Artist takes over abandoned art deco mansion

Real estate is said to be all about location, but maybe it is all about the art? Melbourne artist Rone gives life to an art deco past.
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Empire, an immersive project by Rone; image supplied courtesy the artist

Real estate in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges is highly sought after, so a stunning art deco mansion abandoned for 20-years is a boon for anyone to get their hands on.

Former Collingwood street artist, Rone has been given that opportunity. The mansion, Burnham Beeches, was built in 1933 as the family home of wealthy industrialist and founder of the Aspro brand, Alfred Nicholas. After its heyday in the 1930s it served as a research facility, children’s hospital and luxury hotel, before being closed up in late 1990s. It was purchased by current owners, the Vue Group, in 2010.

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Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's National Visual Arts Editor. For a decade she worked as a freelance writer and curator across Southeast Asia and was previously the Regional Contributing Editor for Hong Kong based magazines Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. Prior to writing she worked as an arts manager in America and Australia for 14 years, including the regional gallery, biennale and commercial sectors. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW. Twitter: @ginafairley Instagram: fairleygina