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Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest Buys R.M. Williams

R.M. Williams is a brand that quite literally forms part of the fabric of Australia and now mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has brought iconic bootmaker R.M. Williams back to local shores following a $190 million acquisition.

The news was announced by Forrest’s investment fund Tattarang who purchased the label from parent company LVMH, which had partnered with equity firm L Catteron to seek buyers for the brand.

“Nicola and I are incredibly proud and humbled to be able to bring R.M. Williams back under Australian ownership,” says Dr Forrest. “We just saw a Fantastic brand, a great Australian product, a legacy for the country and it just needed to be Australian – it just had to come back home.”

The bootmaker, originally founded in 1932 by Reginald Murray William, grew to include leather accessories and apparel before selling in 2014 for $110 million. At the beginning of negotiations, the controlling group was asking for as much as $500 million.

Tattarang has bought 100 per cent of the business, buying out minority shareholders, such as movie star and brand ambassador Hugh Jackman, who owned about 5 per cent of the business and is set to receive about a $10 million windfall from the deal.

The Forrests have also pledged to keep manufacturing jobs in Australia, with about 400 works currently employed in the label’s Adelaide workshop.

Rmwilliams.com

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Aston Martin Reveals ‘Sylvan Rock’, Its First Home

Aston Martin Sylvan Rock

It’s no secret that Aston Martin’s design work is well appreciated outside the walls of the automotive industry.

And as such, the famous marque has dipped its toe into a number of endeavours including motorcycles, helicopters, boats and has now unveiled its first residence.

Designed in partnership with S3 Architecture, Sylvan Rock is a home set on a 22.2-hectare property in New York’s green Hudson Valley.

Accessed via a 610-metre driveway bordered by trees and rock walls, the main residence sees an angular form that takes its cues from the rock formations that make the surrounds so unique.

The home is encased in blackened cedar and glass and features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two half baths and three-car automotive gallery garage (hello, lairs and galleries program). Elsewhere sees a custom wine cellar – wrapped in Aston’s signature cross-hatched lattice design, pool and an 81sqm pool house.

The living spaces give way to nature through double-height ceiling and walls of glass with a columnar fireplace the showpiece. Naturally, the interiors are furnished by Aston Martin home while the kitchen is informed by a monolithic island and private dining table fitted with Miele appliances, column refrigeration and the latest cooking tech.

The primary bedroom suite is glass-clad and cantilevers over the rock ledge to take in views of the Catskills mountains in the distance. Here you’ll also find a walk-in closet complete with a night bar for a pre-bed tipple.

The main bathroom sees two-person shower, double vanity, soaking tub and more of those natural views.

Not limited to the singular structure, the property also features multi-functional guest house “pods”, a treehouse, and an agricultural garden.

Best yet, it can be yours for approx. $10.8 million; sylvanrock.com

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A Pastoral Study In Elegant Country Living

Burradoo

Located in the pastoral outpost of Burradoo in the NSW southern highlands, Riversdale House  – 15 Werrington Street Buradoo – is a study in elegant country living.

Two hours south of Sydney, adjacent to well-known Bowral and a ten-minute meander on foot to the local township — the luxurious house sits on a manicured 1.6-acres and holds 3-bedrooms, 4-bathrooms, 3-car parking as well as verdant surrounds.

Through the portico entrance, the beautifully crafted home sees lofty 3.9-metre ceilings with Egyptian limestone flooring underfoot, as well as antique stone fireplaces throughout.

The residence is divided into two distinct areas – ground level home to the formal dining, sitting room and deluxe chef’s kitchen (think luxurious European appliances including two Liebherr fridges, Miele induction cooktop with wok burner and Gaggenau oven).

The upstairs features the library and three bedrooms, each with ensuite in either marble or black granite and underfloor heating. The master suite, meanwhile, has timber French doors that open to a long private balcony overlooking the gardens.

Outdoors is where the home comes into its own. Boston ivy-covered walls, paved entertainment areas and large pergolas present a relaxing sense of splendour, matched by the gas heated swimming pool.

The listing is with Harriet France (+61 408 936 373) of Sotheby’s International Realty Sydney, in conjunction with Samuel Lindsay (+61 404 647 609) of Drew Lindsay Real Estate, and is on at $5.9m.

Sydneysothesbysrealty.com

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Sydney Nomad Finally Returns Home

Nomad’s journey over the last 12 months has been challenging to say the least.

First, a fire in its Foster Street home caused severe damage throughout the venue. Requiring extensive renovations, the team packed up and popped up a new outpost named ‘Nomad Up The Road’, landing walking distance from its original digs in the former Commonwealth Street Longrain space.

However, not long after a certain global pandemic swept through the country – closing many restaurants – some, unfortunately, for good.

Despite all this, Nomad is coming home, and this time it’s for good with the restaurant poised to reopen in its original location on October 20, bringing with it a new-look Nomad featuring a larger kitchen, twice as much seating around the open kitchen, and the new addition of a stand-alone deli.

Nomad Wine

Executive chef Jacqui Challinor’s menu will centre around the woodfired oven with signature items like smoked ocean trout basturma, halloumi, date glazed wagyu tongue and olive oil ice cream sandwich, with sesame, pistachio and honeycomb to feature.

“I’m so happy to have the fire back so it’s no surprise it’s the primary focus of the new menu. There’s a lot of new dishes we’re working on, but the staples have remained, some with a few little updates and tweaks,” says Challinor.

The addition of the deli adds a number of take-home products which are to change weekly.  Think a selection of house-cured meats, dips, marinated preserves, as well as chocolate fudge brownies and cookie dough. The wine list is also available to take home and delivery.

As for the renovated space’s looks, expect it to feel like home, albeit with a ‘grown up’ feel. The wood-fired cooking opportunities have been extended as well as the kitchen counter seating allowing more patrons to get closer to the action.

Nomadwine.com.au

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Australia To Get Its First Fairmont Hotel

Australia's First Fairmont

The northern tip of Queensland is set to land Australia’s first Fairmont hotel, with the opening of the Fairmont Port Douglas resort in 2023.

An hour’s drive from Cairns the resort sits between the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest and will serve as a popular hub for tourists looking to explore the clear waters and famous coral reefs or the unique wildlife of the Daintree.

The Fairmont Port Douglas is set to host 253 rooms and will embrace its natural surrounds through a birds’ nest-themed lobby, a treetop walk and a want for green spaces and natural light throughout.

“We are excited to bring the extraordinary Fairmont brand to Australia and are confident that Fairmont Port Douglas will deliver a new level of luxury and sophistication to one of the country’s most glamourous resort towns,” says Simon McGrath, COO of Accor Pacific.

Elsewhere, the resort sees several restaurant and bars along with several resort-style pools and a decadent day spa – which will lean on natural, local ingredients.

Accor.com

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How To Rent Giorgio Armani’s Caribbean Villa

Have you ever wondered where Italian fashion icon and fashion designer Giorgio Armani gets his tan?

The 84-year old billionaire has been enjoying a private strip of paradise on the tropical island of Antigua since 2006, and now, you can rent it.

Located in Galley Bay Heights, along the west coast of Antigua, the development sees 25 luxury villas line the beach, two of which owned by Armani himself.

ALEXIS ARMANET FOR ARMANI/CASA

Here, the two villas combine to form a cliffside compound surrounded by the aquamarine hues of the ocean and tropical gardens.

Each property was designed by Italian architect Gianni Gamondi with Villa Flower holding six bedrooms while neighbouring Villa Serena sees a further five bedrooms.

Armani Casa Antigua Villa
ALEXIS ARMANET FOR ARMANI/CASA

The villas share the main pavilion which links each residence alongside a series of wooden decks, terraces and dining areas – maximising the use of outdoor space.

Each bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom as well as private access to the spacious outdoor patios overlooking the bay below.

The interiors – having undergone a recent renovation – see tones of beige and grey, styled by the Armani Casa interior design studio team, natrually utilising inhouse furnishings.

Giorgio Armani Antigua Villa
ALEXIS ARMANET FOR ARMANI/CASA

Each villa is privy to its own private pool, gym, outdoor jacuzzi and expansive outdoor terraces as well as exclusive beach access.

The villas also offer up the use of a catamaran with a captain to sail you to nearby islands alongside four permanents staff with the option for a private chef.

Properties can be rented individually or as an 11-bedroom luxury compound – starting at approx. $122,000 per week. Although with current local travel restriction, best to bookmark this one.

galleybayheights.com / armani.com

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Club Moolia Will Be Australia’s First ‘Race Car Country Club’

One of the few problems of owning a decent supercar is the rare opportunity to really stretch its legs.

Enter Club Moolia, an exclusive new member’s club set to features a formula one-inspired driving circuit alongside Australia’s first Crystal Lagoons – that is, a Dubai-style watery wonderland.

Destined for a 2022 opening in the dusty township of Bindoon, 80 kilometres north-west of Perth, the planned $140 million, 4.1km racetrack will boast 17 corners, high-quality asphalt and allegedly be as wide as 12-metres in parts.

Club Moolia
Club Moolia’s Crystal Lagoons.

Members will be given access to the grounds via a secure entry and exit, while track use will be limited to ten cars a session. When not in use, owners can store vehicles in private, climate-controlled garages.

Luxury on-track suites will accommodate members and guests, with planned club lounges, spas, private screening rooms and exclusive chauffeur transfers from Perth CBD hotels and the international airport available to members.

Golfers, meanwhile, will have access to a hi-tech driving range featuring flight and ball-tracking technologies for every shot, each delivered to HD displays.

Club Moolia
Private suite at Club Moolia.

Two basketball and five tennis courts round out the exclusive sporting amenities, with tailored nutrition, strength and technical programs also available as part of certain packages.

Memberships will be strictly limited to 600 individuals and corporations, from $30,000 (plus $5000 annual fee) to $100,000 for conglomerates (plus $8000 annual fee).

Clubmoolia.com

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Penfolds Unveils 2020 Collection

Penfolds 2020 Collectino

The Penfolds Collection 2020 is finally here – and while the 66th consecutive Grange release will claim much of the attention, it’s singing back-up to the g4 and its frontman swagger.

Already a notable and multiple award-winning drop – the g4 brings together 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2016 Grange vintages. Given its limited fill of just 2500 bottles, move quickly to secure what is something truly phenomenal.

“These four Grange vintages are amongst our favourites of the last two decades – all so different in every sense, not just climatically,” offers Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker. “The synergistic blending of these vintages worked perfectly from a quality, structural and style perspective.”

As for the 2016 Grange, Gago believes it may “politely nudge the classic 2004 and 2010 Grange.”

While the spotlight will always fall across new Grange releases, the included 2018 Bins also prove some of the winemaker’s best releases of the last half-century. Of note, the Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (celebrating 60 years since its first release) remains a collectable and balanced standout, the 2018 Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet making a sixth appearance and also worthy of some of the spotlight.

Not to be outdone, the four white releases here hold their own – the Bin 311 Chardonnay embracing the cool-climate conditions to become, according to Gago, “an awakened and enlightened blend.”

The Penfolds Collection 2020 and Penfolds g4 are available from today (August 6) from Penfolds’ cellar doors and select fine wine dispensaries.

penfolds.com

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Peter Lindbergh’s Parisian Mansion Is For Sale

While we’re all dreaming of a French escape, the opportunity to own Peter Lindbergh’s (think Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and that heady ‘90s supermodel period)  Parisian estate has come up for grabs.

The enviable 6th arrondissement address (5-7 Rue des Grands-Augustins) presents a grand mansion at the site of what was once the Hôtel d’Hercule – itself known to house a venerable who’s who across many differing eras.

Dating to the 14th century, the hotel and its various buildings housed former French kings, Savoy princes, lords, artists – including Picasso, who lived and worked here from 1936-1955 – among others.

King Charles VIII is said to have paid 10,000 pounds for the property in 1493, and it’s also claimed that a nine-year-old Louis XIII was crowned king within the mansion.

Lindbergh, who died in 2019, had the spacious mansion reflect his artistic career and life. The 496sqm residence covers three expansive floors complete with two kitchens, two cellars, a workshop, two parking spaces and a private 103sqm garden terrace.

The first floor harbours an entry hall opening to a lofty living room complete with fireplace, as well as two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, mezzanine office and loft.

The second floor boasts a robust interior complete with a bedroom, shower room and aforementioned workshop. The third floor, meanwhile, offers a red bricked industrial kitchen topped with wood beams, sloped picture windows and garden terrace.

The property is currently listed with David Stanley at Emile Garcin Propriétés for approx. $27.3 million.

Emilegarcin.com

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Crown Residences Sets Record Sales

The centrepiece of Sydney’s Barangaroo district – Crown One Barangaroo – has almost completed sale of the luxury properties that inform Crown Residences.

Of the 82 elevated luxury properties, only a small selection of two, three- and four-bedroom residences remain available – as well as a duplex penthouse.

While the price remains undisclosed, the latter is set to run to a decent figure (large two-bedroom, two-bathroom residences are currently on from $9.5 million) and boasts jaw-dropping panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, 6-bedrooms, multiple living spaces, 6.5-metre double-height ceilings, a media room and a wine room.

Even with properties remaining, Crown Residences has shattered existing sales records, pointing to the strength and allure of the Australian prime property market, even during the pandemic.

“Crown Residences at One Barangaroo has achieved a record $650 million in sales including an unprecedented 12 transactions over $20 million to date,” states Erin van Tuil, partner Crown Residences at One Barangaroo. “Despite the pandemic, we are experiencing a record number of enquiries and sales are performing phenomenally well.”

Designed by award-winning British architecture firm WilkinsonEyre, Crown Sydney’s petal-like formation sees each residence unique in size and layout and complete with dual or triple aspect views of Sydney Harbour and its surrounds.

Residents will also have access to hotel services from Crown Sydney – such as daily maid services, the hire of a private chef or wine sommelier, along with access to all the amenities such as the Balinese inspired resident’s pool, a luxury gym and more.

Six-star hotel features aside, the residences also rest above what is set to become Sydney’s bets new luxury dining quarter, the planned precinct set to feature, song others, Nobu, Woodcut by Ross and Sunny Lusted, a’Mare by Alessandro Pavoni, as well as sustainable local options from Michelin starred chef Clare Smyth which residents will be able to order up to their homes.

onebaragaroo.com