airport, schools, and more space for your money,' he said.
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