One of Kensington’s most distinctive addresses — a century-old heritage building on Todman Avenue that locals have taken to calling “Kensington Palace” — has come to market with a price guide of $15 million, with the auction set for 11 August.
The property at 12 Todman Avenue sits on a substantial 2,557-square-metre block and carries with it a layered history that stretches back to the early days of the suburb itself. The building was constructed around 1926 in the Georgian Revival style and was designed by architects Joseland and Gilling, originally serving as the administration building for British tobacco company WD & HO Wills. The WD & HO Wills factory had opened on Todman Avenue as far back as 1902, and the broader site eventually became the Raleigh Park residential neighbourhood following the factory’s closure in 1989.
The building’s classical facade — featuring columns, arched windows, and a signature cupola — has since taken on an entirely different chapter. Menzies Art Brands, one of Australia’s major fine art auction houses, used the Kensington premises as its Sydney base. The business was founded by entrepreneur Rod Menzies, who passed away in April 2022. Now his son Cameron Menzies, who heads the Menzies Group, has decided to shift the company’s focus to Melbourne, making the Todman Avenue property surplus to requirements.
For those who follow the Australian art world, the address will ring a bell. Over the past 25 years, significant volumes of fine art and memorabilia have changed hands at auction within its walls. The gallery at 12 Todman Avenue, Kensington, hosted notable Menzies auctions, including a single-lot sale for contemporary artist Del Kathryn Barton. Menzies’ Melbourne gallery is now located at 1 Darling Street, South Yarra.
The property itself is considerable in scale. It offers more than 1,000 square metres of internal space across three levels, including a large basement, a boardroom, and three original walk-in safes — features that speak to its commercial past. There is also a private car park accommodating at least 21 vehicles, and access to shared tennis court, swimming pool, and barbecue facilities at the Raleigh Estate next door.
Listing agent Peter Anderson of Peter Anderson Real Estate says the building’s approval history opens the door to a wide range of potential uses — including as a medical facility, a combined live/work space, or even conversion to a grand private residence. He describes it as genuinely hard to categorise, given its blend of heritage character, generous footprint, and multipurpose approvals.
The property is positioned opposite Raleigh Park and is within walking distance of Kensington Public School, the East Village shopping centre, and the Moore Park Supa Centre.
According to title records, the benchmark for multi-use amalgamated sites in Kensington was set in 2024, when 153–157 Anzac Parade sold for $20 million. The Todman Avenue listing carries a $15 million price guide, though Anderson noted that the final figure would likely depend on the level of interest generated through inspections.
The property last changed hands in 2000, when Menzies Management Services acquired it for $2.95 million. Two decades on, the building is described as being in excellent condition throughout.
Inspections are by appointment. Contact Peter Anderson on 0412 281 133.
Published 10-July-2026
