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Key points

• Russel Howcroft and his wife Kate Burke are planning their next move.
• Their home is unexpectedly big, giving family members their own space.
• The couple hope another family will snap it up.

Property listings

Radio presenter and advertising guru Russel Howcroft and his wife Kate Burke have listed their Hawthorn family home of 21 years to downsize, or rightsize, closer to the city.

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom Queen Anne-style property is set on a large block of 1424 square metres and has price expectations of $4.8 million to $5.2 million.

With two of the couple’s three children now moved out of 23 Riversdale Road, Howcroft and Burke said they were ready for their next chapter.

“I actually feel excited for the next family to have three 21st birthdays here [like us] and have their family and friends here,” Burke said.

The home, which Howcroft said was unexpectedly large inside, was big enough for each of their family members to have their own space.

Books line the walls of the home.Credit: Kay & Burton Boroondara

The home has both modern features and original Queen Anne styling.Credit: Kay & Burton Boroondara

“It’s genuinely a unique family home where you can express your creativity,” he said.

Some of that creativity is on display in the artwork and books lining the walls, including a portrait of Howcroft by artist Matthew Quick that was entered into the Archibald prize in 2011.

When asked if the portrait would be moving with the couple once they sold, Burke was not enthusiastic.

“That could stay here,” she joked.

The portrait of Russel Howcroft, painted by Matthew Quick for the Archibald prize in 2011 is on display in the home.Credit: Kay & Burton Boroondara

Kate Burke said she loves the pool in summer.Credit: Kay & Burton Boroondara

The residence includes an outdoor pool, and a separate studio area which has been used for different purposes over the years.

Howcroft and Burke’s children had bands who practised in the studio space, and it was used as an art studio for a time by their youngest son.

It was a bedroom when the couple hosted travellers including a rookie football player who moved to Melbourne to start an AFL career.

The wine cellar at 23 Riversdale Road.Credit: Kay & Burton Boroondara

Howcroft said he loved the home, but that his favourite room is the wine cellar.

Burke said she loved different parts of the property during different seasons, including the fireplaces during winter, the pool in summer and the gardens in spring and autumn.

“The really fantastic thing about the house is that you can accommodate so many people – friends and family – and off-street you can easily have eight people’s cars parked,” Burke said.

Howcroft added that it was “like living in the country in Hawthorn and close to Richmond”.

While there are many original Queen Anne features throughout the house, including an entranceway chandelier, fireplaces and stained-glass, the house was renovated in 2014 to add some more modern elements.

Howcroft was the CEO of advertising agency George Patterson Y&R, where he worked until 2013, shifting to Network 10 followed by PwC.

He has been on ABC panel show Gruen discussing advertising in Australia and worldwide since it began. The show is in its 15th season.

Howcroft now hosts the 3AW Breakfast radio show with Ross Stevenson. 3AW is owned by Nine, publisher of this masthead.

The home is filled with natural light.Credit: Kay & Burton Boroondara

Selling agent Kay & Burton Boroondara director Nicole Gleeson said the home, and the size its block, made it an attractive buy.

“I think for me and my colleague [Kay & Burton Boroondara director] Sam Wilkinson, the thing that stands out is the size of the block,” Gleeson said. “It’s so homely and full of character and so quiet and peaceful out the back of the property.

“There’s no north obstruction, so the whole backyard is open, and the pool area is just heaven.”

The first open for inspection for the house will be held on Thursday. The home is listed as an expression of interest sale, closing 5pm on November 14.

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