A Cliffside Manor With A Modern Refresh
An updated slice of history with a luxury French twist and unique water views.
By Terry Christodoulou
Thu, Dec 10, 2020 2:43am
2 min
2 min
Privately positioned cliffside 8 Gap Road, Watsons Bay offers expansive views of the city’s twinkling harbour, via a former 1920s Masonic Lodge that has been reimagined and delivered to luxurious modern standards by renowned architects Weir Phillips.
Dream living all year — through arguably the perfect new year’s eve party pad — the 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home boasts a tangible sense of airiness and ease as driven by stately proportions and 5-metre ceilings across open plan living areas, bespoke arched windows connecting not only to history but the literal inside to outflow.
The finishes throughout are impeccable and unique, with 200-year-old French parquetry flooring paired to a Calacatta marble kitchen that’s fitted with Gaggenau appliances and an elongated, showpiece, marble benchtop for dining.
The upper level, accessible by private lift, sees the five large bedrooms each fitted with under-floor heating and Perrin & Rowe marble ensuites in each as well as a separate self-contained guest level.
The master suite comprises a dressing room larger than most Paddington boutiques (what’s left of them) and more views over Sydney Harbour.
Outdoors feature a covered entertaining area as well as a separate balcony space with in-built outdoor kitchen. There’s also a rebuilt Egyptian limestone pool with William Dangar designed gardens completing the space.
Parking for two cars is secured by an electronic gate, security and camera system. The house sits within a two-minute stroll of Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel, Robertson Park and known restaurants such as Doyle’s and Dunbar House.
The listing is with Michael Pallier of Sotheby’s Sydney, +61 417 371 544; POA.
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Designed by the late Kerry Hill and built by Hutchinson Builders, The Residence at Hayman Island blends tropical modernism with absolute waterfront luxury.
By Staff Writer
Mon, Oct 20, 2025 2 min
2 minIs this Whitsunday’s best home?
Hayman Island may have been ravaged by Cyclone Debbie in 2017, which saw the island, one of the smallest of the major Whitsunday islands, all but shut down, but the 390-hectare paradise has made an extraordinary comeback.
The InterContinental brand took over the island’s only resort, which was completely devastated by the Category 4 cyclone. The same year the cyclone hit, The Residence at Hayman was built, one of just two private residences on the island.
Constructed by Hutchinson Builders, a Tier 1 builder better known for delivering some of South East Queensland’s finest multi-residential developments, the lavish home is made from reinforced concrete with a blend of glass and timber battening.
It was designed by the late, internationally renowned architect Kerry Hill, widely regarded as a key figure in refining tropical modernist architecture. Hill was an island specialist, having designed several major resorts in Bali.
The Residence at Hayman spans three levels and offers over 1,400 sqm of living space, including around 580 sqm of internal living areas. The remainder comprises breezeways, terraces, and balconies designed to embrace the island’s subtropical climate.
Entry to the home is via the upper level, as the property tiers down the site with direct access to the beach. The top and lower levels accommodate most of the home’s eight bedrooms, as well as a study and a double garage with buggy parking, the preferred mode of transport throughout the Whitsundays.
The middle level is home to the main kitchen, living, and dining areas, complete with a full butler’s pantry. It opens to a large, L-shaped terrace featuring an outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining and lounge zones, and a sundeck. The terrace flows to the basalt-clad infinity swimming pool, deck, and cabana with integrated seating, as well as a pool house.
Owners or guests of The Residence also have access to the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort facilities, including 24-hour room service, butler assistance, private chefs, and the resort’s wellness centre.
Whitefox agents Cheyne Fox and Nic Whitehead are marketing The Residence as “a rare and extraordinary find.”
“This is more than just a home, it’s an opportunity to own a piece of paradise, a legacy to share with family and friends for generations to come,” Fox said.
The only other private residence on Hayman Island, Hayman House, is also on the market. Commissioned by Terry Peabody, former billionaire and Transpacific Industries founder, Hayman House was first listed last year with hopes of $27 million, later reportedly reduced to $20 million in early 2025.
Designed by Kerry Hill and also built by Hutchies (in 2010), Hayman House shares a similar design ethos to The Residence, albeit on a smaller scale. Its 18-week construction endured three cyclones, with all site access via the beach, which had to be reinforced to prevent heavy vehicles from sinking into the sand.
