From its symmetrical French Provincial façade to its mature landscaped gardens and curved balcony overlooking the backyard, Cathy Freeman’s Brighton residence is the kind of family home designed to age gracefully rather than chase the latest aesthetic.
Set across three expansive levels, the property embraces timeless materials. Aged oak floors, natural stone, marble benchtops and plantation shutters creates warmth while maintaining a sense of understated luxury.
Who lives here?
Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman and former AFL recruiter James Murch: The pair bought the Brighton home in 2021. Although the couple separated in 2024, they continue to co-parent their daughter Ruby and maintain a professional relationship through Estrella Sports Management. The five-bedroom residence is now on the market with a $6 million to $6.6 million price guide.
Built by renowned Bayside builders McKimm less than a decade ago, the home balances classic European influences with the practicalities of contemporary Australian family life.
At its centre is an open-plan kitchen and living space appointed with Miele appliances and a generous butler’s pantry. It flows effortlessly to outdoor entertaining areas complete with a barbecue, pizza oven and gas- and solar-heated swimming pool. Rather than feeling formal, the design encourages long lunches, family gatherings and weekends spent moving between indoors and out.
The home’s lower level reads more like a private lifestyle retreat than a basement. It houses a six-car garage alongside a surround-sound cinema, wine cellar and flexible gym space that could easily become a studio, games room or teenage retreat.
Upstairs, three private suites provide generous accommodation, while the primary bedroom opens onto a graceful curved balcony that softens the home’s stately architecture and looks across the gardens below.
We love…
A timeless take on French Provincial style. While contemporary minimalism comes and goes, this home proves the enduring appeal of classic detailing. Marble surfaces, natural stone bathrooms, aged oak flooring, fireplaces and elegant mouldings work alongside modern comforts to create interiors that feel luxurious without ever becoming overly ornate. It’s a reminder that quality materials and balanced proportions never date.
The heart of the home
Instead of feeling like a showpiece reserved for special occasions, the kitchen has the quiet confidence of a space designed to be lived in.
Morning light bounces across marble benchtops and oversized pendants anchor the generous island. It’s where breakfasts, homework sessions and conversations are just as likely to unfold as weekend entertaining.
Wide openings draw the eye towards the shimmering pool beyond, with the lush greenery outside becoming part of the interior palette. It’s a room that feels calm, light-filled and connected to its surroundings. Proof that the most memorable kitchens aren’t always the most elaborate, but the ones people naturally gather in.
“Architectural style and facade aside, the heart of the home is the kitchen, living and dining zone.”
MICHAEL HINGSTON, JELLIS CRAIG AGENT
A Brighton lifestyle
Location is just as much a feature as the architecture.
Positioned within one of Brighton’s most sought-after pockets, the property sits within walking distance of Bay Street. It’s among Church Street’s cafés and boutiques, and Brighton Beach is only minutes away. The neighbourhood is also renowned for prestigious schools including Brighton Grammar and Firbank Grammar. It makes the address particularly appealing for growing families.
Paul Bangay-inspired gardens
Long before you step inside, the home makes an impression through beautifully structured landscaping inspired by acclaimed Australian landscape designer Paul Bangay. Clipped greenery, elegant proportions and manicured plantings soften the grand French Provincial architecture. It creates a private resort feel around the heated pool, proving thoughtful landscaping can be just as impactful as the interiors.
A history of the home
Freeman is best known for her unforgettable 400-metre Olympic gold medal and the iconic moment she lit the cauldron at the Sydney 2000 Opening Ceremony. But she is known for her love for Melbourne property, too.
In the mid-2000s she owned another French Provincial-style home in Brighton after previously living in Kew. It demonstrates a long-standing preference for classic architecture and Melbourne’s leafy bayside suburbs. This latest residence continues that theme, pairing traditional European-inspired design with a distinctly Australian family lifestyle.
Despite the home being relatively new, it avoids fleeting trends. Instead, it favours enduring materials including the aged oak flooring, natural stone bathrooms and textural marble, creating a residence designed to look as elegant in twenty years as it does today.
“I believe the mansion was built less than 10 years ago but would retain its sense of elegance for decades to come.”
CHRIS HASSALL, BUXTON AGENT
Scope for flexibility
The flexible lower-level gym could become a wellness retreat, studio, children’s playroom or teenage hangout, giving the home the versatility to evolve alongside family life.
Why French Provincial still works
While minimalist architecture often dominates new builds, French Provincial homes continue to resonate. This is because they prioritise symmetry, natural materials and generous proportions over short-lived trends. Marble, oak, fireplaces and classical detailing create a sense of permanence that feels both luxurious and liveable. It’s a quality that makes homes like Cathy Freeman’s just as relevant today as they will be decades from now.
How to recreate this timeless French Provincial style
You don’t need a multimillion-dollar Brighton address to borrow the best ideas from Cathy Freeman’s family home. The interiors prove that enduring design is less about extravagance and more about investing in a restrained palette, natural materials and beautifully balanced proportions.
Start with neutral oak flooring or timber-look alternatives. Layer in shaker-style cabinetry, or choose stone-inspired surfaces with subtle veining. Keep the colour palette soft and tonal. Rather than filling every corner, let statement pieces, like a limestone fireplace, oversized pendant lights or a sculptural armchair, become focal points.
The result is a home that feels elegant today and will still feel relevant years from now.
Our take
In an era of fleeting trends, Cathy Freeman’s Brighton home is a reminder that good design is built on longevity. Warm timber, natural stones, layered landscaping and carefully considered proportions create a home that feels as welcoming as it is refined. It’s less about making a statement and more about creating spaces that families will love living in—a philosophy that never goes out of style.
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